Public Programs

Welcome! The Sofia Center’s public programs are designed to bring together educators from diverse schools and organizations for collegial, dynamic, and aesthetic shared learning. From the importance of play to the role of wonder, from design thinking to place-conscious education, topics and themes are chosen to offer intellectual challenge, invite reflection, and inspire individual and organizational shifts in practice. We hope you will join us.

REFLECT : INNOVATE : ACT

Connect with colleagues. Investigate a topic. Refuel and rethink your practice. Act!

Reflect : Innovate : Act is a monthly series of monthly seminars and workshops open to educators throughout the community. These events encourage professional inquiry and shared expertise, while also offering rich content, inspiration, and an aesthetic experience that honors the passion and hard work of educators. Each month we investigate a different topic or issue, and sessions are led by the Sofia Center Director and educators from across the community. Sofia Center participants represent a wide range of schools and organizations, including public, charter, and private schools, pre-K through university level. Since launching Reflect : Innovate : Act in January 2013, we have been thrilled to welcome educators from over 195 schools and organizations.

March 2018 Event

Please join us. Click on the invitation to register.

The 2017-2018 Reflect : Innovate : Act Series

Recent RIA Program Highlights

RIA Program Topics 2013-Present

Jan2018	What's Your Superpower?	May2015	Year in Review & Mapping the Road Ahead
Dec2017	Colloquy #7: Gender Equity	Mar2015	Ritual & Ceremony in Education
Nov2017	The Power of Story	Feb2015	Colloquy 4: Movement & Learning
Oct2017	When Grief Comes to School: Navigating Grief with Students, Families, & Colleagues	Jan2015	Mindfulness and Education
Sep2017	"Education is an Act of Love" (Paulo Friere)	Dec2014	The Idea Exchange
Apr2017	Ritual + Ceremony in the Schoolhouse	Nov2014	Reggio Emilia & The Wonder of Learning: NM Museum of Natural History & Science
Mar2017	Mindfulness + Education with Special Guest Michelle Duval	Oct2014	Colloquy 3: Place-Conscious Education
Feb2017	Building Authentic Community Partnerships: Pedagogy, Purpose, & Models with Keynote Speaker Dr. Monica Kowal	Sep2014	The Labyrinth of Teaching & Learning
Jan2017	Inspiration 2017	Apr2014	Design Thinking for Educators
Dec2016	Setting the Stage: How We Use Space, Materials, and Design for Learning	Mar2014	Teaching as a Creative Act
Nov2016	Colloquy 6: Teaching + Leading after the Election	Feb2014	Colloquy 2
Oct2016	The Labyrinth of Teaching + Learning, 2.0: Bosque Retreat Center	Jan2014	Social Justice & Cultural Competence
Sep2016	Play + Learning, Play + Leading	Dec2013	Tell Your Story: Educators Voices
May2016	Diversity + Equity: 3 Workshops on Race, Gender, Power and Privilege	Nov2013	Reclaiming Wonder
Apr2016	Restore	Oct2013	Colloquy 1
Mar2016	Educators as Artists: National Hispanic Cultural Center	Sep2013	Listening Matters
Jan2016	Colloquy 5	Sep2013	Building Inspirational & Innovative Professional Development Programs (Sat. Retreat)
Dec2015	Emotional Intelligence	Apr2013	Whats Your Superpower?
Nov2015	Imagination + Learning	Mar2013	Seminars & Conversations
Oct2015	Reflective Practice: Define + Discuss + Design	Feb2013	Mid-Winter Mini Retreat
Sep2015	Teacher Leadership	Jan2013	Share What Works

WILD LEADERSHIP RETREAT

What happens when we lead with a sense of wild possibility? What emerges when we shift the wild ride of leadership from something stressful or out of control to something wonderfully innovative and full of heart? Each spring, the Sofia Center brings together education leaders from public, independent, and charter schools, pre-K through University level, for inquiry, rejuvenation, and strategy focused on leading with intention and passion. Wild Leadership is designed for educators leading at the organizational level.

Wild Leadership retreat leaders have included Elsa Menéndez, education director at National Hispanic Cultural Center; Thomas Hoerr, former head of New City School in St. Louis and author of The Art of School Leadership, Becoming A Multiple Intelligences School, and The Principal Connection, a regular column in Educational Leadership; Tamisha Williams, Director of Adult Equity and Inclusion at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco; Michelle DuVal, director of The Mindful Center, and Sheryl Chard, director of the Sofia Center.

WILD LEADERSHIP 2018

Calling all education leaders! Click on the invitation to register.

EDUCATOR RENEWAL RETREAT

Please join us for a vibrant, restorative gathering of educators – where the focus will be on individual rejuvenation, collective inquiry and reflection, and reconnection with the larger purposes of our work as educators. There will be no talk of standardized tests, assessment protocols, article deadlines, or papers to grade! Instead, there will be rich discussion with colleagues, walks in the beautiful high desert, inspirational readings, and time for your own renewal and reconnection with your calling. This retreat is open to all teachers, pre-K through university level; from public, charter, or independent schools; and whether working in traditional school settings or educational non-profits.

The first educator renewal retreat was held at the beautiful Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Please check back for information about future retreats.

As a public educator and school administrator I have benefited personally from the innovative professional development efforts of Bosque School’s Sofia Center. The Sofia Center offers a place where teachers and school leaders can come together and imagine an educational setting in which the art of teaching is celebrated, whether it is bringing mindfulness into the classroom or engaging young minds with play. I am a better leader and our teachers are better educators – all because of the unique learning opportunities offered by the Sofia Center.

– Julie Radoslovich, Principal/Director at South Valley Academy, Albuquerque