Board Chair/Clerk & Head of School Brunch

presents

Next Level Listening:
How to Be the
Best Listener in the Room

In today’s independent schools, where campus constituents span a broad spectrum of thought, belief, and background, school leaders need more than just vision—they need to be the best listeners in the room. 

In this hands-on address, we’ll explore how high-quality listening is not just a skill but a leadership superpower.

Participants will learn and practice listening strategies and approaches championed by professional, certified leadership coaches. As a result, leaders will emerge equipped with an understanding of a skill set strong enough to transform any school, home, or relationship. From engaging with upset parents to addressing faculty concerns to caring for students in crisis to navigating the current, polarizing political environment, with next-level listening skills at the ready, participants will be equipped to lead via high-quality listening, thereby modeling civil discourse for all campus constituencies and cultivating communities, where deeper understanding and compassion are the norm, not the exception.

About the Speaker

Bradley James Davies is an award-winning, best-selling author, speaker, and coach with over 25 years of corporate and nonprofit leadership experience (from consulting to international development to education to driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile!). Davies is also the founder of Falkor, a leadership and life consultancy dedicated to helping clients lead better, live better, and love better.

As an ICF-certified (PCC) leadership coach trained at Georgetown University, Davies clients span all sectors, from technology and entertainment to government and education, and all levels of leadership, from rising stars to c-suite veterans. 

A strategic listening expert and dedicated leadership wellness practitioner, Davies speaks and facilitates workshops on “Next Level Listening,” “Next Level Leadership,” and “Next Level Wellness.” 

Davies’ first book, School Leadership from A to Z: How to Lead Well Without Losing Your Way, is about the ups, downs, and all-arounds of school life and leadership. 

Born and raised in Minnesota to a bricklayer dad and bookworm mom, Davies calls Crested Butte, Colorado and Madrid, Spain home. Learn more about Davies at www.bradleyjamesdavies.com 

Barbara Kraus-Blackney Visionary Service Award 

recognizes an individual or organization, usually a volunteer, for their commitment to independent education. ADVIS celebrates the fact that our individual schools, and independent schools in general, are stronger and more viable for the gifts of talent, time, energy, and resources from those volunteers that recognize the lasting positive effects our schools have on our society. We are honored to announce the 2024-25 recipients:

Dorothy Flanagan and Sandy Howze, 
Founders of Stratford Friends School

In 1976, Dorothy Flanagan and Sandy Howze founded Stratford Friends School to serve bright students who needed a specialized, nurturing environment to reach their full potential. Their unwavering commitment to student success led them to develop tailored instructional approaches that met the unique needs of children with learning differences. Through their leadership, they built a school culture where educators had both the knowledge and creativity to truly understand and support their students. As a

 result, Stratford Friends opened doors that would have otherwise remained closed, empowering hundreds of children with the skills and confidence to pursue brighter futures.

Beyond Stratford Friends, Dorothy and Sandy recognized the broader need for schools dedicated to supporting students with learning disabilities. They actively collaborated with

 institutions such as Delaware Valley Friends, Quaker School at Horsham, and The Mary McDowell Friends School, providing guidance, resources, andcurriculum support. Their contributions helped shape safe, engaging, and effective learning environments for countless students beyond their own school’s walls.

Their dedication extended into their service within the broader educational and Quaker communities. As active members of the Lansdowne Friends Meeting and the Chester Quarterly Meeting, as well as PBIDA and IDA, they worked to advance best practices in education and advocacy for students with learning differences.

Dorothy and Sandy exemplify the core values of independent education—creativity, adaptability, and an unwavering focus on student needs. Their visionary leadership and collaborative spirit have not only transformed the lives of the students they served but have also uplifted educators and institutions striving to do the same. Their legacy is one of innovation, inclusion, and a steadfast belief in the potential of every child.

THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM SPONSORS

 and to OUR PREFERRED SPONSORS