SchoolSims has partnered with NREA (National Rural Education Association) for a “Lead Where You Are” Webinar Series. We are kicking it off with this webinar on “The Rural Talent Reality: Hiring in a Small Market and Building a Strong Fit.”
In this episode, Julie Ferin, the Executive Director of the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP), discusses the opportunities and advantages of deploying simulations with Ken Spero, founder of SchoolSims.
In this session, Professor Jennifer Watters (University of Texas at Tyler) will share insights from years of research on how simulations strengthen aspiring administrators self-efficacy while balancing cognitive load. You’ll also hear directly from a student about the real-world impact of learning through simulations.
Michael Reardon, head of Meadowbrook School, and Ken Spero, founder of SchoolSims, discuss building ethical capacity in independent schools. Most teacher and school leader training is theoretical but doesn’t provide the opportunities to apply it to high stakes, interpersonal situations. SchoolSims practice Simulations offer teachers the opportunity to rehearse delicate teacher parent conversations and the handling of challenging student interactions, while building confidence in navigating emotionally charged and nuanced moments.
In this August 2025 webinar with SchoolSims and The Danielson Group, we explored how online simulations aligned with the Danielson Framework can strengthen educator agency, enhance coaching conversations, and build a reflective, growth-focused culture. We discussed how experiential learning provides a safe space for practicing real-world decisions, equipping both current and future educators with the skills needed to drive instructional improvement.
May 2025 WebinarWhat makes professional development effective—and why do so many initiatives fall short? In this engaging 60-minute session, we explore what the research tells us about impactful adult learning and how SchoolSims bridges the gap between theory and practice. Grounded in the principles of adult education and effective PD design, this webinar introduces a simulation-based professional learning approach that is job-embedded, sustained over time, reflective, and responsive to educator needs.
This webinar explores how Gwinnett County Public Schools has successfully leveraged simulation-based learning for the past decade to improve their principal pipeline. By utilizing SchoolSims, they have empowered educators and leaders through real-world professional development—helping to address the ongoing shortage of qualified school leaders.
How can experiential learning through simulations strengthen leadership skills and decision-making? In this on-demand webinar, Dr. David De Jong and Dr. Sara Dexter share their research on the power of simulations in professional development. They explore the critical role of self-debriefing in the experiential learning cycle and how it helps educators and leaders refine their practices in real-world scenarios. Whether you’re leading a school, training future educators, or designing professional development programs, this webinar provides valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance learning outcomes.
This webinar will provide an opportunity for heads of schools, administrators, teachers, and independent school staff to engage in our Applying Effective Classroom Management simulation. Participants will step into the role of a middle school teacher, facing real classroom challenges while learning to foster teamwork and build strong teacher-student communication.