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 4 Episodes: 2020-21
Episode 52: The Trustee Table: Fundraising Fundamentals—The Trustee’s Role in Philanthropy
Topic: Fund the Future
Listen to another great episode from our sister NAIS podcast! You can learn more about this episode, related resources, and more on our Trustee Table page.
Sponsored by CCS Fundraising
Relevant Resources:
- Independent School magazine Spring 2021 issue: Strategic Fundraising
- Independent Ideas blog: Our Finest Hour: Philanthropic Giving During the Pandemic
- NAIS Bookstore: The Trustee's Role in Fundraising: A Pain-Free Guide to Making a Major Difference for Your School
- NAIS Trustees' Guide: Fundraise
- Learn more about this episode’s sponsor, CCS Fundraising, by visiting its website.
Episode 51: Ray McGaughey, Director of Admissions, High Mountain Institute—Part 2
Topic: Manage a Crisis
In the second and final part of our 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.Relevant Resources:
- Read this Legal Tip of the Week: Use the Upcoming Summer Break to Plan for a Safer Fall.
- Attend NAIS institutes and workshops to better prepare you and your team to manage challenges.
- Check out Strategy Lab sessions with our Innovation Team to solve pressing challenges and seize the right opportunities.
Episode 50: Ray McGaughey, Director of Admissions, High Mountain Institute—Part 1
Topic: Create Inspiring Places to Learn
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.Relevant Resources:
- Participate in the NAIS Admission Community in NAIS Connect.
- Read the Winter issue of Independent School magazine, which focuses on race in independent schools.
- Get tips for “Bringing the Outdoors Indoors,” from the Fall 2019 issue of Independent Teacher.
Episode 49: Kim Evelti, Director of Curriculum and Computer Science Teacher, The Williston Northampton School
Topic: Build an Effective Team
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.Sponsored by Search Associates
Relevant Resources:
- Check out Knowledge Center articles related to Curriculum and Instruction.
- Read " Finding Professional Development Opportunities at the Graduate Level,” a February 2019 Independent Ideas blog post.
- Listen to Member Voices episodes from Season 1, Season 2, and Season 3.
- Learn more about this episode’s sponsor, Search Associates, by visiting its website.
Episode 48: Andre Withers, Assistant Head of School, The Madeira School—Part 2
Topic: Lead Through Change
In the second and final part of our conversation with Andre, he 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.Relevant Resources:
- Read “Pandemic School Models Accelerate Disruption,” a January 2021 Independent Ideas blog post.
- Read the January 18 Legal Tip of the Week: Time to Revisit Your Vaccine Policy.
- Read the Winter 2021 issue of Independent School magazine, focusing on a conversation about racism, schools, systems, and necessary change.
- Listen to Andre and his co-hosts on The Straight A's Podcast, which highlights the value proposition of independent schools through insightful and fun storytelling.
Episode 47: Andre Withers, Assistant Head of School, The Madeira School—Part 1
Topic: Recruit and Retain Top Talent
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.Sponsored by ATOMS Placement Services
Relevant Resources:
- Watch the recording of the NAIS Webinar: Learn How to Avoid Burnout: The Resilience Advantage.
- Use The NAIS Head Search Handbook in your school’s next search for a new head of school.
- Read “Addressing Implicit Bias in the Hiring Process,” an article from the Fall 2018 issue of Independent School magazine.
- Learn more about this episode’s sponsor, ATOMS Placement Services, by visiting its website.
Episode 46: Jaimi Boehm, Director of Middle School, Wildwood School
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.
Relevant Resources:
- Explore articles from the Fall 2020 issue of Independent School magazine, focused on community health and well-being.
- Participate in an upcoming webinar focused on top issues facing independent schools, including risk management and crisis communication strategies.
- Take the pulse of your school with COVID-19 Parent and Faculty/Staff Satisfaction Surveys.
Episode 45: Anne Glass, Head of School, Purnell School
Topic: Ensure Financial Sustainability
Anne talks with us about her journey from investment banking to headship, the unique value of an all-girls education, and the importance of knowing who you are as a school.Relevant Resources:
- Participate in the 2020-2021 NAIS Leadership Series: Planning for a Sustainable Future webinars.
- Read "What Idea Has Been Game-Changing for Your School?" an article from the Winter 2020 issue of Independent School magazine.
- Explore the newest features of Market View, including COVID-19 data.
Episode 44: Jamie Williamson, Head of School, The Windward School
Topic: Cultivate Diverse and Inclusive Communities
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.Relevant Resources:
- Read "The Windward School Launches Institute for Childhood Literacy," a School News article from the Summer 2020 issue of Independent School magazine.
- Read "What Leaders Do You Admire Outside the School Industry?" an article from the Summer 2020 issue of Independent School magazine.
- Join the conversation in the Learning Differences online community through NAIS Connect.
Episode 43: Ralinda Watts, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Associate Director of Admission, The Buckley School
Topic: Grow Enrollment
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.”
Relevant Resources:
- Read "Enrollment Decision-Making Amid COVID-19: 4 Effects to Manage," a May 2020 blog post from the Indpendent Ideas blog.
- Watch "From Diversity to Inclusion and Equity: Expanding and Reframing Your Institutional Strategy," a video with Erica Pernell, director of inclusion and multicultural practice at Shady Hill School (MA).
- Watch "Creating a Culture that Promotes Diverse Leadership," a video with faculty members and participants from the 2017 NAIS Diversity Leadership Institute and School Leadership Institute.
Episode 42: Henry Fairfax, Head of School, Revolution School
Topic: Start Strong
Henry joins us to discuss what it was like dealing with a pandemic in his school’s first year, how his school is “planning around yellow lights” when preparing to reopen in the fall, and what his experience has been like as a student, teacher, and administrator in independent schools.
Relevant Resources:
- Get resources from the new NAIS Toolkit: Reopening Amid COVID-19.
- Watch "How Schools Can Improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practices," a video with 2017 Diversity Leadership Institute participants and faculty.
- Watch "Defining Implicit Bias and Racial Anxiety," a video from the 2015 NAIS Equity Summit at Georgetown University.
Episode 41: Aretina Hamilton, Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Interlochen Center for the Arts
In this episode devoted to race and racism in independent schools, we speak with Aretina about how schools should “lean into being uncomfortable” when creating anti-racist spaces of belonging and how the Black@ movement provides school leaders with an opportunity to openly discuss the “whispers in the hallway.”
Relevant Resources:
- Read and discuss the NAIS Principles of Good Practice - Equity and Justice with your team.
- Join the 2020 People of Color Conference online this year. Keep an eye out for more details about the reimagined event.
- Better understand your school climate with the Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism.
Episode 40: The Trustee Table—Mastering Crisis Management: How to Stay Ahead of the Curve
Topic: Promote Great Governance
Listen to a a timely episode from our sister NAIS podcast! You can learn more about this episode, related resources, and more on our Trustee Table page.