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 250 schools and organizations.
The 2020-2021 Reflect : Innovate : Act Series
Join our mailing list to receive invitations to our monthly events!
October 22nd RIA Event
Recent RIA Program Highlights
RIA Program Topics 2013-Present
| Oct 2020 | Reclaiming Play | Oct 2016 | The Labyrinth of Teaching + Learning, 2.0: Bosque Retreat Center |
| Sep 2020 | The Pedagogy of Love | Sept 2016 | Play + Learning, Play + Leading |
| May 2020 | Emergency : Emerge | May 2016 | Diversity + Equity: 3 Workshops on Race, Gender, Power and Privilege |
| Mar 2020 | The Power of Play *postponed due to pandemic | Apr 2016 | Restore |
| Feb 2020 | Mindfulness & Education with Special Guest Michelle DuVal | Mar 2016 | Educators as Artists: National Hispanic Cultural Center |
| Jan 2020 | Tend the Rituals of the Schoolhouse | Jan 2016 | Colloquy 5 |
| Dec 2019 | Walk Off the Trail--And Find the True North of Your Educator Journey | Dec 2015 | Emotional Intelligence |
| Oct 2019 | Social Justice in the Schoolhouse | Nov 2015 | Imagination + Learning |
| Sep 2019 | The Pedagogy of Love: Exploring the Transformative Possibilities of Centering Love in Our Education Practice | Oct 2015 | Reflective Practice: Define + Discuss + Design |
| May 2019 | Share Your Story: Design with Us | Sept 2015 | Teacher Leadership |
| Apr 2019 | Movie Night: Brilliant Talks + Inspired Dialogue | May 2015 | Year in Review & Mapping the Road Ahead |
| Feb 2019 | Educators as Artists | Mar 2015 | Ritual & Ceremony in Education |
| Jan 2019 | Mindfulness & Education with Special Guest Michelle DuVal | Feb 2015 | Colloquy 4: Movement & Learning |
| Dec 2018 | Winter Stillness: Workshop with ABQ Poet Laureate Michelle Otero | Jan 2015 | Mindfulness and Education |
| Nov 2018 | Colloquy #9: Teaching + Leading with Courage in Troubled Times | Dec 2014 | The Idea Exchange |
| Oct 2018 | Ode to the Natural World | Nov 2014 | Reggio Emilia & The Wonder of Learning: NM Museum of Natural History & Science |
| Sep 2018 | The Pedagogy of Love: Exploring the Transformative Possibilities of Centering Love in Our Education Practice | Oct 2014 | Colloquy 3: Place-Conscious Education |
| May 2018 | The Science of Happiness | Sep 2014 | The Labyrinth of Teaching & Learning |
| Mar 2018 | Colloquy 8: Teaching, Leading & Taking Action in the Aftermath of School Shootings | Apr 2014 | Design Thinking for Educators |
| Feb 2018 | Reflective Practice: Models for Deepening Practitioner Skill & Wisdom | Mar 2014 | Teaching as a Creative Act |
| Jan 2018 | What's Your Superpower? | Feb 2014 | Colloquy 2 |
| Dec 2017 | Colloquy 7: Gender Equity | Jan 2014 | Social Justice & Cultural Competence |
| Nov 2017 | The Power of Story | Dec 2013 | Tell Your Story: Educators Voices |
| Oct 2017 | When Grief Comes to School: Navigating Grief with Students, Families, & Colleagues | Nov 2013 | Reclaiming Wonder |
| Sept 2017 | "Education is an Act of Love" (Paulo Friere) | Oct 2013 | Colloquy 1 |
| Apr 2017 | Ritual + Ceremony in the Schoolhouse | Sep 2013 | Listening Matters |
| Mar 2017 | Mindfulness + Education with Special Guest Michelle Duval | Sept 2013 | Building Inspirational & Innovative Professional Development Programs (Sat. Retreat) |
| Feb 2017 | Building Authentic Community Partnerships: Pedagogy, Purpose, & Models with Keynote Speaker Dr. Monica Kowal | Apr 2013 | Whats Your Superpower? |
| Jan 2017 | Inspiration 2017 | Mar 2013 | Seminars & Conversations |
| Dec 2016 | Setting the Stage: How We Use Space, Materials, and Design for Learning | Feb 2013 | Mid-Winter Mini Retreat |
| Nov 2016 | Colloquy 6: Teaching + Leading after the Election | Jan 2013 | 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, along with education leaders working beyond schools, for inquiry, rejuvenation, and strategy focused on leading with intention and passion.
What is Wild Leadership?
The Wild Leadership Retreat began in 2015 as an exploration of what it means to lead with courage and wisdom, defining wild as going being conventional expectations and doing so with passion. Over the last five years, the Sofia Center has developed a set of eight Wild Leadership principles, informed by a wide range of education scholars and practitioners. These principles offer a vibrant framework for our retreat and a pathway for education leaders as they navigate the challenges of leading with a strong combination of savvy skills and full heart. Please join us to expand your leadership capacity, build your leadership network, and refine your leadership mission.
NOTE: We are in the process of designing a virtual offering for education leaders for Spring 2021.
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