EduLead 2025: Full Schedule

9:45am CST

Belonging at TAS: Insights from Focus Groups and the Path Forward

Friday May 9, 2025 9:45am - 11:00am CST

Taipei International School continues its commitment to fostering a school community grounded in dignity and respect. Over the past two years, Dr. Gay has worked closely with TAS, engaging students, parents, faculty, staff, and the board to deepen understanding and strengthen efforts around belonging. During his most recent visit in October, he conducted focus groups to gather insights into the lived experiences within the school, identifying key strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth.

In this session, Dr. Gay will share themes that emerged from these discussions, placing them within the larger context of belonging in international schools. Parents and students will engage in meaningful conversations to explore what these findings reveal about the TAS experience and how they can inform efforts moving forward. Participants will also learn about research-based strategies that support a culture of dignity and respect, fostering stronger connections within the school community. This session provides an opportunity to reflect on progress, reinforce shared commitments, and consider ways to further strengthen belonging at TAS.

Speakers

Dr. Derrick Gay

Dr. Derrick Gay is a globally recognized Belonging and Intercultural Strategist, dedicated to fostering cultures of dignity and respect. With multifaceted expertise as an international speaker, author, researcher, educator, and university lecturer, Dr. Gay empowers individuals and... Read More →

Friday May 9, 2025 9:45am - 11:00am CST
Harmony Theater

Whole Community (Anyone)

11:15am CST

Fostering Cultures of Dignity and Respect: The Educator’s Role in Addressing Bullying and Identity-Based Harm LIMITED

Friday May 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm CST

Harmony Theater

Bullying and identity-based harm are pervasive challenges in international schools, impacting student well-being, academic success, and overall school climate. However, not all harm constitutes bullying. This interactive workshop introduces Dr. Gay’s Fostering Cultures of Dignity and Respect framework, equipping educators with research-based strategies to recognize, address, and prevent harmful behaviors while distinguishing between bullying, conflict, and teasing.

Grounded in evidence-based approaches, this session shifts schools beyond punitive discipline toward proactive, belonging-centered practices. Through discussion, reflection, and case studies, educators will examine their role in setting norms, modeling inclusive behavior, and fostering student agency in creating a respectful school climate. Participants will explore the defining characteristics of bullying, understand how differences are used to marginalize peers, and learn interventions that mitigate and address harm. Additionally, they will gain practical strategies to build a culture where all students feel seen, valued, and safe—ensuring a school environment that prioritizes dignity, respect, and inclusion.

Speakers

Dr. Derrick Gay

Friday May 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm CST
Harmony Theater

Teachers/Staff/Administrators Session

1:30pm CST

Fostering Cultures of Dignity and Respect: Creating a Safe and Inclusive School Community LIMITED

Friday May 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm CST

Harmony Theater

Schools thrive when students, parents, and educators work together to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and safe. However, not all harm is bullying, and understanding the differences between conflict, teasing, and bullying is essential. This session introduces Dr. Gay’s Fostering Cultures of Dignity and Respect framework, equipping students and parents with research-based strategies to recognize, address, and prevent harmful behaviors. Participants will gain a clear understanding of bullying—its defining characteristics of intentional harm, power imbalance, and repetition—and explore how it manifests physically, verbally, socially, and online. With the increasing role of social media in students' lives, the session will also highlight the impact of cyberbullying, including harmful messages, exclusion, and the rapid spread of rumors.

The session will examine why bullying happens, unpacking the social dynamics that contribute to harmful behaviors, such as peer pressure, insecurity, group hierarchies, and bystander behavior. Students will be empowered with practical tools to respond effectively, whether experiencing bullying themselves or witnessing it happen to others. They will learn strategies to become active bystanders, safely intervene when appropriate, and seek support from trusted adults. Special attention will be given to navigating online spaces, including recognizing harmful digital behaviors, setting boundaries on social media, and knowing when to report online harassment.

Speakers

Dr. Derrick Gay

Friday May 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm CST
Harmony Theater

Whole Community (Anyone)

9:45am CST

Belonging at TAS: Insights from Focus Groups and the Path Moving Forward LIMITED

Saturday May 10, 2025 9:45am - 11:00am CST

Harmony Theater

Taipei International School remains deeply committed to fostering a school community grounded in dignity and respect. Over the past two years, Dr. Gay has partnered with TAS to support and refine these efforts, working closely with faculty, staff, students, parents, and the board. During his most recent visit in October, he conducted focus groups to examine the lived experiences within the school, gathering valuable insights into TAS’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth.

In this workshop, Dr. Gay will present key themes that emerged from these discussions, situating them within broader trends in international schools. Participants will engage with research-based frameworks to deepen their understanding of belonging and learn strategies that support meaningful and sustained progress. Through guided conversations, they will discuss key insights, explore their implications, and consider how these findings can inform ongoing efforts at TAS. This session will provide an opportunity to connect past and present work, reinforcing a shared commitment to fostering a culture where all members of the community experience a strong sense of belonging.

Speakers

Dr. Derrick Gay

Saturday May 10, 2025 9:45am - 11:00am CST
Harmony Theater

Teachers/Staff/Administrators Session

11:15am CST

Strategies to Address Identity-Informed Harm LIMITED

Saturday May 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm CST

Harmony Theater

Most families choose international schools for their children so that they are exposed to a wide range of backgrounds, including different nationalities, languages, religions, and perspectives, fostering open-mindedness and strategically positioning students for success in a multicultural and globalized world.

However, these very identity differences are used by students as the basis for identity-informed harm and jokes, where stereotypes about someone's background become the punchline. This issue undermines the inclusive and respectful cultures of dignity and respect that international schools strive to foster.

During this interactive session, participants will explore the latest research on the specific differences students exploit to leverage power and inflict harm. They will also gain insights into the types of jokes students use to perpetuate these stereotypes. Through a detailed case study, attendees will apply Dr. Gay's DEIB Action Protocol, providing a structured framework for understanding, processing, and designing effective intervention strategies to combat these harmful behaviors and promote a more inclusive school community.

Speakers

Dr. Derrick Gay

Saturday May 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm CST
Harmony Theater

Whole Community (Anyone)

1:30pm CST

Reframing Diversity as Belonging LIMITED

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm CST

Harmony Theater

As explicit attacks on “DEI” in the United States continue to unfold, we are navigating the impact on international education, particularly through shifts in federal funding priorities and institutional commitments and the displacement of thousands of international families who work for USAID. At a time when “DEI” efforts face growing scrutiny, this is not the moment to step back, but rather to sustain and deepen this work in ways that are both strategic and sustainable. Our shared commitment to fostering inclusive communities grounded in dignity and respect, while also ensuring the protection of the most vulnerable in our international school communities, remains more critical than ever. 

In this reflective, actionable session, we will explore ways to move forward, ensuring that your school’s efforts are data-driven, aligned with long-term institutional goals, and grounded in change management best practices will be essential to upholding your school’s mission.

Speakers

Dr. Derrick Gay

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm CST
Harmony Theater

Whole Community (Anyone)

3:00pm CST

Closing Remarks LIMITED

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:00pm - 3:20pm CST

Harmony Theater

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:00pm - 3:20pm CST
Harmony Theater