For Aspiring Leaders
The Board Chair’s Role in “Keeping your Head of School”
The Education Group Consultant, Andrew Wooden writes about the critical role of board chair succession planning in supporting long-term and successful Heads of School. Drawing on key articles and personal experience, the author argues that a strong, well-matched board chair is essential for a healthy headship and the overall stability of independent schools.
What It's Really Like to be a New Head of School
Laura Fuller brings her diverse and broad experience as a classroom teacher, department chair, division administrator, and head of school, in 4 different regions of the country, to her role as consultant for head of school searches and executive coaching.
Former Head as Mentor: Why Pay for What We Can Get for Free?
Bob Kirkpatrick is an experienced leader in independent schools who over his 42-year career served in a number of roles, most recently as head of school for St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, Texas. Previous to his nine years at St. Stephen’s, he led Fox Chapel Country Day School in Pittsburgh, PA for seven years. Here he addresses an especially sensitive issue: Should a school’s retired head serve as a mentor to his successor?
When a New Head Succeeds a Legend
In his 42 years in independent schools, Dave Davies has served as head of the Deerfield-Windsor School (GA); a “founding” upper school head; an interim head; and a 27-year veteran of boarding school life. Here he addresses the challenges faced by a new Head succeeding a legendary school leader.