Professional Learning

Connect. Collaborate. LEAD.

VAIS creates professional learning experiences designed for the people and priorities of independent schools. From conferences and institutes to virtual MeetUPs and customized learning, our programs bring together research, best practices, and the collective expertise of the VAIS community. VAIS Professional Learning includes in-person events, virtual events and our popular “MeetUPs,” Custom Professional Learning, and Communities of Practice.

Upcoming In-Person Events

  • Nov 16

    2026 Annual Conference

    The Steward School Richmond, VA

    Join educators and leaders from across the Commonwealth for our biggest event of the year. Experience a day of connection, collaboration, and inspiration designed to elevate your school community.

  • Jan 24-26

    Heads of School Conference

    Williamsburg Lodge Williamsburg, VA

    Join top leaders from Virginia's independent schools for our premier Heads of School Conference in Williamsburg, Va.

  • Feb 18

    Safe & Healthy Schools Conference

    University of Richmond Richmond, VA

    This in-person event is designed for those responsible for keeping everyone safe and healthy at your school.

View All Events

Our popular MeetUPs, available only to VAIS members, are virtual events that bring together colleagues in similar roles from independent schools across Virginia for informal, focused conversations throughout the school year. Find upcoming MeetUP dates, save them to your calendar, and if you are a VAIS member you will receive login information closer to the event date. MeetUPs are offered for Academic Leaders, Business Officers, College Counselors, Data Managers, School Counselors, and Technology Teams.

Find MeetUPs

Virtual events

In addition to our in-person conferences, VAIS Professional Learning uses virtual programming to connect our constituencies across the Commonwealth and provide member schools with access to the most up-to-date thinking in the world of independent schools. Here’s a look at our upcoming virtual events (registration may be required for some).

  • Oct 6

    Fall Momentum MeetUP

    Virtual via Zoom

    Our Fall Momentum MeetUP will feature Dr. Jaqueline Johnson Wilson, who will discuss supporting students with learning differences. Registration is required.

  • Oct 19-23

    Technology Week

    Virtual via Zoom

    Featuring daily doses of learning throughout the week, including an engaging Keynote, practical sessions for you and your team, and fast-paced concurrent sessions with industry experts.

  • Jan 11-15

    Heads & Trustees Week

    Virtual via Zoom

    Tailored specifically for Heads of School and Trustees to explore essential mindsets and skillsets that help educators become stronger collaborators and contributors.

Passions, challenges, opportunities: VAIS Communities of Practice events

The Communities of Practice model of Professional Learning offers a deeper dive within a topical framework, blending in-person and virtual sessions. You will engage with a small group of peers across the VAIS membership to deeply explore a topic of mutual professional interest.

Customize a leadership curriculum to meet your school’s needs.

Custom Professional Learning workshops are offered at individual member schools or regional locations, which allows neighboring schools to pool their resources and benefit from collaboration. VAIS Director of Professional Learning Dr. Darcie TeVault facilitates school-specific workshops to engage your teams and to align with your school’s mission. You can expect your teams to walk away with up-to-date, research-informed knowledge and tools that they can begin applying the very next day. Ideal for back-to-school or end-of-year programming, these workshops can also be integrated into professional development days along the way.

Contact Darcie

Half-Day Workshop

Customized overview of a topic, trend, or technique, with breakout sessions and Q&A (includes Zoom recording if delivered virtually)

  • Location: At your school, in a regional center, or online
  • Fee: $2,500 + travel expenses for VAIS members

Full-Day Workshop

Deeper dives into topics, trends, or techniques or cover multiple aspects in varied modes (includes relevant resources and follow-up)

  • Location: At your school or in a regional center
  • Fee: $4,500 + travel expenses for VAIS members

Here’s what member schools say about our Professional Learning

 

 

“We really dug into how to understand our curriculum connections across grade levels and across departments.”

North Cross School

 

“Our workshop with Dr. TeVault was really informative…. There is a lot of value in reexamining what we think we know, as it may have changed…. It definitely made me think more about differentiation and current thinking and approaches.”

Pinecrest School

 

“She’s very good. What impressed me the most was her connectivity to the teachers. She really understood them in the school context.”

Rudlin Torah Academy

 

“With her warm smile and candid approach, Darcie helped our parents feel more like partners in the process, demystifying educational jargon and breaking down important brain research in teaching and learning into actionable, practical suggestions and strategies to strengthen the home-school partnership.”

Wakefield School

 

“Darcie’s professional development was engaging, purposeful, and tailored to the unique needs of our faculty. She spent considerable time planning and adjusting the content to ensure it aligned with our school improvement goals. Our teachers left not only inspired, but with practical tools and a renewed commitment to strengthening their instructional practice.”

Fuqua School

Bring Professional Learning to your school.

Topic or issue you need to address or dive into? Let VAIS plan a workshop for your school and peer institutions in your region. Contact Darcie TeVault, Ed.D. to get started.

Contact Darcie