The ISM Members-Only Podcast

How Mental Health Initiatives Affect Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement

A healthy school is only possible if it’s home to healthy students. Although schools have embraced physical health education, students benefit most from wellness programming when an array of wellness and mental health services are available. Many schools still fall short of providing comprehensive mental health programs, depriving students and the larger communities of numerous benefits.Learn how robust mental health initiatives improve family recruitment, increase student retention, and engage alumni. When intervention occurs early, mental health treatment and wellness services can make a tremendous difference.

Leading for Well-Being and Mental Health: Influence, Impact, and Implications

Work and learning have shifted fundamentally, and leaders have a tremendous influence on mental health and well-being. Join us to hear new perspectives, fascinating research, and fresh viewpoints on how school leaders can influence positive experiences for their teachers, students, and peers—with implications for well-being and health.

Does ChatGPT Belong in the Independent School Classroom?

It’s difficult to find someone NOT talking about ChatGPT’s advantages and disadvantages. Every industry seems to have found a way to use its capabilities. But what about independent schools? Does ChatGPT have a place in the classroom?
Join us for an exciting discussion exploring how private-independent schools can leverage ChatGPT, a cutting-edge language model, for teaching and learning. In this session, ISM Consultants Mike Gwaltney and Josh Nelson will discuss how ChatGPT can be used to create personalized learning experiences and improve student engagement. They’ll also explore real examples of how private-independent schools can use ChatGPT today.

Reflecting on Equitable Fulfillment of Your School’s Mission

If you don’t understand where you’ve been, you cannot look forward to where you’re going.
As you’re busy wrapping up the school year, it’s essential to pause and consider the year. Did your mission statement, values, and traditions equitably serve the needs and desires of all the students at your school? Or do those elements require reevaluation?
In this webinar, Dr. Jason Gines—ISM Adjunct Consultant and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) practitioner—will create a space for honest reflection and provide a framework for conversations about potential changes to your school’s core documents. He’ll unravel concerns and excuses hindering independent school leaders from exploring these topics. He’ll provide you with strategies to initiate student-focused reassessments.

Take the Guesswork Out of Your Digital Marketing Campaigns

The way families find and research schools has changed, and schools must adapt their marketing efforts accordingly. Digital marketing has the power to set your school apart—if you can harness its potential.
In this webinar, Clint Losch (ISM Advancement Academy Faculty and Director of Business Development, Powered by ISM) and Jamie Giblett (Sales Manager, Digistorm) will discuss how to evaluate your school’s current digital marketing efforts and implement strategies based on data, not speculation.

The Board’s Path to Development

Guiding the school’s fundraising efforts is one of the Board’s primary responsibilities. The Development Committee plays a critical role in enabling the Board to further its strategic and financial goals. How do you ensure your Development Committee effectively supports the Board’s fundraising initiatives?
In this webinar, ISM Consultant Michael Christopher will discuss how to form a Development Quartet (Board President, Development Committee Chair, School Head, and Development Director) and how this group can robustly further your development efforts.
When the Development Quartet and the Committee fulfill their responsibilities as effective partners in the school’s philanthropic program, everyone—especially your students—wins!

Spring Break for School Heads: The Importance of Time for Rest and Renewal

Only School Heads truly understand the burden of the school calendar and the hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly requirements of their role as leaders of their institutions. Demands of the job and the Head’s sense of responsibility to the school can be overwhelming and can force School Heads to lead a “work addiction” existence. Such a life is unhealthy for all parties: the Head, the Head’s family and friends, and the school itself.
Join Scott Wilson, ISM Consultant and Platinum Executive Coach, to explore the realities and demands of Headship and the counterintuitive necessity of regularly “getting away from work.” He will share the knowledge he has gained through his 24-year career as a School Head.

The School Head and Board’s Role in Advancement: A Panel Discussion

Collaboration between your Board, your School Head, and your Advancement Team (Marketing Communication Professionals, Development Directors, Admission Directors, and enrollment managers) is essential to successfully achieve your enrollment and fundraising goals.
As you look ahead to the 2023–24 school year, how can you think strategically about this collective approach?
The following panelists will share their experiences and provide expert insight:
Isabel Sankaran-Wee, CFRE, IAP-L, Director of Advancement at Stratford Hall, B.C. Canada;
Steve Salvo, Head of School at St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School, FL;
Penny Abrahams, ISM Senior Consultant, Advancement Department Head, and Advancement Academy Convener; and
Scott Wilson, ISM Executive Leadership Department Head and Platinum Executive Coach.

Your Schedule and Conditions That Promote Durable Learning

Student well-being and creating a healthy balance are hot topics in the education field. But where do you begin, practically and effectively?
Join ISM Consultant Andrew Taylor to discover how your school’s schedule affects student well-being, the potential for durable learning, and why these matter. He’ll discuss the science behind human brain function and how stress affects durable learning—deep and lasting knowledge retention. Your schedule and corresponding learning environment must be designed to minimize the negative effects of stress and maximize each student's ability to learn.

Private School Students and Post-Pandemic Well-Being: A Report

Before the pandemic, many schools realized they had reached a tipping point regarding student health and safety. Increasing academic demands designed to position students to compete successfully for limited enrollment invitations to prestigious universities were harming students’ long-term success and well-being. Simultaneously, sharp increases in mental health issues and suicides among those under 18 were rightfully fueling concerns.
Since the pandemic’s start, a new set of stressors has affected students’ well-being, and many schools have placed student mental health as a top issue to address. In this webinar, Dr. Bryan Smyth—ISM Senior Consultant and Director of Research—will share what ISM has learned about the status of student well-being.