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Pathways: Community & Belonging

The work of building cohesive communities comes under many different names—diversity and inclusion, equity and justice, or community and belonging, just to name a few. Episcopal schools lean on their shared Episcopal identity as they weave together the common thread of each of these terms: striving to make schools that are truly welcoming of everyone.

Here are some resources to support your work.

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Recent Webinars for Community & Belonging

Beyond Crisis Management: Leading School Communities in an Age of Anxiety

Today's school leaders are navigating more than isolated crises. They are leading communities carrying the weight of exhaustion, anxiety, polarization, and unresolved trauma. In this webinar, Dr. Valaida Wise examines how the emotional landscape of schools has changed and what effective leadership requires in this new reality. Participants will gain practical insights for fostering dignity, dialogue, trust, and hope in communities seeking steadiness amid uncertainty.

AI in Service of Powerful Learning (Webinar)

Artificial intelligence has disrupted education, but technology alone does not improve learning. The schools making the greatest progress are first defining what powerful learning looks like and then asking how AI can help bring that vision to life. Drawing on lessons from schools in the Responsible AI in Learning (RAIL) community, come explore how schools are designing more powerful learning experiences and using action research to determine what actually improves student outcomes. Attendees…

Episcopal Identity 101 for Administrators & Faculty Leaders 2026 (Webinar)

What makes a school "Episcopal?" How can teachers, administrators, and school leaders new to an Episcopal school better understand, articulate, and live out their school's Episcopal mission, culture, and program? This webinar will explore the distinguishing features of Episcopal schools with a specific focus on the roles of administrators and faculty leaders.

Leading with Dignity: Foster Inclusive Classrooms (Webinar)

We have long known that effective instruction is not one-size-fits-all, however classrooms today include more diverse learners than ever. Join us as we examine approaches that school leaders can take to support staff and further the mission of inclusion, and learn ways to honor student voice, provide meaningful scaffolds, and support diverse learning profiles. Attendees will walk away with simple tools to differentiate instruction, promote independence, and create learning environments rooted…

Respect the Human: Preventing Burnout & Strengthening Staff Retention (Webinar)

Spring is contract season, which makes burnout, intent to stay/leave, and faculty morale especially urgent. This session translates current work-psychology into practical strategies leaders can use immediately: spotting early warning signals of disengagement, introducing restoration practices, and modeling communication that honors dignity while holding boundaries. We’ll connect each practice to Episcopal identity—care of persons, community, and justice—so that retention efforts reinforce mis…

Reimagining Episcopal School Boards for Equity and Inclusion (Webinar)

Board governance is a powerful opportunity to align institutional leadership with the Gospel’s call to equity and justice. Yet for many trustees of color, board service can feel like tokenism or come with a silent burden. This webinar introduces Culturally Affirming Independent School Board Governance (CAISBG), a framework developed through a national study of trustees of color. Participants will explore insights from trustees, reflect on the theological dimensions of leadership, and apply th…

Faith in Action: Strengthening Civic Engagement in Episcopal School Communities (Webinar)

Civic engagement as individuals and institutions plays a foundational role in our society and common life together. Watch this program to explore two fundamental dynamics that can help us lean into our responsibilities for civic engagement and navigate this topic during this moment in our country.

The Three C’s Framework—Affirming the Episcopal Model of School Leadership (Webinar)

In an increasingly complex world, leaders in Episcopal schools—of all faith backgrounds—are called to guide their communities with a deep sense of purpose and compassion that embraces the dignity of each community member. The Three C’s Framework offers a faith-centered leadership model that is anchored by the Baptismal COVENANT, modeled after CHRIST, and oriented towards COMMUNITY. This webinar presents a model of Episcopal school leadership that both affirms and strengthens the great work al…

Building Capacity to Engage Across Difference (Webinar)

We may be familiar with the term civil discourse, but how much do we understand about how to use it as an individual, how to build a community culture for engagement or even its limitations? Join this introductory program to learn more about capacity building for civil discourse and how conversation to enhance our understanding can build our ability to engage across difference, leverage our diversity, and tackle community challenges.
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Latest Articles for Community & Belonging

When Anxiety Starts Making the Decisions

In this insightful piece, Dr. Valaida L. Wise explores how ambient anxiety and societal division subtly creep into school decision-making, threatening to replace purpose with immediate relief. Expanding on the themes of her recent webinar on the same topic, Dr. Wise offers school leaders a grounded framework for leaning into mission and human dignity when navigating complex community dynamics. Readers will gain actionable perspective on maintaining trust, supporting faculty and families, and…

NAES Guidance on Accepting Public Funding for Private School Tuition

As Episcopal schools, we are committed to creating communities that welcome, affirm, and sustain students and families from diverse backgrounds. As schools discern their paths forward, this resource offers guidance to heads of school, trustees, and other leaders in making thoughtful, mission-driven decisions. The article also includes a sample board agenda and a simple breakdown of key opportunities and challenges.

The Three C’s Framework: A Leadership Model for Episcopal Schools Anchored in Faith and Community

In an increasingly complex and diverse world, leaders in Episcopal schools are called to guide their communities with a deep sense of purpose, compassion, and inclusivity. "The Three C’s Framework" offers a comprehensive leadership model that is deeply rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus and designed to foster a sense of belonging and communal well-being within Episcopal Schools. The framework is anchored by the Baptismal Covenant, a central tenet of the Episcopal School tradition that…

NAES Culture and Climate Survey for Administrators, Faculty, and Staff

The NAES Culture and Climate Survey for Administrators, Faculty, and Staff is one of the resources developed by NAES in response to member schools requesting tools to support their efforts to strengthen and sustain their Episcopal identity and commitment to inclusion. This survey is designed to be one element of your school's ongoing reflective process by providing data from administrators, faculty, and staff about how Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice exist in the school's pro…

An Investigation of Support Resources for Heads of Color to Promote Well-Being, Persistence, and Retention

This research delves into the experiences of heads of color in independent schools, uncovering the factors that support and hinder their success. By examining the unique challenges and triumphs at NAES member institutions, the study reveals how shared values can positively impact their leadership journeys. Key findings emphasize the critical need for holistic board training, robust support networks for educators of color, and targeted strategies for recruitment, transition, and integration of…

NAES Statement on Inclusion and Episcopal Identity

As the past months have clearly shown us, Episcopal schools need support in their efforts to grow as communities committed to the work of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, and to be able to draw upon their very foundation as Episcopal schools in order to find inspiration, understanding, and courage for this work. The following statement hopefully serves as a reaffirmation, reminder, and recalling of our schools to the vital link between DEIJ work and our Episcopal identity. In essence…

DEI and Episcopal Identity…A Partnership Worth Having

Episcopal Identity and DEI work should go hand in hand, together 24/7 and every day of the school year. Taking time to develop a relationship between the person(s) responsible for maintaining our Episcopal identity AND the person(s) responsible for ensuring we are equitable and inclusive is the only way towards justice.

Episcopal Diocese of Haiti Partnership Program Official Guidelines

These guidelines, as prepared by The Rev. Dr. Kesner Ajax, Coordinator of the Partnership Program for the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, are a series of best practices for schools and churches in North America who want to establish or strengthen relationships with their counterparts in Haiti.

Book & Video Series: Making Room for Everyone

For ages 3-11. Working with the same overall themes of his first book, Building a Children's Chapel: One Story at a Time, Bill Gordh presents a wide range of folktales from around the world, stories from different faith traditions, and some updates of the original volume. The stories are presented to be told aloud, complete with storytelling tips and musical suggestions for each. Thirty-five curated folktales and stories from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, African, Asian, Scandinavian,…
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Upcoming Events for Community & Belonging

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit: What Schools Need to Know Now

October 28, 2026
Zoom Meeting

Learn to identify SGOs, engage donors, anticipate impact, and consider key questions.

Biennial Conference 2026

November 18–20, 2026
JW Marriott L.A. LIVE
Los Angeles, CA

The premiere national gathering of Episcopal educators.

Episcopal Identity Summit

November 10–12, 2027
New York, NY

A landmark gathering exploring the culture and character of Episcopal schools.

Join the Online Community

The NAES Online Community is the best way for members to connect and collaborate. Get started with the Online Community today by creating a profile or signing in to your NAES account.

VISIT THE COMMUNITY

Top Products for Community & Belonging

  • About Episcopal Schools, 2nd Ed.

    This full color poster and pamphlet, newly updated and revised in 2022, examines the key characteristics common to all Episcopal schools, including aspects of Episcopal identity, faith-life, chapel, moral development, academic excellence, and social justice.

    This publication is pamphlet-sized, but can be unfolded and used as a poster. Perfect for use in admission and development information kits, as a faculty/staff training resource or as a general information tool. Available only to members and affiliate members.

    This product is exclusively for NAES members. Log in to place an order for this item.

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  • Principles of Good Practice for Equity and Justice in Episcopal Schools

    By weaving the principles of equity and justice into the very fabric of the school’s overall life, Episcopal schools ensure that their missions are built on the sure foundation of a Christian love that guides and challenges all who attend our schools to build lives of genuine meaning, purpose and service. Adopted by the NAES Governing Board in 2013, this document outlines ideals to which Episcopal schools aspire. It is intended to assist Episcopal schools of all sizes and constellations in their efforts to develop meaningful programs, policies, and curricula, and serves as a useful tool for the ongoing assessment of this work.

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  • Reasons for Being: The Culture and Character of Episcopal Schools, 2nd Ed.

    Reasons for Being: The Culture and Character of Episcopal Schools, first published in 1997, is a collection of essays on foundational, mission-related topics central to Episcopal school identity, governance, and leadership. Newly updated in 2010 and written by Episcopal school leaders and NAES staff members, the fifteen essays examine: the mission and Anglican ethos of Episcopal schools; the history of Episcopal schools and their relationship to the Episcopal Church; the head of school’s role; the school as a spiritual community; chapel and worship; religious studies; religious pluralism; early childhood education; community service; and Episcopal schools as just communities. Each essay includes suggested questions for discussion and reflection.

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Connect with NAES

We’re here for you! To learn more about how NAES supports your school, contact Claire Leheny, NAES Director of Engagement, by calling (212) 716-6135 or by emailing claire@episcopalschools.org.

EMAIL CLAIRE

More Resources for Community & Belonging

Culture and Climate Dashboarding Tool
NAES Statement on Inclusion and Episcopal Identity
Principles of Good Practice for Equity and Justice in Episcopal Schools