Dear PAIS Community,

At Elevate Learning, one of our AI panelists, Professor Illah R. Nourbakhsh, offered this take on AI, “The thing that lasts— and this is what parents need to understand— is for a child to grow up and be able to do the durable human skills.” Then he named them: the human touch, a sense of history and ethics, and “the ethical backbone to know when to say yes or no to something.”

That is what we do in independent education. So the most urgent question about artificial intelligence isn’t really about the technology, it’s about humanity and how we empower ourselves and our students at this moment in time. 

We know this.

But knowing it isn’t the same as leading it, especially now, when the ground keeps shifting and the goal line keeps moving—not to mention that the election is just one day away.




So the conversation doesn’t end at Elevate. At the Heads and CFOs Convening, we’ll take the next step together. If our students need durable human skills, then the adults who teach and lead them do too: capacity, curiosity, ethical clarity, and the courage to learn in public. AI is the occasion that reminds us it is the culture of our schools that makes a lasting impact.

Peter Nilsson said it this way, “…the goodness of a technology, the goodness of a moment, is entirely dependent on the culture that we build around it.”

That’s on us… and it is built every day in the work you do with students. Thank you.

The 2026-27 accreditation season has begun, and as this newsletter is released 3 of our 11 full scale visits have been completed. As a self proclaimed "accreditation geek", it is inspiring to see the fruits of over a year of planning, committee building and self study writing realized on school campuses. What is particularly energizing, working for an Association that believes "Learning First" is the steadfast trunk of an educational tree with numerous varied branches, is sitting in the visiting committee workrooms during the visits. 

At one K-8 school visit, space was made on the floor so that 4 early childhood/elementary teachers could sit in an impromptu circle and map out their plan to tackle the lift of the Program Section. Sitting on the floor discussing teaching and learning - creating the environment that made them feel at home with colleagues they had just met on a campus that had just welcomed them in.

I often tell new committee members that you will meet with handshakes on Sunday and depart with hugs on Wednesday.

As one recent committee member put it, 
"The immediate collegiality that we experienced because everyone dove in and gave their best efforts over the four days was truly inspirational." 

As I travel Pennsylvania and Delaware in support of accreditation committees, I too am inspired by the talent, dedication and professionalism of those who accept an invitation to serve schools in this manner. The role that human connection plays in PAIS accreditation is vital, and it is seen in every committee workroom and at every interaction a member of the committee has with a member of the visited school community. 

Building accreditation committees is a responsibility of my job - being able to see them in action brings so much joy to the work.


Professional Growth Visits

PAIS educators gathered at Delaware Valley Friends School for the year’s first PGV.


As our host school shared:

"Hosting the event allowed us to connect with our colleagues, compare notes, and enter into some very meaningful discussions about various topics at the top of all of our minds. It was also affirming as the host school to be able to have what we do every day fed back to us through the lens of others who do similar work. It was a fantastic day and I look forward to visiting a colleague school in the Spring."

— David Calamaro, Associate Head of School,

Delaware Valley Friends School 

Register here for one of the seven upcoming PGVs this year, including Gwynedd Mercy Academy HS this Thursday, November 5!


Circle of Peers

The first round of PAIS Circle of Peers gatherings kicked off with tremendous participation! Nearly 200 educators joined 11 different circles, each expertly facilitated by PAIS educators in their respective roles.


These gatherings create space for open, candid conversations, idea-sharing, and collaborative problem-solving with peers who understand both the challenges and rewards of their work. From sharing experiences to exploring new approaches, each circle reinforces the value of learning from those who do similar work every day.


Circles will gather again in 2027!

Register here to join your circle for the next round of conversations and connections.