NAIS - NAIS Member Voices

NAIS Member Voices is a new podcast specifically focusing on the thoughtful, hard-working individuals that make up the independent school community. Each episode features a discussion with a different staff member at an NAIS member school about his or her role, 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 a new episode each month.

Find the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Google Play

Episode 1: Alex Brosowsky, Head of School, The Quaker School at Horsham

Alex Brosowsky, head of school at The Quaker School at Horsham (Pennsylvania) speaks with us about running and marketing a small school, changes he’s noticed in independent schools over time, and the need to stop and take deep breaths.

Relevant Resources:

Young Brains, New Tricks: An Introduction and Guide to Teaching Executive Function
This webinar is accessible to NAIS members only. Scroll halfway down the page to find this webinar.
Mission Control: Launching Your Small School Marketing Strategy
Alex’s 2017 NAIS Annual Conference presentation may be purchased through the NAIS Virtual Pass.

Episode 2: Ann Klotz, Headmistress, Laurel School

Ann Klotz, headmistress at Laurel School (Ohio) speaks with us about her theatrical background, women in independent schools, and daring to fail gloriously.

Relevant Resources:

Love the Words, from the Spring 2016 issue of Independent School magazine
For the New Year, Nine Mantras and Mottoes, from Independent Ideas: The Independent School Magazine Blog

Episode 3: Ruth Glass, Head of School, Lake Tahoe School

Ruth Glass, head of school at Lake Tahoe School (Nevada) discusses the need for community, how she approaches meeting with parents, her proudest moments, and more.

Relevant Resource:

NAIS Connect, an online community to share ideas and resources with peers.

Episode 4: Crissy Caceres, Assistant Head of School, Georgetown Day School

Crissy Caceres, Assistant Head of School at Georgetown Day School (Washington, DC), joins us to discuss best practices for creating an inclusive school community, the value of social activism, and how she spends her “free time.”

Relevant Resources:

2017 NAIS People of Color Conference, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, in Anaheim, CA.
Registration opens Sept. 5.
Diversity Leadership Institute
Follow along and be part of the DLI conversation on Twitter with #NAISDLI.
The NAIS Knowledge Center provides diversity and inclusion resources, information, and best practices.
Some articles may be accessible to NAIS members only.
NAIS’ Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism provides schools with a deep understanding of the climate of inclusion on their campus.

Episode 5: Chaka Cummings, Middle School Director, Blake School

Available: July 11

Chaka Cummings, Middle School Director at the Blake School (Minnesota), joins us to discuss how his background in corporate finance shaped his pedagogy, his experience as a division head of color, and some of his favorite movie quotes.

Questions? Comments? Stories you’d like to share on the podcast?

Please send thoughts and ideas to us at membership@nais.org.