Senior Associate Ralph Jahr attended the AdvancED’s annual Latin American Conference in Atlanta, December 4–6. The theme Dream Big paid homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ralph estimates he has attended this event for the last ten years, at least! In addition to manning the Search Associates table in the exhibitors’ area, Ralph was able to participate actively in a few breakout sessions—one on recruiting trends and another on building better boards.
AdvancED defines itself as a “non-profit, non-partisan organization that conducts rigorous, on-site reviews of a variety of educational institutions and systems to ensure that all learners realize their full potential.” In addition to its 100-plus years of work in school accreditation, the organization is committed to helping 36,000 educational institutions and their millions of educators and students improve by offering on-site reviews, professional development opportunities, and consulting. Founding President and CEO Dr. Mark Elgart and Vice President of Latin America Dennis Klumpp appreciated Search Associates’ representation at the conference. Ralph also enjoyed connecting with Michael Adams, Director of the American School Foundation of Monterrey, Mexico, and a member of the AdvancED Latin American Council.
Katie King, Director of Strategic Foresight Engagement at KnowledgeWorks, gave an enriching keynote speech, focusing on STEM education and its new framework for learner readiness during this time of rapid technological, economic, and social change.
Many international school administrators stopped by the Search Associates (SEARCH) table to visit with Ralph. SEARCH is currently engaged in several leadership searches in the Latin American region, and Ralph was pleased to talk with administrators for some of those schools, along with many candidates considering moves within the next several years. He also spoke with several directors regarding references for aspiring directors with whom they were currently working or had worked with in the past.
Participating in professional development, networking, and offering support are not only priorities for Search Associates, but they are also enriching and exciting. That is why attending conferences such as AdvancED Latin American Conference remains a privilege for us.
