NYSAIS Divisional Leadership Institute (DLI)

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NYSAIS

The New York State Association of Independent Schools promotes the independence, well-being and public understanding of, and respect for, New York independent schools and serves as an accrediting body chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.

NYSAIS Schools

NYSAIS is a voluntary association of over 200 independent nursery, elementary and secondary schools enrolling roughly 80,000 students. It is affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools and the NY State Coalition for Independent and Religious Schools. Founded in 1947, the Association is chartered by the NY State Board of Regents and is incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

Accreditation

All good schools continually evaluate their performance by means of their own devising. Without evaluation an institution ossifies, and in a changing world it loses its meaning for society. But the view a school takes of itself needs periodically to be supplemented by an external view, one that brings a perspective the school cannot command.

NYSAIS Athletic Association

The mission of New York State interscholastic athletic programs is to foster the quest for excellence by creating an educational and competitive experience within an atmosphere of sportsmanship. Successful programs develop individual and team potential by promoting high standards of competence, character, civility, and citizenship.

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• Getting Involved with NYSAIS Professional Learning
• Institutes Beginning Teachers Institute (BTI) Divisional Leadership Institute (DLI) Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) ELI Frequently Asked Questions NYSAIS Emerging Leaders Institute Cohorts Experienced Teachers Institute Justice, Equity, & Diversity Institute NYSAIS Justice, Equity, and Diversity Institute Cohorts JEDI Frequent Asked Questions
• Beginning Teachers Institute (BTI)
• Divisional Leadership Institute (DLI)
• Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) ELI Frequently Asked Questions NYSAIS Emerging Leaders Institute Cohorts
• ELI Frequently Asked Questions
• NYSAIS Emerging Leaders Institute Cohorts
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• NYSAIS Justice, Equity, and Diversity Institute Cohorts
• JEDI Frequent Asked Questions
• Member Events Calendar
• NYSAIS Attendee Norms & Disclaimers
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• Mergers and Acquisitions in Independent Schools
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• Workshops Best Practices for Presenters of Professional Learning Workshops Workshop Proposal Form
• Best Practices for Presenters of Professional Learning Workshops
• Workshop Proposal Form

2026-2027 Registration is now open!

This fee includes registration at the Division Heads Conference, November 18-20, 2026, though participants and their schools must cover rooming costs at Mohonk Mountain House separately.

Tasha Elsbach, DLI Co-Director, is the Middle School Head at The Masters School. Prior to her time at Masters, she spent sixteen years as Middle School Head and a history teacher at The Brearley School. Earlier in her career, she taught in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tasha was a Klingenstein Fellow at Teachers College, Columbia University and earned her M.A in Educational Leadership there.

Joe McCauley, DLI Co-Director, is the Principal of Fieldston Lower (PreK-5) at Ethical Culture Fieldston School. He has been a NYC based educator for 25 years working in both public and independent schools. He taught 3rd and 4th grade at P.S. 72 and 1st and 4th Grade at Packer Collegiate Institute. Joe served as Assistant Head of Packer’s Pre and Lower School for four years before becoming Fieldston Lower’s Principal seven years ago. He received his M.S.Ed from Hunter College.

Jane Moore, DLI Co-Director, is the Upper School Director at Berkeley Carroll where she has also taught English and history. Jane started her career as a boarding school teacher, dorm parent and coach before working at Riverdale Country School for 13 years as a teacher, dean, and Asst. Head of Upper School. Jane has an M.A. in English from Bread Loaf and a M.S.Ed in School Leadership from Penn.

Cost

This fee includes registration at the Division Heads Conference, November 18-20, 2026, though participants and their schools must cover rooming costs at Mohonk Mountain House separately.

Staff (2026-27)

Tasha Elsbach, DLI Co-Director, is the Middle School Head at The Masters School. Prior to her time at Masters, she spent sixteen years as Middle School Head and a history teacher at The Brearley School. Earlier in her career, she taught in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tasha was a Klingenstein Fellow at Teachers College, Columbia University and earned her M.A in Educational Leadership there.

Joe McCauley, DLI Co-Director, is the Principal of Fieldston Lower (PreK-5) at Ethical Culture Fieldston School. He has been a NYC based educator for 25 years working in both public and independent schools. He taught 3rd and 4th grade at P.S. 72 and 1st and 4th Grade at Packer Collegiate Institute. Joe served as Assistant Head of Packer’s Pre and Lower School for four years before becoming Fieldston Lower’s Principal seven years ago. He received his M.S.Ed from Hunter College.

Jane Moore, DLI Co-Director, is the Upper School Director at Berkeley Carroll where she has also taught English and history. Jane started her career as a boarding school teacher, dorm parent and coach before working at Riverdale Country School for 13 years as a teacher, dean, and Asst. Head of Upper School. Jane has an M.A. in English from Bread Loaf and a M.S.Ed in School Leadership from Penn.