2026 Heads' Retreat at the Annual Conference
Presbyterian Day School
4025 Poplar AvenueMemphis, TN 38111
Overview
Target Audience: TAIS Member and Guest Heads of School
Parallel Event: 2026 Annual Conference
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.
Heads' Morning Session
To be announced
Shared Keynote and Heads' Q&A: 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.
Heads' Afternoon Session
To be announced
Agenda
| November 8 | |
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Annual Conference Registration Complimentary access with a Heads' Retreat ticket. |
| 1:55 PM - 2:45 PM | Annual Conference Welcome and Sunday Keynote Complimentary access with a Heads' Retreat ticket. |
| 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM | Annual Conference Breakout I Complimentary access with a Heads' Retreat ticket. |
| 4:10 PM - 5:00 PM | Annual Conference Breakout II Complimentary access with a Heads' Retreat ticket. |
| November 9 | |
| 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM | Heads' Retreat Registration |
| 8:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Heads' Retreat Welcome |
| 8:05 AM - 9:30 AM | Heads' Retreat Morning Session |
| 9:45 AM - 10:05 AM | Teaching Awards A shared session of the Annual Conference and Heads' Retreat. |
| 10:05 AM - 11:00 AM |
Monday Keynote
"The Art of Perception" by Amy Herman A shared session of the Annual Conference and Heads' Retreat. |
| 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM | Heads' Retreat Q&A with Keynote Speaker, Amy Herman Exclusive access with a Heads' Retreat ticket. |
| 11:50 AM - 12:30 PM | Heads' Retreat Partner Solutions |
| 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM | Heads' Retreat Lunch |
| 1:15 PM - 2:50 PM | Heads' Retreat Afternoon Session |