This past year has been full of ups and downs—and great ideas, perspectives, and stories. And as we put 2024 in the rearview, we’re reflecting on how grateful we are for the expertise and wisdom of our incredible community. As you head into winter break, we hope you’ll catch up on the most-read Independent Ideas blog posts of the year. (And perhaps inspire you to make “write for the blog” a resolution in the new year—email us anytime with pitches and ideas at [email protected].)
How to Navigate Difficult Conversations as a School Leader
“I have been an educator for 31 years. Difficult conversations are part of the job, but with the right preparation, mindset, and tools, they can become more manageable and help us build and strengthen our communities,” writes Matt Levinson, head of San Francisco University High School (CA). In this post, Levinson shares the seven lessons he brings into every challenging meeting.
Navigating the Future of Education: Trends Impacting Schools Today
“Understanding what’s happening now and what’s on the horizon is critical to designing schools for the future,” writes Jackie Wolking, director of innovation at NAIS. “In our work over the past few years leading NAIS’s Strategy Lab workshops with schools, we’ve consistently heard five trends surface that are presenting challenges for school leaders.” Wolking explains what these trends are, the challenges they pose, and how schools can address them.
Tips to Improve the School-Parent Partnership
“As we gear up for a new school year, school leaders have a chance to intentionally examine how their relationships with parents are going,” writes Peggy Campbell-Rush, an educational consultant. “It’s an opportunity to continue to build on what’s working and look for ways to improve and cultivate their relationships.” Campbell-Rush offers ideas for what school leaders can do to garner confidence among parents, even in difficult times.
Why We Need to Expect More
“In a number of conversations recently, students have complained about adults not playing the roles we have been cast to play—not being the adults they expect and need,” writes Lisa Baker, an English teacher at Milton Academy (MA). “Even amid a proliferation of pedagogical tricks to keep student attention and track student learning, teachers must fight to remember that the most effective relational teaching is perhaps about challenging students to find their potential.” Baker reflects on what students need and want from adults—and why adults should expect more of themselves, too.
The Benefits of an Intentional Technology Policy
“Not allowing phones might seem unusual in a world where most students rely on technology to assist with so many aspects of their everyday lives, but the impact of this policy on students and school culture has been very positive,” writes Matthew Preston Smith, director of school at North Country School (NY). Smith examines how removing access to cell phones can help increase interaction among students.