"My task is to think of innovative technology for future robotics missions and implement them," Dr. Ayanna Howard, 2002. [10-minute read]

Early in her career as a roboticist (and long before Matt Damon colonized Mars), Dr. Ayanna Howard, ATLIS 2019 Opening Keynote Speaker, described her work for NASA in a way that aligns with the responsibilities of independent school technology leadership. Technology is at the heart of one of the foremost challenges our schools face: preparing our students to succeed on missions we can barely currently describe. Our Annual Conference theme for 2019 is “Deep in the Heart of TECHness.”

Are you thinking about writing a proposal for the ATLIS Annual Conference in Dallas? Do you find yourself hesitating for any number of reasons? Ask yourself, instead, why you SHOULD submit a proposal. Here are 9 reasons why. -- SD

[10-minute read]

In this post, ATLIS Executive Director Sarah Hanawald shares her reflections on our Annual Conference, held last month in Crystal City, Virginia. The cherry blossoms were in bloom, the conversation flowed, the speakers inspired, and the keynotes pushed our thinking. Here Sarah looks back on conference highlights and looks forward with new and evolving programs that have been launched. -- SD

[10-minute read]

The Crucial Role of Technology Leadership: An Interview with Donna Orem

Earlier this year, ATLIS Executive Director Sarah Hanawald sat down with NAIS President Donna Orem to talk about the role of technology leaders in independent schools today. What follows in this candid interview provides insight into how technologists can help move other school leaders move toward innovation in the face of disruptions and struggle to adapt to the changing world around us. -- SD

We are thrilled to have Vidigami's support as a Platinum Sponsor of our Annual Conference in Crystal City, Virginia, April 15-18. We are reposting this March 5, 218 blog from the Vidigami website as an introduction to the workshops Vidigami will host at the conference (plus contests!) and to the photo portal they will provide to the ATLIS community for the coming year, starting at the conference. We look forward to sharing photos with you about the learning that is happening at your schools and in your own professional lives. -- SD

[10-minute read]

Recently, Sarah Hanawald, Executive Director of ATLIS, had the opportunity to interview Tricia Edwards, Head of Education for the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History. Edwards, who will present the Tuesday Keynote for our annual conference, shared her back story as an educator and the evolution of the SparkLabs at the Smithsonian. View the video of their conversation for a sneak peak into our offerings for the ATLIS Annual Conference in April. -- SD

(5-minute read; video)

As schools design for innovation and change by offering critical professional development for teachers, hacking schedules, implementing school-wide initiatives from the top, or revamping the very nature of the classroom -- education leaders now must examine physical spaces as landscapes for reinventing learning. Yet, are technologists invited to the table as those changes are envisioned, designed, and implemented?  -- SD

(10-minute read)

Lots of people have trouble turning their grand ideas or best practices into a presentation, even if they know their content backwards, forwards, and sideways. They freeze up despite the huge need the audience may have for what the proposal writer hopes to share. You may feel daunted by the writing, or you may not feel that you have put all the pieces of your idea together yet. This post can help you get started with the proposal writing process for ATLIS 2018. Remember, the proposals are due on September 30! -- Susan Davis, Professional Development, ATLIS

You can find a video of the webinar I made on proposal writing here. See a preview of what's on the submission form here.

As we studied the responses of this year’s attendees to our annual conference held last month in Los Angeles, we were pleased to find that the data reinforced the positive zeitgeist we had detected from personal interactions with attendees. We saw that you valued the inspiration of both keynotes and that you sought information and new connections to stretch your thinking. You found your investment of time and money yielded important interaction with trusted mentors and colleagues. This was the magic of the 2017 ATLIS annual conference: a community abuzz with the opportunity to learn together.