Sofia Center Programs

 

 

Our events, retreats, workshops, and more

Teachers meeting in a circle to reflect, innovate, and act

Reflect : Innovate : Act

Group of educators looking at camera and smiling at Sofia Center's Wild Leadership Retreat

Wild Leadership Retreat

Educator Renewal Retreat

ABQ poet laureate stands in front of Sofia Center group presenting

Workshops + Retreats

 

…or let us design a custom solution for you

 
 

Reflect : Innovate : Act

A Free Monthly Series

 

Connect with colleagues. Investigate a topic. Refuel and rethink your practice. Act!

Reflect : Innovate : Act is a monthly series of seminars and workshops open to educators throughout the community. These events encourage professional inquiry and shared expertise, while also offering rich content, inspiration, and an aesthetic experience that honors the passion and hard work of educators. Each month we investigate a different topic or issue, and sessions are led by the Sofia Center Director and educators from across the community. Sofia Center participants represent a wide range of schools and organizations, including public, charter, and private schools, pre-K through university level. Since launching Reflect : Innovate : Act in January 2013, we have been thrilled to welcome educators from over 330 schools and organizations.

This monthly series is offered virtually during the ongoing pandemic.

 

Wild Leadership Retreat

What happens when we lead with a sense of wild possibility? What emerges when we shift the wild ride of leadership from something stressful or out of control to something wonderfully innovative and full of heart? Each spring, the Sofia Center brings together education leaders from public, independent, and charter schools, pre-K through university level, along with education leaders working beyond schools, for inquiry, rejuvenation, and strategy focused on leading with intention and passion.

The most recent Wild Leadership Retreat took place in October 2023. Stay tuned for future retreat dates!

 
 
 

Educator Renewal Retreat

At these vibrant, restorative gatherings of educators we focus on individual rejuvenation, collective inquiry and reflection, and reconnection with the larger purposes of our work as educators. There will be no talk of standardized tests, assessment protocols, article deadlines, or papers to grade! Instead, there will be rich discussion with colleagues, walks in the beautiful high desert, inspirational readings, and time for your own renewal and reconnection with your calling. This retreat is open to all teachers, pre-K through university level; from public, charter, or independent schools; and whether working in traditional school settings or educational nonprofits.

The first educator renewal retreat was held at the beautiful Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico.

Please check back for information about future retreats.

 

Workshops

The Sofia Center offers customized workshops and retreats for schools and organizations, and we love designing unique programs to meet your school’s or organization’s particular needs. In addition, we have a series of established workshops, described to the right, that we offer as stand-alone experiences or part of a larger program. Each can be as brief as 75 minutes or expanded to a full day. All workshops are informed by educational theory, diverse voices, and the lived experience of teachers and education leaders.

We offer both in-person workshops and virtual options.

 

Sample topics include:

 
Sofia Center's Sheryl Chard holding a sign that says "I will dare greatly by designing learning experiences that honor and inspire educators!"
 

Custom Offerings

We also design and lead tailored, transformational retreats that nurture the capacity of your team to work from the powerful intersection of inspiration and productivity.

Learn more about opportunities to design a professional development event or program customized to your needs.

Our Impact