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#ETI24 2-DAY INSTITUTE FOR ASSISTANTS & SUPPORT STAFF
Maximizing Impact: Skills & Strategies for Assistants & Support Staff
With Erica Zematis of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
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FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 & 27, 2024 |
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ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
The work of assistants and support staff is critical to the success of independent schools. This institute is designed to help independent school assistants and support staff discover new tools, hone skills, learn from peers, and share insights with others. We will discuss ways to “up” your skills for higher-level support to work more strategically with your leader, grow in your role, and have a bigger impact on your organization’s goals.
Connect and engage through group discussions and exercises.
Discussion topics will include ways to provide higher-level support and resources to learn and grow in the role. We will brainstorm in groups on how to respond when presented with legal situations and scenarios, take a hands-on approach with new PPT features, and experiment with ChatGPT to discover how these tools can be applied to your work.
Learn how to do your jobs more efficiently and effectively.
We will focus on growth and development in areas of time management, prioritizing, and setting boundaries – and how mastery of these essential skills can lead to higher-level support and a more strategic partnership with your leader. We will discuss support roles in the context of the independent school landscape, covering topics such as industry trends that will bring both challenge and opportunity to schools in the years ahead, and legal situations in office management, such as document retention and handbook reviews.
Reflect on your learning to identify opportunities for growth and development.
We’ll reflect on ways to find time to be a strategic partner and provide higher level support, how to strengthen the relationship with your leader, how new and emerging technologies can be useful in your roles, and ways to incorporate more leadership into your role. In the final session, you will define your own success by setting your own goals, with action steps to get there.
TOPICS
- Upping Your Skills for Higher-Level Support
- Tips to Strengthen the Relationship with Your Leader
- Legal News that EAs Can Use
- Technology tips and Apps to Know about
- Admin and Industry Trends
- Leveraging Your Leadership Skills and Opportunities
- Goal-Setting
OUTCOMES
- Leave with the tools and confidence to take on more meaningful work and work more strategically with your leaders.
- Feel motivated to “up” your skills and grow in areas of leadership and high-level support.
- Increase your understanding of the independent school landscape and trends impacting the industry.
- Connect and learn from other assistants and support staff, and get energized about the important work that you do.
CONTINUUM LEVEL(S)
2: Deepening Understanding
3: Initiating Implementation
4: Extending Implementation
5: Refining Practice
WHO'S IT FOR?
Executive assistants, assistants, and support staff.
Erica Zematis
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, NAIS
Erica Zematis serves as Special Assistant to the President’s Office at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) supporting NAIS President Donna Orem. Prior to that, she worked at the Jacksonville Country Day School as Executive Assistant to the Head of School. She has over 25 years of experience serving in administrative support roles.
Erica has published articles to help assistants grow their professional skills, covering topics such as developing board meeting minutes, growing leadership skills, providing support in a virtual environment, and maintaining positive relationships. She has championed new NAIS initiatives to serve school executive assistants through webinars, peer connections, and a new toolkit.
She holds a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) and a bachelor’s degree (BA) in Psychology from the University of North Florida. Her role as a military spouse has allowed her the opportunity to live, work, and make friends in many different parts of the world.