As a school leader, you oversee the education, safety and well being of students, staff and families in your community. This, no doubt, is one of the most rewarding professions. AND, it can also be challenging and isolating at times. A way of combating the challenge and isolation is to be supported by others, in a “community of care” that shares in this work. VPA is offering a seven session series led by Dr. Joelle van Lent, Clinical Psychologist, along with Veteran Principal, and VPA Assistant Executive Director, Erica McLaughlin. Participants will learn new content together, support one another with real time challenges, share ideas, gain new perspectives and insights that will better support you in your everyday work. Each session will include a focus on high interest topics. Topics will include: Student Discipline, Academic Pressures Post Covid, School Turnover and its Impact on Culture, Supporting Parents Post COVID, etc. Additionally, time will be provided for the group to collectively problem-solve big issues you are facing in your day to day work. 2022-23 Session is Enrolled Dates: Second Thursdays in following months: September 8th, October 13th, November 10th, January 12th, March 9th, April 13th, and May 11th Time: The sessions will be 90 minutes on those Thursday afternoons. We will poll the group about the best afternoon start times, but likely will be 3:15-4:45 or so. Location: Online (Zoom) The group will be polled during the time together to see if and when getting together in person may be possible or of interest. Cost: $495 for an individual, $445 per person if joining as a team of three or more Target Audience: School Leaders, Teacher Leaders, District Leadership Dr. Joelle van Lent is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with children, families, and child serving agencies.Dr. van Lent has expertise as a therapist, clinician, evaluator, consultant, and trainer.Her work focuses on child and adolescent mental health, family therapy, trauma, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.Dr. van Lent’s approach is geared toward fostering resilience and creating communities that support healthy development.She is currently in private practice based in the northwestern part of Vermont and works across the state with schools and agencies Erica McLaughlin Erica McLaughlin is the VPA’s Assistant Executive Director for Elementary Schools, a Veteran Principal of 17 years and the state and NAESP Zone 1 representative for the National Taskforce on Race and Equity. Erica was the Vermont Elementary School Principal of the Year in 2015. She is committed to supporting leaders across the state.