Strategenius
Virtual Career Fair
and Networking Event

01-25-2025 ❖ 9:00am - 12:00pm Pacific Time

Welcome

Join us on January 25, 2025, for the premier virtual career fair and networking hosted by Strategenius, a leading search firm dedicated to connecting independent schools with outstanding talent.

Strategenius is known for partnering with schools committed to equity, and connecting them with a diverse and dynamic network of educators and leaders.

This virtual career fair provides school administrators the unique opportunity to connect with a curated pool of candidates, review resumes, conduct interviews, and explore ethical recruitment and retention practices through a series of mini-workshops. Administrators will gain valuable insights into fostering inclusive hiring practices that promote excellence and equity.

Candidates attending the fair will have access to exclusive job opportunities at schools both nationally and internationally, engage in real-time interviews for current and upcoming roles, and participate in workshops designed to strengthen their candidacy and advance their career trajectory in independent school education.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and take the next step in your educational career with Strategenius at your side.

Why Attend

For Candidates

The Strategenius Career Fair is a unique opportunity for educators and leaders to connect with independent schools that prioritize excellence, diversity, and equity in education. For those looking to take the next step in their careers, this event offers a supportive and empowering environment to explore potential positions, learn valuable career-building strategies, and gain insights into the independent school landscape.

Exclusive Job Opportunities: Gain access to a wide range of teaching and leadership roles in independent schools, including roles not publicly advertised. This is a rare chance to connect directly with school administrators seeking exceptional talent.

Real-Time Interviews: Candidates have the opportunity to interview for current and upcoming positions with schools ready to meet their next great hires. Prepare to make a lasting impression and take a proactive step in your career journey.

Workshops to Strengthen Your Candidacy: Attend workshops led by experts on topics like resume building, interviewing skills, and career trajectory planning. These sessions are designed to enhance your professional presentation and make your application stand out.

Network with School Leaders and Peers: Build meaningful connections with administrators from schools that prioritize equity and excellence, as well as with other talented educators and leaders in the field.

Commitment to Equity in Hiring: Strategenius partners exclusively with schools committed to creating inclusive communities, ensuring that candidates join schools aligned with their values and dedicated to positive change in education.

For Schools

Access to Top Talent: Discover exceptional candidates actively seeking positions in teaching and leadership roles. Strategenius specializes in finding individuals whose qualifications and values align with the mission of independent schools. Schools will be able to review resumes in advance and setup interviews during the event for both current and future openings.

Diversity and Equity Focus: As one of the only BIPOC-owned search firms in the independent school space, Strategenius offers access to a network of diverse educators and leaders, supporting schools in building a more inclusive faculty and staff. Our track record speaks for itself.

Ethical Recruitment Insights: Attend mini-workshops on recruitment and retention strategies, designed to enhance ethical hiring practices and improve long-term retention. These sessions are led by industry experts and tailored to address the unique challenges faced by independent schools.

Streamlined Hiring Process: With opportunities to review resumes and interview candidates on the spot, schools can fast-track their hiring process and identify potential fits for both current and future openings.

Commitment to Professional Growth: Strategenius’ dedication to ethical recruitment extends to empowering candidates, fostering a pipeline of educators who are well-prepared and eager to contribute to their next school community.

Agenda

Agenda

01/25/2025 08:45 am

to
09:00 am

Partnering with Strategenius

Explore what it truly means to partner with Strategenius, a search firm dedicated to supporting independent schools in building a diverse, inclusive community. This workshop will cover Strategenius’s approach to sourcing and matching exceptional, diverse candidates with schools’ unique missions and cultures, helping institutions deepen their commitment to inclusivity and representation. Join us to learn more about how Strategenius can be your trusted partner in fostering a richer, more inclusive educational environment.

speaker headshot

Ara Brown
Senior Search Consultant, Strategenius

speaker headshot

Julie Brown
Director of Operations, Strategenius

01/25/2025 09:00 am

to
12:00 pm

Conversations between Candidates and Schools

Experience a dynamic networking session where candidates and schools connect in a virtual setting. This dedicated time allows candidates to share their strengths and aspirations while learning about each school’s unique culture and opportunities. Schools will have the chance to highlight open roles, meet potential hires, and engage in preliminary interviews. It’s a valuable opportunity to establish connections, explore career paths, and discover the ideal fit—all from the convenience of a virtual platform. Schools and candidates can reach out to each other in advance to schedule a 15-minute appointment.

01/25/2025 11:30 am

to
12:00 pm

Teacher Residencies: Building Your School's Talent Pipeline From Within

Looking to strengthen your teacher recruitment and development strategy? Discover how teacher residency programs create a sustainable pipeline of well-prepared educators while elevating professional development school-wide. Learn from experienced program leaders about how residencies transform schools into dynamic learning laboratories where both new and veteran teachers thrive. Perfect for school leaders interested in innovative solutions to teacher recruitment, retention, and professional growth.

speaker headshot

Alex Wenderoff
Director of the New Teacher Academy, The Center for Early Education

speaker headshot

Desiree Ivey
Executive Director, Teacher Training Center, Shady Hill School

speaker headshot

Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI)
Admin Team

speaker headshot

Ara Brown
Senior Search Consultant, Strategenius

01/25/2025 12:00 pm

to
12:30 pm

Mitigating Bias in the Hiring Process

Utilizing a committee in the search and hiring process is an excellent way to involve more voices and perspectives. A committee can work together to develop uniform criteria when reviewing and interviewing candidates. It can also help reduce bias in hiring decisions and help create a more objective and welcoming candidate evaluation process. However, forming search committees and guiding them properly is not necessarily an intuitive or simple process. Attendees of this interactive workshop will learn how best to form a search committee, the process and procedure needed to successfully execute the duties of the committee, and perhaps most importantly, how to mitigate bias.

speaker headshot

Ara Brown
Senior Search Consultant, Strategenius

01/25/2025 09:00 am

to
12:00 pm

Conversations between Candidates and Schools

Experience a dynamic networking session where candidates and schools connect in a virtual setting. This dedicated time allows candidates to share their strengths and aspirations while learning about each school’s unique culture and opportunities. Schools will have the chance to highlight open roles, meet potential hires, and engage in preliminary interviews. It’s a valuable opportunity to establish connections, explore career paths, and discover the ideal fit—all from the convenience of a virtual platform. Schools and candidates can reach out to each other in advance to schedule a 15-minute appointment.

01/25/2025 09:00 am

to
09:30 am

Culture Match Matters: Building Your Workplace Values Compass

Looking for more than just another job? In this interactive workshop for candidates, discover how to identify and evaluate workplace cultures that truly align with your values and working style. Move beyond traditional job search tactics and create your personal 'Culture Fit Compass'—a practical tool to assess potential employers and recognize your ideal work environment. You'll leave equipped with strategies to ask the right questions during interviews and evaluate companies based on what matters most to you. Perfect for job seekers who want to find not just a job, but a workplace where they can thrive.

speaker headshot

Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI)
Admin Team

speaker headshot

Ara Brown
Senior Search Consultant, Strategenius

01/25/2025 09:45 am

to
10:15 am

You Say You Want To Be a Leader, But You Can’t Seem to Make Up Your Mind

Thinking about stepping into a leadership role but unsure what it truly means? Join us for an insightful workshop designed for educators considering leadership within independent schools. This session unpacks the range of leadership positions available and clarifies what “leadership” entails in different contexts. The panelists, seasoned leaders with diverse experiences, will share their unique journeys, illustrating that there is no one-size-fits-all path to leadership. Gain valuable insights, ask questions, and learn strategies to discern which leadership path aligns best with your passions and career goals. Embrace your potential to lead, on your own terms.

speaker headshot

Alex Halladay
Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, The Northwest School

speaker headshot

Jalessa Anselm
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tenacre Country Day School

speaker headshot

John Yen
Director of Technology, Polytechnic School

speaker headshot

Zaira Santiago
Associate Head of School for Special Projects, Beaver Country Day School

speaker headshot

Ara Brown
Senior Search Consultant, Strategenius

01/25/2025 10:30 am

to
11:00 am

Advancing Your Career with an Advanced Degree

Are you considering furthering your education but unsure which path aligns with your career stage? This workshop is designed to guide independent school educators through the diverse options for advanced degrees, from early-career teacher residencies to leadership-focused programs. Our distinguished panelists include representatives from University of Pennsylvania's Independent School Teacher Residency Program, Vanderbilt University's Independent School Leadership Program, and the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University. Each will share insights on their programs, benefits, and how they can shape your professional growth. Discover which degree fits your aspirations and gain clarity on taking your career to the next level.

speaker headshot

Dr. Carrie Grimes
Director, Independent School Leadership Master’s Program at Vanderbilt University, Peabody College

speaker headshot

Dr. Charlotte Jacobs
Director, Independent School Teacher Residency Program, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

speaker headshot

Dr. Nicole Furlonge
Director, Klingenstein Center, Teachers College, Columbia University

speaker headshot

Ara Brown
Senior Search Consultant, Strategenius

01/25/2025 11:15 am

to
11:45 am

Heeding the Call for Headship

Are you feeling the pull toward headship but uncertain how to take the next step? This workshop is tailored for educators who are contemplating the transition into headship roles within independent schools. Join experienced heads of school as they share their personal journeys, discuss challenges and triumphs, and provide candid advice for aspiring leaders. Learn what the role truly entails, the skills you need to develop, and how to position yourself for success. Gain inspiration and practical insights to confidently answer the call to lead a school community. This workshop is sponsored by The Heads Network. 

speaker headshot

Christian Donovan
Head of School, Friends School of Baltimore

speaker headshot

Mariama Richards
Head of School, Crossroads School for Arts and Science

speaker headshot

Shelly Luke Wille
Head of School, Children’s Day School

speaker headshot

Ara Brown
Senior Search Consultant, Strategenius

Workshop Speakers

Alex Halladay

Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, The Northwest School

Alex Wenderoff

Director of the New Teacher Academy, The Center for Early Education

Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI)

Admin Team

Christian Donovan

Head of School, Friends School of Baltimore

Dr. Carrie Grimes

Director, Independent School Leadership Master’s Program at Vanderbilt University, Peabody College

Dr. Charlotte Jacobs

Director, Independent School Teacher Residency Program, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

Desiree Ivey

Executive Director, Teacher Training Center, Shady Hill School

Jalessa Anselm

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tenacre Country Day School

John Yen

Director of Technology, Polytechnic School

Julie Brown

Director of Operations, Strategenius

Mariama Richards

Head of School, Crossroads School for Arts and Science

Dr. Nicole Furlonge

Director, Klingenstein Center, Teachers College, Columbia University

Shelly Luke Wille

Head of School, Children’s Day School

Zaira Santiago

Associate Head of School for Special Projects, Beaver Country Day School

Sponsors

Frequently Asked Questions


Yes, both candidates and schools (recruiters) will need to register for the event. Candidates and Strategenius Member Schools will be able to register for free. Non-Member Schools have a registration fee.
Schools will be able to see your resume and profile in the system. They will then be able to contact you to setup an interview during the event. Your information will not be sold to anyone else or used for any other purposes. It is also important to note that if a candidate’s school is attending the fair, that school will not be able to see that candidate’s resume. In other words, a candidate’s participation in the fair is confidential and won’t be shared with their current employer.
Yes, the vFairs platform is compatible with any computer or mobile device and any browser.
Candidates and Strategenius Member Schools can attend the event for free. Non-Member Schools have to pay a registration fee.
Yes, the workshops will be recorded and will be available for a few weeks after the event.