This series of workshops will prepare participants to feel confident and clear on their path to lead their schools to become more inclusive communities. The series of three workshops will use a participant guide to build a mini strategic plan focused on contextual goals and next steps to actionize learning in school communities.
Thursday - November 5, 2026 | 6:00-7:30 PM (HKT)
Participants will explore leadership's critical role in inclusive practices, learning to create a culture of belonging and developing action plans to engage the school community. This series focuses on guiding school vision and culture, particularly shifting mindsets toward inclusion. We will learn to identify and build a team to navigate cultural and belief shifts, understand effective advocacy, and take steps to move the school community toward one centered on diversity and inclusion. Participants will collaborate, network, and gain practical tools to develop effective advocacy teams for inclusion.
Learning Objectives:
● Identify Your Team: Participants will identify their team of advocates to help them with mindset shifts in their school community.
● Foster a Collaborative Culture: Learn techniques to engage staff,students, and the broader school community in ongoing dialogue and action toward greater inclusion. Participants will develop tools for effective advocacy for inclusion.
● Build a Supportive Network: Establish connections with other Participants to share experiences, challenges, and best practices in promoting inclusion.
Format: Zoom Meeting (Zoom link will be sent 2 days before the event)
Fee: Free for EARCOS Members / $100 for Non-Members
Thursday - November 19, 2026 | 6:00-7:30 PM (HKT)
Expanding student support requires intentional financial planning. This workshop introduces practical financial models that allow schools to sustainably expand inclusion while maintaining strong academic programs. Participants explore staffing models, fee structures, cost-per-student considerations, and budgeting strategies that support long-term program viability.
Learning Objectives:
● Understand financial barriers and opportunities related to inclusion
● Analyze different staffing and funding models for student support
● Explore sustainable tuition and fee structures
● Identify financial strategies that allow schools to expand services responsibly
● Utilize a framework to guide your current and future planning
Format: Zoom Meeting (Zoom link will be sent 2 days before the event)
Fee: Free for EARCOS Members / $100 for Non-Members
Thursday - December 5, 2026 | 6:00-7:30 PM (HKT)
Inclusive schools are built through coherent systems, not isolated programs. This workshop focuses on the operational structures that support inclusion, including admissions protocols, staffing models, tiered systems of support, and professional learning. Participants examine how schools can align these systems to create sustainable and consistent support for diverse learners.
Learning Objectives:
● Understand how admissions, staffing, and support systems interact
● Identify key structures needed to sustain inclusive practices
● Strengthen alignment between policies, staffing, and student needs
● Develop priorities for building a coherent whole-school support system
● Utilize tools to examine admissions practices, and assess school systems and structures.
Format: Zoom Meeting (Zoom link will be sent 2 days before the event)
Fee: Free for EARCOS Members / $100 for Non-Members
About Lauren Jones
Lauren Jones is a global inclusion and leadership consultant who partners with schools and organizations to develop inclusive cultures and systems that support neurodivergent learners. Her work focuses on breaking down barriers to access and driving sustainable change in school systems. She has collaborated with a range of organizations, including the Ministry of Education in Rwanda, the National Geographic Society, Save the Children, and international schools across regions. With a Master's Degree in Special Education and Post Graduate Studies at Harvard School of Business, Lauren has focused her learning on sustainable inclusion, embedded in the culture of communities.
An MSA Consultant, CIS-affiliated consultant and published author, Lauren previously served as Head of School at the International School of Kigali, where she expanded access for neurodivergent students and strengthened student support services. Prior to her work in Rwanda, she led inclusive education initiatives at Qatar Foundation, creating programs designed to reach a broader range of learners.
Lauren chairs the board of the Parents Alliance for Inclusion and facilitates the Playbook for Expanding and Enhancing Student Support Programs with the Office of Overseas Schools at the U.S. State Department. She is a Director for the non profit organization, The Guardian Project. She is also leading the development of a Sustainable Small Schools Guide in collaboration with AISA and the Office of Overseas Schools. She leads board training and retreats and partners with schools to design and implement sustainable student support systems and programs. Lauren collaborated with the Middle States Association to revise their SEN Standards and served on the review team that developed joint accreditation standards across four major accrediting bodies.
With a whole-child approach at the heart of her work, Lauren is deeply committed to transforming school cultures and systems—empowering educators, families, and communities to reimagine what's possible for all learners.