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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Equipping Students in the Age of AI with Autumn Adkins-Graves, St. Anne's-Belfield School
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41:24
Jackie Wolking speaks with Autumn Adkins-Graves, Head of School at Saint Anne's-Belfield School (VA). In their conversation, Autumn shares the importance of curiosity is in the age of AI in our schools and how her school created a portrait of a graduate with a futurist lens. She also talks about change management and how we affirm what's working we…
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Transitioning to Headship with Maria Croley Madden, St. Martin's Episcopal School
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Maria Croley Madden, Head of School at St. Martin's Episcopal School (GA) is going into her second year as Head. She talks about the transition to headship and how she’s preparing for year two. She details how being a “product of independent schools” prepared her for her current role and gives some tips for others transitioning to headship on prepa…
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Limiting Employee Turnover with Will Crissman, Tenacre Country Day School
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40:01
Tenacre Country Day School (MA), where Will Crissman is the head, has had almost no employee turnover the past few years. We talk about his approach to retention (and recruitment) during a time when many schools are struggling in this area. We also discuss Will’s approach to leadership – including keeping a steady emotional state, not asking people…
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Facilitating Classroom Conversations Around the Election
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41:20
Charlie Grossman, History Teacher, and Mary Gentry, Math Teacher, at Breck School (MN) discuss how to facilitate civil discourse in the classroom and how to address polarization with the impending election. They detail how they created and navigated a course around the general election in 2016, lessons learned, and what the course might look like t…
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Achieving Inclusivity in Polarizing Times
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37:53
Arvind Grover, head of school at the Meadowbrook School (MA) shares how his school strives for inclusivity in a polarized world. He stresses the importance of actively assessing your school’s progress, putting support structures in place, and stopping to ask “is there an opportunity here?”. We also discuss staff retention strategies - like the impo…
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The Conversation: Navigating a Head Transition
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20:41
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 da…
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The Conversation: Coping With Tragedy
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33:40
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 reso…
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Working Through Anxiety with Jennifer Dirga, The Chestnut Hill School
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35:16
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 activ…
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Combating Teacher Attrition with Fran Bisselle, Hathaway Brown School
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37:49
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 t…
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Recruiting and Retaining Top Teachers with Denise Spirou, The Greene School
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38:07
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 wa…
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Restructuring Tuition with Aliya Pitts, The Prairie School
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28:20
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 comm…
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Resetting Tuition with Nancy Lang, New School
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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.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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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 Intellige…
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The Conversation: A Shared Leadership Model
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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 instan…
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Supporting Staff and Board Members with Melinda Bihn
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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.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Stacey Roshan & Jenna Borrelli, Bullis School
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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.…
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Matt Gerber, Chief Innovation Officer, Western Reserve Academy
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29:40
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.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Seth Hanford, Head of School, Elgin Academy
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31:02
Seth Hanford, head of school at Elgin Academy (IL), discusses the importance of connection, community values, and spending time with students during challenging times.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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How Equity and Well-Being Work Together in Our Schools
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48:41
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.…
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Kori Rimany, English Teacher, The Frederick Gunn School
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37:26
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,Af audio podcast by NAIS
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The Conversation: The Power of Affinity Spaces for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asians
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34:02
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 …
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Briel Schmitz, Head of School, and Alexa Carver, Former Board Chair, Spruce Street School
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45:16
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.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Mark McKee, Head of School, Viewpoint School
32:47
32:47
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32:47
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.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Taryn Upchurch, Director of Outreach, Tru School
29:03
29:03
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29:03
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.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Gary Krahn, Head of School, La Jolla Country Day School
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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.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Joe Powers, Head of School, The Woods Academy
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32:16
Joe Powers, head of school at The Woods Academy (MD), discusses how elementary school leaders can innovate, the future of elementary school leadership, and how he stays in the moment.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Casey Hitchcock and Johnathan Harris, Co-heads of School, Lynnhaven School: The Conversation
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35:23
In this episode of Member Voices: The Conversation, we are featuring a dialogue between colleagues at NAIS member schools, published in the Summer issue of Independent School magazine.Casey Hitchcock and Johnathan Harris, co-heads of school at Lynnhaven School (VA), discuss how they landed on this leadership model, the benefits of two heads, and wh…
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Kevin Costa, Director of Innovation and Learning, McDonogh School
29:37
29:37
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29:37
Innovation is vital to school transformation. Member Voices is taking a closer look at innovation in a three-part miniseries.In the final episode of “Fostering Innovation,” NAIS Director of Innovation Programs Jackie Wolking speaks with Kevin Costa, director of innovation and learning at McDonogh School (MD). Kevin describes his school's innovation…
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Liz Walgamuth, Head of School, Grace School
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33:33
Innovation is vital to school transformation. Member Voices is taking a closer look at innovation in a three-part miniseries. In the second episode of “Fostering Innovation,” NAIS Director of Innovation Programs Jackie Wolking speaks with Liz Walgamuth, head of school at Grace School (TX). Liz shares how she redesigns space within the confines of a…
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Greg Chalfin, Head of Middle School, Stanley British Primary School
38:09
38:09
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38:09
Innovation is vital to school transformation. Member Voices is taking a closer look at the work of fostering innovation in a three-part miniseries.In the first episode of “Fostering Innovation,” NAIS Director of Innovation Programs Jackie Wolking speaks with Greg Chalfin, head of middle school at Stanley British Primary School (CO). Greg describes …
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New View EDU: Schools as Practice Zones for Adulting (with Julie Lythcott-Haims)
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Listen to an episode from our sister NAIS podcast, featuring bestselling author, speaker, and former Dean at Stanford, Julie Lythcott-Haims.Julie joins NAIS Chief Innovation Officer Tim Fish and author and futurist Lisa Kay Solomon to share her insights on the role of schools in creating capable, responsible adults -- not just high-stat students wh…
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Luthern Williams, Head of School, New Roads School
28:28
28:28
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28:28
Diverse and inclusive communities benefit everyone. In the third and final episode of the Member Voices miniseries “Cultivating Diverse and Inclusive Communities,” we talk with Luthern Williams, head of New Roads School (CA). Luthern shares how he strives to be a servant leader, his vision for well-being as the foundation of education, and how we a…
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Noni Thomas Lopez, Head of School, The Gordon School
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31:05
Diverse and inclusive communities benefit everyone. Member Voices is taking a closer look at the work of cultivating diverse and inclusive communities in a three-part miniseries. In the second episode of “Cultivating Diverse and Inclusive Communities,” we talk with Noni Thomas Lopez, head of the Gordon School (RI). She talks with us about how becom…
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Randall Dunn, Head of School, Latin School of Chicago
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35:40
Diverse and inclusive communities benefit everyone. Member Voices is taking a closer look at the work of cultivating diverse and inclusive communities in a three-part miniseries.In the first episode of “Cultivating Diverse and Inclusive Communities,” we talk with Randall Dunn, head of Latin School of Chicago (IL). He describes the importance of bui…
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Enrollment Trends Amid the Pandemic: Special Episode – Part 2
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30:37
In our second and final episode on the topic of enrollment, Joe Corbett, NAIS research analyst, speaks with Amada Torres, NAIS vice president of studies, insights, and research about national trends. These trends include enrollment changes due to the pandemic and those unique to lower schools, along with how these trends compare to previous years a…
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Enrollment Trends Amid the Pandemic: Special Episode – Part 1
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34:53
In the first of a two-part enrollment series, Joe Corbett, NAIS research analyst, speaks with Duane Emery, director of enrollment management at Sycamore School (IN). They discuss enrollment declines due to the pandemic, enrollment in lower grade levels, and how the school navigated these challenges.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Tucker Foehl, Head of School, Sonoma Academy
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39:28
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39:28
As we welcome this year’s cohort of new heads of school, Member Voices is taking a closer look at the transition to headship in a three-part miniseries. In the third and final episode of Transitioning to Headship, we talk with Tucker Foehl, head of school at Sonoma Academy (CA). Tucker details how he worked to build up his skills prior to before hi…
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New View EDU episode one comes out on August 10.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Jennifer Landis, Head of School, Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child
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34:13
As we welcome this year’s new heads of school, Member Voices is taking a closer look at the transition to headship in a three-part miniseries.In the second episode of Transitioning to Headship, we talk with Jennifer Landis, new head at Oak knoll School of the Holy Child (NJ). She shares how she finds joy and balance in her work, how being a divisio…
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Suzanne Walker Buck, Head of School, Western Reserve Academy
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31:23
New heads of school often begin their tenure in July, and as we welcome this year’s new heads, Member Voices is taking a closer look at the transition to headship in a three-part miniseries.In the first episode of Transitioning to Headship, we talk with Suzanne Walker Buck, head of Western Reserve Academy (OH). She describes how she approached the …
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The Trustee Table - Fundraising Fundamentals - The Trustee’s Role in Philanthropy
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20:26
In this special crossover episode from our sister NAIS podcast, the Trustee Table, Dave Sternberg explains the biggest misconceptions trustees have about fundraising, how they can become more comfortable in their fundraising role, and presents ways to build and sustain donor relationships. Dave has been a fundraising professional since obtaining hi…
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Ray McGaughey, Director of Admissions, High Mountain Institute—Part 2
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30:40
In the second and final part of my conversation with Ray, recorded in February 2021, we revisit our pre-pandemic conversation to see how he and his school are doing and how the events of the past year have changed his approach.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Ray McGaughey, Director of Admissions, High Mountain Institute - Part 1
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30:42
In the first of two parts, recorded in March 2020, Ray discusses his semester school’s unique model that emphasizes time in the outdoors, how he approaches recruiting, and why he loves running without headphones.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Kim Evelti, Director of Curriculum and Computer Science Teacher, The Williston Northampton School
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25:07
Kim tells us about how her school approaches staff professional development, how she builds curriculum in such a turbulent time, and what she misses most about her role pre-pandemic.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Andre Withers, Assistant Head of School, The Madeira School - Part 2
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22:23
In the second and final part of my conversation with Andre, Andre discusses his leadership of his school's COVID-19 task force, how schools can create a unique value proposition for families, and how critical issues for schools can be opportunities.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Andre Withers, Assistant Head of School, The Madeira School - Part 1
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21:16
In the first of two parts, Andre discusses how he and his team are working to avoid burnout, his role as assistant head in transitioning a new head of school, and how he approaches implicit bias in hiring.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Jaimi Boehm, Director of Middle School, Wildwood School
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32:40
Jaimi shares her experience of navigating a new role and a pandemic at the same time. She also talks about how she and her colleagues led productive conversations during the presidential election and her podcast recommendations.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Anne Glass, Head of School, Purnell School
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35:29
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35:29
Anne talks with us about her journey from investment banking to headship, the unique value of girls-only education, and the importance of knowing who you are as a school.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Jamie Williamson, Head of School, The Windward School
29:16
29:16
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29:16
Jamie joins us to discuss how being a school psychologist has informed his approach to headship, the work he has done for children with learning differences, and what it was like being new to his school community when the pandemic hit.Af audio podcast by NAIS
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Ralinda Watts, Dir of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Assoc Dir of Admission, The Buckley School
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33:11
Ralinda tells us how she has dealt with the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice, how she feels the Black@ movement is the best “racial audit” for schools, and how she wants this time to be “not a moment but a movement.”Af audio podcast by NAIS
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