The ISM Members-Only Podcast

School Heads & Business Officers: Data-Enabled Strategies to Grow Enrollment

Documenting your school’s value proposition is typically viewed as the work of marketing and enrollment management. However, School Heads and Business Officers have vital roles to play.
Join us to explore exciting new analytic, research, and financial management techniques that will help you shape your school’s value proposition. Explore the roles of the School Head and Chief Financial Officer with the guidance of Dr. Harry Bloom of Measuring Success and Teri Schrader, Head of School at Watkinson School, Connecticut.

A Conversation on Social Brain Theory and School Size

In a 1993 study, Robin Dunbar, a British anthropologist, theorized that humans could have no more than 150 meaningful relationships, a measure that became known as “Dunbar’s Number.”
Do Dunbar’s number and research on social brain theory apply to the structuring of independent schools? Join ISM Consultant Andrew Taylor, Ed.D., and ISM Consultant and Director of Faculty and Curriculum, Josh Nelson, Ph.D., as they discuss this theory as it relates to school size and depth of relationships.

Before You Make the 2023–24 Tuition Decision

School tuition-setting is a complicated process. Parents are often perplexed—even upset—over tuition increases that outpace marketplace inflation. While this is a complex decision, we have strategies that will help you evaluate your options. 
In this webinar, we'll guide you through points to consider before finalizing next year’s tuition, including a look at the current financial climate. Additionally, we'll share approaches for communicating your new tuition to your community. You will have confidence in your decision-making process and a working tool to help you build tuition-increase scenarios.

How School Heads Can Maintain Balance (Even in Small Schools)

Exhilarating. Stressful. Deeply gratifying. All-consuming.
Headship is not for the faint of heart. You answer to a multitude of constituents. You’re responsible for addressing questions and making decisions in the here and now while preparing your school for the future. Heads of small schools might feel even more pressure, often filling gaps in the classroom or administrative offices as needed.
It can feel downright overwhelming. But there is a way to maintain balance and practice self-care. Join Scott Wilson, ISM’s Executive Leadership Department Chair—who served as a School Head for 23 years—to explore the careful balancing act Heads must adhere to. He’ll share tips for managing today’s concerns, preparing for tomorrow’s challenges, and keeping your mental health and sense of self intact.

Five Ways to Make Your School Makerspace a Thriving Place of Belonging

Makerspaces are dedicated areas where students use hands-on techniques and tools to design, experiment, build, and invent. These spaces foster learning through inquiry and help develop students’ real-life, critical-thinking skills.
But if you’ve found it challenging to use your school’s makerspaces effectively and equitably, you’re not alone. Join Margaret Powers (founder of Creative Thinking Partners LLC), Dr. Kelly Bird (ISM Summer Institute Faculty and Director at the Beginning School at Renbrook School), and ISM Consultant Joshua Nelson as they discuss the value of makerspaces and how to ensure they support student belonging and fruitful learning.

WISE: A New Program Providing Critical Student Mental Health Support

One in six children in the United States has a mental health disorder.
Anxiety in teens has increased by 93.6% since 2019.
1.8 million additional therapists are needed to effectively treat serious mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
In 2021, only 15% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported receiving mental health services at school.
More than 50% of adolescents indicated they would seek mental health support if it were more readily available.
These numbers are frightening, but there is hope. Access to a professional–when students need it most—could help you prevent a tragedy and maybe even save a student’s life.
ISM has partnered with HEP-Health Care to create WISE (Wellness in Independent Secondary Education)—a smartphone app that gives students 24/7/365 access to live mental health professionals instantaneously. In this webinar, Dr. Deborah Beck, MPA, Ed.D., FACHA, and President of HEP-HealthCare, will discuss the mental health crisis among students today. Dr. Beck will explain how our new program can partner with your school’s counselors to provide invaluable support and resources for your entire school. Tune in to see a live demonstration of the program and discover how it will make a difference for your students, faculty and staff.

Attract Ideal Candidates With These Job Posting Tips

When seeking to fill a position at your school, crafting a compelling job posting is essential for finding earnest and desirable candidates. Your job posting, however, should not be the same as the job description. The job posting is the first impression for a potential new hire. It should present your school’s specific purpose, mission, and culture, differentiating your school from all others. 
For example, if you’re looking to hire a middle school teacher, try writing the job posting this way: “Are you interested in guiding kids on their journey to young adulthood, with all the quirkiness that comes with it? Our school seeks a dynamic, patient, and enthusiastic middle school teacher who isn’t rattled by some awkwardness.”

Navigating the Political Divide Among Independent School Adults

School leaders are tasked with helping young people become diplomatic citizens who can calmly discuss the emotionally charged issues our society faces. But if the adults in your school community—faculty, staff, parents, and Trustees—feel both philosophically divided and unprepared to broach tough conversations, the task becomes much more difficult.
Your school community can move forward—with the right approach. Join Scott Wilson, ISM Executive Leadership Department Head and former Head of School at Baylor School, TN, to explore strategies he used to ensure the cooperation of the entire school and best support your students.

What to Do When Your Learning Support Program Isn’t Enough

Learning support services in independent schools are growing. But despite a dedicated and caring faculty working hard to provide individualized education plans, your program might not be meeting the needs of some students.
In this webinar, Brad Rogers, Head of School at The Gow School—a mission-driven school in New York for students with dyslexia—will share his expertise on supporting students with learning differences. He’ll also share how he partners with independent schools to ensure ALL students are provided the best school experience possible.

How Can We Solve the Talent Crisis? Insights From ISM Research

Are teachers really leaving independent schools? We’ll share our latest research and our recommendations regarding faculty trends. 
The statistics are staggering.
Roughly 35% fewer college students are pursuing teacher preparation programs.
About 50% of all new teachers will leave the profession within their first five years.
In the 2021–22 school year, less than 60% of job openings were filled with new hires. 
All arrows point to a teacher talent crisis—but are independent schools experiencing the same trends as their public or charter school counterparts?
Join this webinar to hear ISM’s latest research on the state of the teacher crisis—whether you should worry, what teachers shared with us, and what we anticipate for the future.