NAIS Member Voices Podcast Archives: Season 3
The NAIS Member Voices podcast features stories from the thoughtful, hard-working individuals who make up the independent school community. You'll hear from faculty and staff at NAIS member schools about their roles, challenges, successes, inspiration sources, and more. Whether you are currently part of the NAIS community, considering joining, or simply interested in learning more about our industry, we hope you will listen and enjoy!
Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to hear a new episode each month.
Find Member Voices on iTunes, SoundCloud, TuneIn, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
Season 3 Episodes: 2019-20
Episode 39: Daphne Carr, Associate Director of Advancement, Campbell Hall
Topic: Fund the Future
Daphne shares how she and her team had to pivot to virtual events when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, how they’re reimagining their fundraising efforts for next year, and how she won both of her Emmys.Relevant Resources:
- Learn about the effects COVID-19 has had on advancement and other school areas, and about the decisions schools are making through NAIS’s Snapshot Surveys.
- Explore these Key Questions for Heads of School to Consider as they lead through the COVID-19 crisis, including specific questions related to advancement.
- Read NAIS President Donna Orem’s May 2020 Independent Ideas blog post, “A Recipe for Thriving in Uncertain Times.”
Episode 38: Liz Morrison, Head of School, Antilles School
Topic: Manage a Crisis
Liz discusses what it's been like managing two crises—a hurricane and the current pandemic—at her school in a short amount of time and what lessons she's learned.
Relevant Resources:
- Explore NAIS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Schools for relevant news, resources, strategies, and trends.
- Use “Education Unknown: Guide to Scenario Planning in the Age of COVID-19” to envision four possible realities for your school and the likely impacts of each. This resource is accessible to NAIS members only.
- Help your school better prepare with NAIS Toolkit: Preparing and Responding to Natural Disasters.
Episode 37: Rob Phillips, Head of School, Seattle Academy
Topic: Create Inspiring Places to Learn
Rob shares his school’s approach to asynchronous and synchronous online learning, what it was like working in one of the first cities where COVID-19 hit, and how he feels his unique life experience helped prepare him for this moment.Relevant Resources:
- Find relevant content and points of connection on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources page.
- Exchange ideas, advice, and updates in our virtual community, NAIS Connect.
- Share your own tips, strategies, and solutions with other schools through Sharing Solutions.
- Keep an eye out for upcoming NAIS webinars, meetups, trend updates, and other virtual events.
Episode 36: Marjie Murphy, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Sacred Heart Schools
Topic: Build an Effective Team
Marjie discusses her school's unique instructional coaching program, how she's developed her "empathy muscle," and shares a few reading recommendations.Relevant Resources:
- Read "Developing Talent Through Instructional Coaching," a Fall 2017 online exclusive from Independent School magazine.
- Check out the Curriculum community in NAIS Connect.
- Catch up on past episodes of Member Voices from Season 1 and Season 2.
Episode 35: Mark Devey, Head of School, Perkiomen School
Topic: Lead Through Change
Mark tells us what it was like being a headmaster's son, what he thinks schools aren't doing well, and an important lesson he learned from his students.Relevant Resources:
- Register for the upcoming NAIS Annual Conference.
- Keep an eye on future issues with Looking Ahead by NAIS President Donna Orem.
- Prepare for a successful leadership transition at the NAIS Institute for New Heads.
- Read "Creating a Positive Emotional Climate in Middle School," an article in the Fall 2019 edition of Independent Teacher.
Episode 34: Christina Pommer, Library Director, Saint Stephen's Episcopal School
Christina takes us inside the library and discusses its value, how technology has changed her role, and why you shouldn't use pepperoni as a bookmark.
Relevant Resources:
- Read "Student Health & Well-being: How Libraries Can Create Safe Spaces," an August 2019 Indpendent Ideas blog post.
- View the NAIS Guidelines of Professional Practice for Librarians, and share them with your school community.
- Read "The Trailblazers," a Winter 2015 article in Independent School magazine.
Episode 33: Mark Silver, Head of School, Hillbrook School
Topic: Ensure Financial Sustainability
Mark speaks with us about his school's social-entrepreneurial focus, how he draws from his school's unique history, and what he's currently reading in his book club.Relevant Resources:
- Solve pressing challenges and seize the right opportunities for your school through NAIS Strategy Lab.
- Read "Survey Says: Ethnographic Research Can Provide Valuable Insights," an article in the Winter 2018 issue of Independent School magazine.
- Read "Real-World Experiences Are Essential to Learning," an article in the Summer 2018 issue of Independent School magazine.
Episode 32: Shanelle Henry, Director of Equity and Inclusion, Greens Farms Academy
Topic: Cultivate Diverse and Inclusive Communities
Shanelle discusses the importance of building relationships, taking a moment before reacting, and keeping a candy dish on your desk.Relevant Resources:
- Register for the upcoming NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC).
- Join the Diversity Community on NAIS Connect.
- Learn more about the diversity initiatives and practitioners at NAIS member schools in the 2019 State of the Diversity Practice report.
- Explore the Equity and Justice chapter and more in the new 2019-2020 NAIS Trendbook.
Episode 31: Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, Director of Enrollment & Financial Aid, The Avery Coonley School
Topic: Grow Enrollment
Rebecca shares her approach to retention management and working with millennial parents, and how she's a little protective of her Rosie the Riveter mug.
Relevant Resources:
- Find prospective families in your area with Market View.
- Explore articles from Independent School magazine, such as "Rethinking the Role of Enrollment Managers and Admission Officers" from the Summer 2017 issue.
Episode 30: Logan Bowlds, Head of School, Stratford Academy
Topic: Start Strong
Logan describes what it was like to be appointed head of school at age 29, how he got to this point in his career so quickly, and how he finds balance with two young kids at home.
Relevant Resources:
- Discover how you and your board can best work together through Leadership Through Partnership (LTP).
- Read The Head's Handbook: A Guide for Aspiring, New, and Experienced Heads of School.
- Improve your board's effectiveness with these easy-to-use Trustee Training Tools.
- Use the NAIS Principles of Good Practice for Board of Trustees and Independent School Trustees to help guide your board's approach.
Episode 29: Scott Erickson, Head of School, Phillips Brooks School
Topic: Promote Great Governance
Scott talks about how he's gotten better at "issue-spotting" and addressing communication gaps with his school and board, as well as how he uses his training as an ordained minister.
Relevant Resources:
- Explore governance information, tools, and resources.
- Register for Leadership Through Partnership, an NAIS institute designed to enable effective, successful board and head relationships.
- Learn more about the Jobs-to-Be-Done Study on Independent School Parents and how to best meet families' needs. This article is members-only.