Testimonials
This year's ISEEN Institute was one of the most enjoyable and productive professional development experiences I have had in my career. It provided an opportunity for me to fully understand how the different strands included under the ISEEN "umbrella" can be woven together to provide highly effective 21st century educational experiences for our independent school students. I gained so many ideas that I think will help me help our school improve.
The institute provided the most valuable professional development program I have experienced because it allowed for educators to come together and share the strengths and weaknesses in their programs.
I was amazed at the depth and breadth of the experience and expertise of the participants and the staff. This was my first session with ISEEN and I'm hooked. Any school person interested in developing effective and responsible experiential learning programs at his or her school should make every effort to attend a future ISAN Institute.
I have not been to a better run conference or more been around more passionate people.
So often experiential education is seen as a supplement to a school's program; it felt like a luxury -- but it really was a necessity -- for me as a school head to immerse myself, even for a short time, in a community of outdoor leaders and practitioners. The substance and spirit of the workshops helped reinforce in my mind that the goals of experiential/outdoor education are so consistent with our schools' missions.
I especially appreciated the focus on outcomes and value-added benefits of adventure/experiential programs. Embedding these programs in the curricular heart of our schools is exciting to me and emphasizes that these programs are not just about fun and adventure, but really are about educating global citizens and preparing our students for the challenges of college, the workplace and the global community. The blend of philosophical and practical workshops and discussions provided a great foundation for my thinking as I design and refine the programs at my school.
ISEEN was the kind of conference that not only got me thinking, it actually got me doing. I have already shared what I learned with my school’s department heads and am actively trying to implement some of the "gems" mentioned, so the ideas don't get stored in my memory and then fade away. If you are involved in experiential education ISEEN is worth every minute and dime spent.
This a great collection of individuals and organizations that share common intentions and practices. Trading ideas, seeing what is being done in other programs and getting to know fellow practitioners all contribute to creating continual improvement in our own programs. If our goal is to positively impact the lives of students then sharing, evaluating and refining our thoughts and practices as leaders and administrators is a very practical means to achieve our ends.
The focused nature of ISEEN means that the right people are in the room, discussing the right topics making it a valuable educational opportunity and excellent networking environment for folks working in outdoor and adventure education in Independent Schools.
It is so refreshing to spend quality time with like-minded educators. ISEEN is a chance for those of us in the adventure education field to share ideas, ask each other questions, and challenge ourselves, and the programs we run, to be better. Also, the friendships that begin at this conference continue, and provide a great outlet for discussion throughout the year. Looking forward to the next gathering.
It was so exciting and inspiring to spend four days with other leaders of Adventure Education. The expertise, dedication, and passion sitting in the room made each discussion so rich and enlightening. The surprised reaction I have received when telling folks how amazing the ISEEN Institute was shows me what a unique and special opportunity it is.
It is no coincidence that the top practitioners in a field often seek their equally talented counterparts and, in the process, become even stronger. The sharing and curiosity I saw at the ISEEN conference bodes well for the field of adventure and experiential education and for the schools and organizations present. (Not to mention that this was an incredibly stimulating and fun group to be around!)
I gained more from this ISEEN three days than from many years of other larger conferences. I came away charged, filled with appropriate facts and details, and renewed in my belief that what we are doing really matters, both in our own lives and in the lives of our students
My participation at ISEEN set a new standard for my professional development options in the future. It will be tough to match the networking, information gathers and energy I bring back to Blue Ridge. I've been back a week and already have three other teachers ready to integrate sustainability into their courses. Thanks for all your hard work on the institute and I look forward New Jersey!
This was my second ISEEN conference. I attended the Island School gathering in 2007 and could not have expected a more productive, worthwhile, and meaningful opportunity to network with fellow outdoor educators. I was wrong. The 2008 conference at Albuquerque Academy took it up a notch! The excellent presentations (and there were many) were diverse in scope and relevant to all aspects of my program. As was the case last year, it was invaluable having time-both informal and structured-to discuss program successes and challenges with fellow independent school educators. Lastly, it was a bonus to learn from some of the masters like Reb Gregg and Dan Garvey. See you at Lawrenceville next year!
The best part of the conference this year for me was making connections with other schools that had river programs. Down here in the New Mexico desert there aren't to many other river programs, read none, so you start to feel a little isolated. It renewed my energy to hear the great things other schools were doing, especially with whitewater kayaking, which is where my interest lies.
Your choice of speakers was amazing. From the first day hearing Dan Garvey speak about the promise of our younger generations to Reb Gregg sharing his legal expertise and to all of the other leaders, I sensed a great sense of devotion to outdoor education. As a first-timer, I walked out with motivation and know-how. It was refreshing to feel as though so many of the topics related directly to me and my small program.
The ISEEN Institute exceeded my expectations. It was not only valuable for meeting and networking with other educators with similar programs, philosophies and pedagogy, the sessions also offered practical up to date information on program issues and concerns.
ISEEN was a great opportunity to come together with experiential educators from all over the country, learn about their programs, learn from them and their dearth of experience and be inspired. The conference topics were relevant, current, and really drilled down on topics. I loved the small feel and I got to talk to someone from each program over the four days. It is great to have a network of educators in my field to draw from when I need help with new topics, programs, or just to hash out a new idea.
This conference was really fun and incredibly helpful; this is the only time I have ever returned home with equal parts inspiration and practical advice! Great people, great networking opportunities, very professionally run.
So many of us run fantastic programs in relative isolation, the ISEEN is an opportunity to learn about and share tricks of the trade, as well as challenges with peers from the broader Experiential Education community.
As an experiential educator in a large, traditional, independent school, I have sometimes felt that I work in isolation from the rest of the school community. The ISEEN conference is such an incredible opportunity to connect to a larger community that faces the same challenges and shares the same passion for creating quality adventure programs in their schools. It truly is the most valuable conference I've attended.
ISEEN is the event that I attend every year where I feel most comfortable. I don't have to explain or justify my entire profession when people ask what I do. Every session is pertinent to my program, and I always come away inspired and informed. I'm always surprised what great new ideas I get to steal from other exceptional programs.
ISEEN has provided me with an opportunity not always found in the field of Outdoor Education - the chance to get to know and form connections with my peers. The networking opportunities and problem solving that comes out of informal discussion with people who are in the same profession as you is infinitely valuable. I really was happy to get to know more people in this community, and I look forward to working with the people I met at ISEEN in the future.
It was great not having to spend 10 minutes explaining who I was and where I was from before I could even frame a questions as often happens at other conferences I have attended. Being able to sample the richness of programs from similar schools was what attracted me to the ISEEN.
I can't tell you how invaluable the ISEEN Institute was for me. The amount of one-on-one time I got to spend with knowledgeable people that offered me great insights will greatly diminish the time I waste for years to come. Sharing my experiences and frustrations with others that understand what I do is so unique. My school will never realize what a resource I have found.
My participation at ISEEN set a new standard for my professional development options in the future. It will be tough to match the networking, information gathers and energy I bring back to Blue Ridge. I've been back a week and already have three other teachers ready to integrate sustainability into their courses. Thanks for all your hard work on the institute and I look forward New Jersey!
ISEEN is a wonderful group of people and schools collectively working together for the betterment of all - the quality of the dialog and integrity of the answers to challenging questions is inspirational and productive. Any Independent School Educator working in Adventure type educational programs has lots to gain by participating.
The ISEEN Institute exceeded my expectations. It was not only valuable for meeting and networking with other educators with similar programs, philosophies and pedagogy, the sessions also offered practical up to date information on program issues and concerns.
This conference was really fun and incredibly helpful; this is the only time I have ever returned home with equal parts inspiration and practical advice! Great people, great networking opportunities, very professionally run.
So many of us run fantastic programs in relative isolation, the ISEEN is an opportunity to learn about and share tricks of the trade, as well as challenges with peers from the broader Experiential Education community.
The experience I had at the Island School helped me to feel connected to the world of outdoor education like never before. I've talked shop with other professionals in the field, but having soaked up the energy of my colleagues at a place where they're doing outdoor and experiential education right- immersing students hands on in the environment- has given me a whole new attitude. It's vindicating to work with such dedicated individuals that also find themselves on the fringe of their schools, to a greater or lesser degree, but who want to make a difference more in the mainstream and persevere in their endeavors to do so. I'm excited to continue working with ISEEN and sharing knowledge that will help me to develop the best program possible at my school.
The ISEEN conference was an extraordinary opportunity to network with experiential educators across the country. The format and group size allowed plenty of time for dialog on program design and, most significantly for me, a chance to discuss the successes and challenges of outdoor programming in the independent school setting. Our risk management workshops with Reb Gregg were illuminating. First-hand exposure to Reb’s take on program safety and quality were worth the trip alone. Sincere thanks to the folks at ISEEN—count me in for the 2008 conference in Albuquerque!
ISEEN gives practitioners the opportunity to spend time together to share challenges, successes, and best practices. We work in schools that are for the most part, highly academic and fast-paced. Many of our colleagues do not really understand what we do or the power of the experiences for our students. It is a great boost to be able to have conversations with peers who have shared experiences.
Many of us who run adventure education programs at Independent Schools often feel like we work in a bubble, with many of our academic colleagues not truly understanding the value of our programs. ISEEN provides an intentional forum for me to meet with other program directors and pick their brains on how they deal with certain challenges, learn from their program initiatives and successes, and generally feel that I have a strong group of professional peers whom I can connect with throughout the year. I regularly attend the Association for Experiential Education and Wilderness Risk Managers Conference, but consistently find ISEEN to be my most valuable professional development thanks to the targeted audience and the top quality speakers brought in who share their expertise specifically in light of our unique environments, opportunities and challenges. I highly recommend ISEEN to all directors or outdoor education programs.
ISEEN was a great gathering of adventure program directors dealing with similar issues. Independent schools are unique in their challenges and ISEEN provides a great forum for discussions on common issues. I also really enjoyed the fact that the meeting was hosted by a school with a strong adventure education program and that part of the Institute focused on learning about that school. The networking connections and resources available through ISEEN will keep me coming back.
What I observed at the ISEEN conference at The Island School confirmed what I had learned at various other conferences in the past few years: independent secondary schools are a growing and significant force in adventure programming and have clearly earned their place at the table. I saw in action and worked with an exciting group of adventure program administrators. They are incredibly dedicated, and savvy about the risks and rewards of what they ask students to do. ISEEN is where the action is when it comes to learning and sharing. I recommend ISEEN and its annual conferences to anyone who wants to be taken seriously in this important segment of the outdoor education and recreation industry.
After attending the 2010 ISEEN Institute, I had clarity and purpose on what I do day in and day out. I now have a clear vision on where I want to take experiential education at my school and I know how to get the support I need to create a valuable program for our students.
Best conference I have ever been to; loved the people, the content, and the conversations
Rarely do I attend conferences with such immediate appeal and relevance. I come back inspired and packing new ammunition for future program plans. Folks back at school note the enthusiasm and passion we carry back with us. This was my second year. Count me in for the next ten!
The ISEEN Institute provided me with great long-range ideas and several I was easily able to implement immediately upon my return to school. I made some really important connections with educators and schools that recognize that experiential education is an invaluable part of the future of teaching and learning.
The ISEEN conference has been a great forum to discuss, collaborate, and bring forth emerging directions for experiential education programs at independent schools.
ISEEN is the most relevant and useful workshop for independent school experiential educators and their schools. The workshops provide invaluable insight to the issues we all face in our own schools. I feel honored to be surrounded by an incredible group of educators who are dedicated both professionally and personally to experiential learning.
Each year, ISEEN provides me an inexhaustible well of new ideas, real strategies for implementing improvements in policy, and research based information that demonstrates the efficacy of experiential education. It is my favorite conference of the year. I love it.
This is truly one of the experiences I look forward to each year, whether it's discussing risk management issues during big-group workshops, chatting about academic connections to outdoor settings over dinner with colleagues, or being able to ask candid questions of the heads of prominent schools while getting a coffee. Each year I come away with new perspectives and new friends.
It was fabulous to be welcomed into such a genuine and passionate organization. Every day I found myself in conversations that were stimulating and inspired me to do more within my own programs. I truly enjoyed being a part of something so profound.
I found the ISEEN conference was a great vehicle for networking with other EE leaders (within and outside of my region), for developing camaraderie across the EE specialization groups as we work towards shared outcomes, and for recharging my energy to catalyze forward momentum with experiential education at my school and beyond.
I didn't know what to expect and even those expectations were exceeded. This conference was entirely useful, peopled with passionate souls and created to address the unique challenges experiential educators face. Good job to all, presenters and participants.
It was inspiring and fun to spend so much time with people who are passionate, committed, smart and professional. I left the conference with lots of great ideas and resources to take back to my work at my school.
ISEEN offers a great opportunity to connect with other people working outside of the "box".