The ConnectED Cohort
Designed for independent schools, the ConnectED Cohort program empowers school communities to effectively navigate complex topics — including the Israeli-Palestinian story and antisemitism — and equip students with essential skills in media literacy and dialogue across difference.
Through curricular resources, professional development, guest speakers, and a vibrant community of educators, we collaborate closely with schools to design tailored programs that reflect their distinct missions and goals.
What the ConnectED Cohort program includes
Educational resources
Full access to ConnectED’s resource library through a dedicated online platform.
Professional development
Access to five professional development tracks, open to faculty members and administrators from each participating school.
Role-specific gatherings
Role-specific gatherings for Heads of School, Assistant/Associate Heads, DEIB Heads, and Key Leaders, providing space for candid conversation around ConnectED topics and shared challenges.
Speaking event
One included speaking event per year (for students, faculty, and/or parents) with a member of the ConnectED Speaker Bureau.
In-person conference
Five complimentary passes to an annual in-person conference for faculty and school leaders from each participating school.
Additional opportunities
Optional customized offerings available at an additional cost, including student workshops, professional development, curriculum planning, 1:1 coaching, additional speaking events (ConnectED Speaker Bureau), and parent programming.
2026-2027 program
$7,500 annually
$5,000 annually
Registration is now open for the 2026-2027 program.
Spaces are limited.
Not ready to reserve a spot?
Reserve your spot
Registration for the 2025/26 program is now closed. Please check back in February 2026 for registration for the 2026/27 program.
Questions? Contact Sara Himeles, Program Director
2025-2026 program
Registration will be opening soon for the 2025-2026 program. If you’re interested in exploring this opportunity for your school, please complete this form, and we’ll let you know when spots become available for new schools.
Professional development tracks
The 2026–2027 ConnectED program will feature five professional development tracks encompassing core ConnectED topics. Each participating school receives unlimited seats across all five tracks, available to any faculty member or administrator.
Each track includes five sessions throughout the year: four virtual webinars and one in-person session at the annual ConnectED Conference.
The Complex History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
with Dr. Jonathan Golden
An in-depth exploration of the historical roots, multiple narratives, and enduring complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, designed to equip educators with the knowledge, nuance, and confidence to teach this history responsibly amid the often polarized conversations surrounding it.
Navigating Complexities in Current Events
with Avi Posen
Practical frameworks and guiding principles for turning polarizing moments into educational opportunities — helping students engage thoughtfully with breaking news and sensitive national and global events while grounding discussion in historical context and multiple perspectives.
Making History Matter: Fresh Approaches to Teaching the Holocaust and Antisemitism
with Kelly Fives
Innovative and pedagogically grounded strategies for teaching the Holocaust and antisemitism in ways that foster historical understanding, moral reflection, and meaningful student engagement.
Dialogue Across Difference: Essential Skills for Students
with Yoni Buckman
A skills-based approach to cultivating respectful dialogue, intellectual humility, and constructive disagreement in classrooms and school communities. To participate in this track, your school must sign up for the Dialogue Across Difference Certificate Course.
Media and AI Literacy: Teaching Critical Thinking in a Digital Age
with Michelle Ciulla Lipkin
Tools and strategies to help students analyze and evaluate information, ascertain the credibility of sources, and become empowered, responsible AI and media consumers.
Role-specific tracks for school leaders
Role-specific tracks are available for Heads of School, Assistant/Associate Heads, DEIB Leaders, and other key institutional leaders
These small-group gatherings provide space for candid conversation, shared problem-solving, and community-building around ConnectED’s core topics and the leadership challenges they present. Each track includes three sessions throughout the year: two virtual gatherings and one in-person session at the annual ConnectED Conference. Topics are coordinated in advance with the cohort.
What ConnectED educators have to say
2026-2027 Cohort Schools
The following schools are participating in our cohort:
Bennett Day School, Chicago
Birch Wathen Lenox School, New York
The Brearley School, New York
Brentwood School, Los Angeles
The Buckley School, Los Angeles
The Chapin School, New York
Collegiate School, New York
Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York
Colorado Academy, Denver
The Dalton School, New York
Dwight School, New York
Dwight-Englewood School, Englewood, NJ
Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York
Graland Country Day School, Denver
Greenwood College School, Toronto
Gulliver Preparatory School, Miami
Hackley School, Tarrytown, NY
Harvard-Westlake School, Los Angeles
Hebrew Public Charter Schools, New York
Hopkins School, New Haven, CT
Horace Mann School, New York
Kent Place School, Summit, NJ
La Jolla Country Day School, San Diego
Marlborough School, Los Angeles
The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Miami Country Day School, Miami
Mirman School, Los Angeles
Newark Academy, Livingston, NJ
The Nightingale-Bamford School, New York
Oakwood School, Los Angeles
The Paideia School, Atlanta
Riverdale Country School, New York
St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, MN
Trinity School, New York
United Nations International School, New York
Wildwood School, Los Angeles
Wolcott College Prep, Chicago
The York School, Toronto