MZIMA EDUCATOR RETREAT

Mzima Educator Retreat

San Diego, California

June 21, 2023, to June 24, 2023

The Mzima Educator Retreat is open to teachers, administrators, counselors, social workers, psychologists, and coordinators. Participants will enjoy interactive activities and workshops, bridging connections between educators from across the country and highlighting innovative strategies that have been proven beneficial during this unprecedented time in educational history. The focus of this retreat is to address the education crisis within our schools with regard to educator and student burnout and mental health. Experienced education and mental health professionals will facilitate the retreat workshops and discussions, returning participants to their respective schools and districts as positive, impactful educational influencers.

Retreat objectives:

Enhance educator capacity to improve education and social-emotional outcomes for students.

Enrich team communication to engender synergy and personal agency.

Provide opportunities for educators to rejuvenate and develop wellness practices.

Empower positive educator influencers in their respective educational communities.

Facilitate awareness and connection surrounding personal values, team values, organizational values, and mission.

All-inclusive experience includes:

  • Three-night stay at the resort
  • Nutritious meals and snacks daily
  • Wellness activities and sessions
  • Luncheons with nationally respected speakers
  • Interactive workshops facilitated by mental health and education experts
  • Opportunity to connect and network with education professionals
  • On-site activities and excursions

Location: 

San Diego Mission Bay Resort

1776 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA


For more information: 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 747-444-1669

www.mzimaconsulting.com

Speakers

Dr. Raymond Hart Executive Director at Council of the Great City Schools

Dr. Raymond C. Hart is the Executive Director of the Council of the Great City Schools. Hart, who has more than 30 years of experience in research and evaluation, was previously the Director of Research for the Council, and his work has spanned policy areas such as post-secondary success and college readiness, professional learning communities and school improvement, teacher effectiveness and value-added analysis, early childhood education, and adult and workforce literacy. He has worked with clients from a number of federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of State, the National Science Foundation, and many state and local departments of education.

Hart recently led the Analytic Technical Support Task for the Regional Educational Laboratory – Mid Atlantic. He served as the Executive Director of Research, Planning and Accountability for Atlanta Public Schools, President and CEO of RS Hart and Partners, which is an evaluation and assessment consulting firm, and an Assistant Professor of Research, Measurement, and Statistics at Georgia State University. Prior to his work as a consultant, Hart served as the Director of the Bureau of Research Training and Services at Kent State University. His career began in 1989 as a program director for African American, Hispanic, and Native American students in Engineering and Science.

Hart holds a Ph.D. in Evaluation and Measurement from Kent State University, a M.Ed. with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction – Educational Research from Cleveland State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.


Workshop Facilitators

Cherise Ayers, M.A.

Principal, Equity Supervisor (fmr)

Educational Consultant


Natalya Bogopolskaya, Psy.D.

School Psychologist

Mental Health Consultant


Gabriel DeLong, M.A.

Project Manager and Researcher

Mental Health Consultant


Kendrea C. Hart, Ph.D.

CEO, Mzima Consulting, LLC

Mental Health Consultant


Sarah Kiperman, Ph.D.

Psychologist, Assistant Professor

Mental Health Consultant


Sara-Jean Lipmen, Ed.D.

Instructional Coach

Educational Consultant


Frenda Rodgers, M.S.W

School Counselor (fmr)

Educational Consultant


Matt Turner, Ph.D.

Psychologist

Organizational Consultant


Alisha Williamson, Ed.S.

School Psychologist

Mental Health Consultant


Mzima Educator Retreat Registration

  • All-inclusive experience includes a three-night stay in King bed room, meals, workshops, activities/excursions. Flights not included.

  • All-inclusive experience includes a three-night stay in Double Queen bed room (two registered participants required for this rate), meals, workshops, activities/excursions. Flights not included.

  • How can children and teens learn through play and experiential activities? What memories will students share with friends thirty years from now? Combining research from the fields of Education, Early Childhood Development, Play Therapy, and more, this hands-on session will explore how teachers can offer projects that are equal parts educational and fun! Together, participants will discuss common themes among students who fail to succeed and hear from middle and high scholars about how they experience “fun” at school. After exploring current research, participants will engage in activities designed to foster creativity, joy, and connection. A bank of tools for future use will be shared!

  • This session will overview holistic, asset-focused methods to promote supportive environments for vulnerable youth developing with significant social-emotional and environmental stressors (e.g., economic stress, histories of trauma, immigrant populations, LGBTQ and racially marginalized youth), which have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory of youth development, this workshop examines educators' ability to enhance protective factors by engaging and connecting support systems, including families, health services, community, and faith-based organizations. In addition, this session will discuss the importance of using an ecological approach to promote resilience and post-traumatic growth in the context of supporting youth. Specific school-wide strategies to promote resilience will be presented.

  • During this workshop, participants will discuss practices that promote positive school climates and cultures for faculty and students. In times of conflict, it’s easy to react with harsh responses that inherently blame the other person. Reactive moments can spark negative feelings in fellow staff, students, or families that may be associated with poor student engagement, strained relationships, mental health challenges, and connections to the school-to-prison pipeline. Through evidence-based methods (e.g., conscious discipline, restorative justice), participants will explore approaches to conflict by giving our staff, students, or families opportunities to be heard, understood, and valued. This session will include self-reflection of participant’s preferred communication style, while also reviewing theoretical and practical strategies to respond in moments of disagreements with colleagues within the school setting. Participants will learn how to make moments of conflict moments of opportunity for connection, repair, and growth.

  • This interactive workshop will assist educators in employing a growth mindset within their classrooms and school climate to address the unique needs of this population. Educators in this workshop will develop a working understanding of the effects of executive functioning disorders and how to distinguish them from other common mental health disorders. Additionally, educators will develop and practice practical skills to help students apply a growth mindset, navigate the demands of the school day, and establish positive self-efficacy.

  • This workshop will prepare educators to assist students with school transitions. Transition planning is the school’s effort to ease these transitions by preparing students for the academic, social and structural change of a new level of school. Recent research indicates a smooth transition to ninth grade contributes to students’ success in high school and beyond. The transition between middle school and high school is difficult for a variety of reasons and often leads to student drop-out. College transitions also can be challenging for students. However, proper transition preparation for the first year of college can be fun and rewarding.

  • The primary aim of this workshop is to discuss the responsibility and benefits of schools in facilitating mental health and material supports for students and faculty. This workshop will highlight strategies for addressing secondary trauma (emotional duress that results when an individual hears firsthand trauma) and compassion fatigue (the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of helping others) for educators. Participants will discuss therapeutic practice and policies beyond the clinical provider-client model, that have proven effective in fostering emotional healing within the school setting.

  • This workshop will explore ways to work smarter and be more effective with students while preserving time for self-care. Audre Lorde said, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation." This workshop will outline how educators can and must prioritize self-care to be emotionally healthy and effective in the classroom. Participants will discuss proven strategies to maintain a work-life balance in the face of school challenges and heavy workloads.

  • This workshop will explore how authenticity and positive identity contribute to school faculty and student efficacy, productivity, and overall well-being. Workshop facilitators will provide empirical findings concerning significant determinants of identity and strategies to cultivate positive identity for faculty and students. Authenticity has proven to be effective in promoting connection and fulfillment within educator-student relations and progress. Research indicates students who can cultivate a clear and positive identity after their developmental struggles during childhood and adolescence often advance more smoothly into adulthood.

By checking this box, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Registration: All retreat attendees must be registered participants. The registration fee includes a resort room for three nights, meals, activities, workshops, and excursions.

2. Participation: Retreat attendees acknowledge that the Mzima Educator Retreat is a participatory event, which involves engaging in retreat workshops, activities, and excursions with the intention of building connections and synergy. Attendees understand that participation in the planned activities on the itinerary is expected. Attendees acknowledge that there will be conversations and activities that are geared toward growth and development that may, at times, cause disagreement or discomfort. In order to foster a positive atmosphere, attendees agree to participate in activities and contribute with an open mind and amicable disposition.

3. Deposit: The deposit of $500 will hold the participant's room and space for the retreat and is nonrefundable. The final payment of the balance for the retreat is due May 30, 2023.

4. Payments: Participants will be able to make payments toward registration until May 30th through their personal account page. Participants will receive access to the personal account page on their confirmation email.

5. Refunds: Refunds for deposits will not be issued. In the event that a participant has paid in full and cannot attend due to a major life circumstance (e.g., death or illness), a refund of the amount paid minus the nonrefundable $500 will be issued.

6. Referral Program: Participants will receive $100 off the registration for referring an awesome educator friend/ colleague who registers and pays in full. The referred participant must put the referrers name in the "How did you hear about the retreat?" box and the referrer will receive $100 per person off of the final payment (up to three referrals).

7. Flights: The flight is NOT included in the retreat package. Each attendee is responsible for booking their flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) within the time parameters provided (i.e., arrive on June 21 before 3:00 p.m. and depart on June 24 after 3 p.m.).

8. Airport Transfers: Retreat participants will be responsible for airport to resort transfers from the San Diego International Airport to the resort. The resort is located near the airport. Mzima Consulting can assist guests in coordinating affordable options.

9. Physical Activities: Participants acknowledge that some optional activities during the retreat will require physical exertion (e.g., hiking, yoga, swimming). Participants agree to not participate in these activities if there are limiting health conditions and/or assume all risk if there are limiting physical conditions, preexisting health conditions, and or disabilities that would preclude participation in the physical activities.

10. Food Allergies or Dietary Restrictions: Participants will be provided healthy meals during the Mzima Educator Retreat. Every effort will be made to meet the dietary needs of participants. By agreeing to these terms and conditions, participants agree to inform Mzima Consulting, LLC of all known food allergies and dietary needs and assume all risk in consuming food provided during the retreat.

11. Photography and Video for Promotional Materials: Photos and video footage will be taken during the Mzima Educator Retreat (June 21, 2023 to June 24, 2023) for marketing purposes of Mzima Consulting, LLC, in any and all of its publications, including print or web-based publications. Participants consent and authorize Mzima Consulting, LLC to use their likeness in positive imagery, in photograph, video, or digital media.

12. Assumption of Risk: During the retreat, Mzima Consulting, LLC will adhere to guidelines, policies, and protocols, provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and WHO and require cooperation with these guidelines to keep all participants safe regarding COVID-19. COVID-19 Vaccinations are required for participants. Participants may be asked to provide proof of vaccination. By agreeing to the terms and conditions, you agree to follow these safety protocols and assume all responsibility for all risk, including the possibility of COVID-19 exposure, personal or property damages, or injury that may occur during the retreat. In consideration of voluntary participation in the Mzima Educator retreat, the attendee discharges Mzima Consulting, LLC, and all associated consultants and staff, from all claims, demands, rights, or causes of action resulting from or arising out of, or incident to, participation in the Mzima Educator Retreat.

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