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NAIS Member Voices focuses on the hard-working individuals that make up the independent school community. Each episode will feature a discussion with a different staff member at an NAIS member school about his or her role, challenges, successes, inspiration sources, and more. For more information about NAIS or any of the resources discussed, visit www.nais.org or contact us at membership@nais.org.
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Ariane Baer-Harper, head of school at Austin International School (TX) speaks with Jacques Weber, head of the Dallas International School (TX) who was the outgoing head at Austin International when she started. The two were able to work together for the last three months of the 2022–2023 school year, and their collaboration has continued to this day. Here, Baer-Harper and Weber discuss their successful head transition, the keys to its success, and a roadmap for other heads to consider. This conversation was published in the Winter 2024 issue of Independent School magazine.
You can find some related NAIS resources from this episode by visiting nais.org/membervoices.
Two colleagues at St. Mary’s Episcopal School (TN) - Head of School Albert Throckmorton and Director of Communications Jennifer Parris – talk about what they’ve learned about community and a school’s purpose following a tragedy. This conversation was published in the Fall 2023 issue of Independent School magazine.
You can find some related NAIS resources from this episode by visiting nais.org/membervoices.
Jennifer Dirga, School Counselor at The Chestnut Hill School (MA) speaks to the importance of fostering connections inside and outside the classroom to decrease stress and anxiety in students. In this conversation with Jackie Wolking, she shares examples for how to build community and how to create safe and affirming spaces. Jennifer takes an active role in the classroom and advocates for mental health supports for staff. She’s a proponent of going slow, pausing, and reflecting more throughout life.
You can find some related NAIS resources from this episode by visiting nais.org/membervoices.
Fran Bisselle, head of school at Hathway Brown School (OH) discusses trends in teacher attrition, and how independent schools can bolster teacher retention by understanding the current workforce landscape and leveraging teacher-focused policies in their schools. Fran unpacks the effect of the pandemic on teacher burn-out and how Hathway Brown had to adapt to ensure teacher retention. She also describes how the hiring and on-boarding process in her school had to become more teacher-focused.
You can find some related NAIS resources from this episode by visiting nais.org/membervoices.
Denise Spirou, head of school at The Greene School (FL) describes how she looks for teachers that are joyful, and that are problem solvers – not problem starters. She shares how she helps her school stand out to potential job candidates, and how she prioritizes the mental health of her team by encouraging them to take days off and participate in walking meetings. Finally, Denise discusses the importance of servant leadership, not taking things personally, and being able to “fess up when you mess up”.
You can find some related NAIS resources from this episode by visiting nais.org/membervoices.
Aliya Pitts, Chief Advancement Officer at The Prarie School (WI) talks about the importance of group innovation, careful communication, and making data driven decisions when undertaking a tuition redesign.
Federal and state antitrust laws are designed to protect competition. NAIS complies with antitrust laws and supports competition through its commitment to the independence, innovation, and diversity of schools. NAIS members are each expected to make independent decisions as to the policies and practices that govern their individual organizations. In order to avoid even the appearance of improper coordination between competitors, please comply with the following: Do not discuss the details of institution-specific, competitively sensitive information (such as prospective rates/dollar amounts, increases/decreases, or calculations regarding tuition, financial aid, or staff compensation/benefits) with other institutions. Do not attempt to reach an agreement (whether express or implied) with other institutions about whether, where and how you will compete to attract students, teachers and staff.
Nancy Lang, head of school at the New School (AR) shares how she addressed an erosion of trust in her market, adjusted to thinking about tuition strategically long term, and made sure everyone was on the same page throughout the process.
Here's another episode from our sister NAIS podcast, New View EDU. This episode from Season 4 of New View EDU features host Tim Fish and educational innovators Christina Lewellen, of ATLIS, and Paul Turnbull, Head of School at Mid-Pacific Institute. Tim, Christina, and Paul take on a deep discussion about the rapid evolution of artificial Intelligence, and the impact ChatGPT and other AI innovations will have on the future of schools. Season 5 of New View EDU premieres later this Fall.
In this episode of Member Voices: The Conversation we are featuring a dialogue between a head of school and her board chair, published in the Summer 2023 issue of Independent School magazine.
Ashley Harper, head of school, and Eileen Quenell, board chair at Wakefield School (VA), discuss the shared leadership model that grew from their almost instant chemistry and mutual respect, and what shared leadership looks like at their school.
Melinda Bihn, head of school at the French American International School and International High School (CA), shares how she approaches selecting a board chair, orienting new trustees, and providing opportunities for leadership development among her staff.
Stacey Roshan, former teacher and former director of innovation and educational technology at Bullis School (MD), and Jenna Borrelli, director of wellness at Bullis, share classroom tools that help all kids connect to their teachers and each other, wellness techniques for teachers, and the importance of reflection and awareness to well-being.
Matt Gerber, chief innovation officer at Western Reserve Academy (OH), describes his practical approach to innovation, the types of courses his school's innovation center offers, and the impact these factors have already had for his students in the real world.
Seth Hanford, head of school at Elgin Academy (IL), discusses the importance of connection, community values, and spending time with students during challenging times.
Listen to an episode from our sister NAIS podcast, New View EDU. In last season's finale, two school heads with deep expertise in leading diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work join host Tim Fish and special guest co-host Caroline Blackwell for a conversation about equity, well-being, and the future of inclusion efforts in independent schools. The new season of New View EDU drops March 14.
Kori Rimany, an english teacher at The Frederick Gunn School (CT), shares her impressions of faculty health and well-being today, including how to continue moving forward and what it looks like to teach when you're not okay,
In this episode of Member Voices: The Conversation, we are featuring a dialogue between colleagues at NAIS member schools, published in the Winter 2023 issue of Independent School magazine.
Dot Kowal, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Sonoma Academy (CA), and Rochelle Reodica, head of school at The Independent Day School (CT), discuss what prompted them to create a study group for Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian educators, why it matters, and what they've learned along the way.
Briel Schmitz, head of school, and Alexa Carver, former board chair at Spruce Street School (WA), discuss how they each ensured that they stayed in the appropriate "lane", how their partnership fostered risk taking and innovation, and how they worked together to confront crises at their school.
Mark McKee, head of school at Viewpoint School (CA), shares his experience of leading as an introvert, orienting new board members, and dealing with school crises.
Guest host Joe Corbett, NAIS senior research analyst, speaks with Taryn Upchurch, director of outreach at Trū School (CA) about using Jobs-to-be-Done in marketing, personalizing messaging for families, and finding students that resonate with your school’s mission.
Gary Krahn, head of school at La Jolla Country Day School (CA), joins us to discuss how to develop developing student media literacy, the importance of treating everyone with dignity, and how educators can encourage students’ ways of thinking.
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