2026 Annual Conference
Presbyterian Day School
4025 Poplar AvenueMemphis, TN 38111
Overview
The Annual Conference of the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools is the organization's signature opportunity for educators to grow together. In 2025, the Annual Conference brought together nearly 600 teachers, leaders, visionaries, and resources from across Tennessee and the Southeast. Over 180 presenters led 100+ sessions highlighting the robust work of TAIS teachers and leaders. The 2026 TAIS Annual Conference will be held at Presbyterian Day School in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 8th and 9th.
Target Audience: All school roles
Parallel Event: 2026 Heads' Retreat
Focus & Form: See What Matters. Create What’s Next.
In a fast-paced world saturated with 10-second clips and automated solutions, attention is fragmented, human connection is strained, and clarity in decision-making is diminished at every level. The 2026 TAIS Annual Conference invites educators and school leaders to look more closely, practice discernment and articulation, and shape learning and leadership with greater purpose. Join us in looking to art and innovation to build the skills needed to lead our school communities with vibrancy and greater intention.
Agenda
| November 8 | |
| 1:00 PM | Parking Opens |
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Registration |
| 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 1:55 PM | Welcome |
| 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM | Sunday Keynote Seeing Our Collective Purpose as Engines of Hope with Ross Peters |
| 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM | Breakout Session I |
| 4:10 PM - 5:00 PM | Breakout Session II |
| November 9 | |
| 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Registration |
| 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 8:30 AM - 9:20 AM | Breakout Session III |
| 9:20 AM - 9:45 AM | Student Showcase |
| 9:45 AM - 10:05 AM | Teaching Awards |
| 10:05 AM - 11:00 AM | Monday Keynote "The Art of Perception" with Amy Herman |
| 11:20 AM - 12:10 PM | Breakout Session IV |
| 12:10 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch & Birds of a Feather Meet-Ups |
| 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM | Breakout Session V |
| 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM | Breakout Session VI |
| 3:30 PM | Conference Close |
Sunday Keynote:
Our Collective Purpose as Engines of Hope
About Ross Peters
Ross is the founding partner of EXPLO Elevate, leading our consulting team after making significant contributions at the independent schools he has served. Beginning his career with eight years as a middle and upper school English teacher at Providence Day School, he served in significant leadership roles at Asheville School, Hawken School, The Westminster Schools, and St. George’s Independent School. He serves, or has served, on the boards of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS), and Bridges USA. He and his wife, Katie, also served as members of the Family Partners Council at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.
Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, Ross was a 13-year graduate of St. Christopher’s School. From there earned a BA in English at Sewanee: The University of the South, followed with an M.Ed from the University of Georgia. While he is deeply appreciative of the remarkable gift of education he received at every level, his best learning has resulted from being an educator working with students, whether as a classroom teacher or as a school leader.
A widely published poet and photographer, Ross has completed work on a collection of poetry entitled The Flood is Not the River, and he contributed the foreword and over 100 photographs for a book entitled, Sacred Views: St. Francis and the Sacro Monte di Orta (Punctum Press, May 2020).
Monday Keynote:
The Art of Perception
About Amy Herman
Amy Herman is a lawyer and art historian who uses works of art to sharpen observation, analysis, and communication skills. By showing people how to look closely at painting, sculpture, and photography, she helps them hone their visual intelligence to recognize the most pertinent and useful information as well as recognize biases that impede decision making. She developed her Art of Perception seminar in 2000 to improve medical students' observation and communication skills with their patients when she was the Head of Education at The Frick Collection in New York City. She subsequently adapted the program for a wide range of professionals and leads sessions internationally for the New York City Police Department, the FBI, the French National Police, the Department of Defense, Interpol, the State Department, Fortune 500 companies, first responders, the military, and the intelligence community. In her highly participatory presentation, she demonstrates the relevance of visual literacy across the professional spectrum and how the analysis of works of art affords participants in her program an innovative way to refresh their sense of critical inquiry and reconsider the skills necessary for improved performance and effective leadership. The program has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The CBS Evening News, and Smithsonian Magazine, among others. Her TED talk, A Lesson on Looking, went live in December 2018.
Ms. Herman holds an A.B., a J.D., and an M.A. in art history. Her book, Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life, was published in May 2016 and was on both the New York Times and Washington Post best-sellers' lists. Her second book, Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem-Solving, was published in December 2021. Her third book, smART: Use Your Eyes to Boost Your Brain, was published in October 2022.
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
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Two-Day Attendee Pass - TAIS Member
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9.50 |
$280.00
Price will increase to $330.00 on
8/22/26
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Monday-Only Attendee Pass - TAIS Member
|
6.50 |
$230.00
Price will increase to $270.00 on
8/22/26
|
|
Two-Day Pass for Group - TAIS Member (Early Bird)
|
9.50 | $300.00 See QTY Discounts |
|
Two-Day Attendee Pass, Full Faculty - TAIS Member
|
9.50 | $110.00 |
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Two-Day Attendee Pass - TAIS Guest
|
9.50 |
$375.00
Price will increase to $425.00 on
8/22/26
|
|
Monday-Only Attendee Pass - TAIS Guests
Registration Ends 10/30/26 at 11:59 PM CST
|
6.50 | $340.00 |
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Two-Day Pass for Committee Members
|
9.50 | $160.00 |
|
Two-Day Pass for Session Presenters
|
9.50 | $180.00 |
Operating Budget Scholarship
Discounted registration is available on a sliding scale for schools with annual operating budgets of or less than $5,000,000. Please email Sarah at Sarah@taistn.com with the following information for consideration of an Operating Budget Scholarship.
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Name and email of the primary school contact for discussion of finances and discounts
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Name and email of the primary school contact for registration
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The school’s annual operating budget for the 2024-2025 school year
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Number of faculty at the school
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Approximate number of people who will be registering using the code
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Anticipated registration date
New Attendees Scholarship
Any school sending two or more attendees to our conference from a school that has not attended our Annual Conference in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025 is eligible for a 15% discount on registration. Please email Sarah at Sarah@taistn.com with the following information for consideration of a New Attendees Scholarship.
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Name and email of the primary school contact for registration
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Number of faculty at the school
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Approximate number of people who will be registering using the code
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Anticipated registration date
special discounts
Annual Conference Presenter Discount
TAIS values the time and expertise of our session presenters. Presenters receive a discounted registration rate of $180.
TAIS Committee Members Discount
TAIS is grateful for the work of Administrator Services and Teacher Services Committee members whose efforts are essential to our Annual Conference and year-long programming. Committee members receive a discounted registration rate of $160.
Partners and Exhibitors
Conference attendance is included with Annual Partnership, conference sponsorship, and exhibition. Learn more here.