NAIS Member Voices Podcast

​NAIS Member Voices Podcast
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 Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, TuneIn, Spotify, and other podcast apps.

Looking for more NAIS podcasts? Listen to New View EDU to explore the future of schools.

Want to sponsor an episode? Click here for more information.
 

New! Season 8 Episodes: 2024-2025

Check back each month for a new episode!

Greg MartinEpisode 95: Rethinking Retention and Recruitment with Greg Martin, Vermont Academy

Release Date: December 2
Greg Martin, dean of faculty at Vermont Academy (VT), outlines a proactive year-round hiring approach focused on building relationships with potential candidates to enhance recruitment and retention. He highlights the importance of adapting to the needs of Generation Z employees, who prioritize work-life balance and community. He also stresses the importance of faculty well-being, noting the need for schools to be mindful of preventing burnout and to create an environment where educators feel valued and supported.

Relevant Resources:

 

Sara SternEpisode 94: Supercharging a Summer Camp with Sara Stern, Stanley British Primary School

Sara Stern, director of admission and summer programs at Stanley British Primary School (CO), shares tips for starting and sustaining impactful summer programs—including supporting underserved populations, creating pathways to increase socioeconomic diversity, and approaching staffing effectively. She also shares strategies for fostering fruitful partnerships with regional organizations and establishing a robust parent ambassador program to strengthen admission efforts.

Relevant Resources:

 

Erik WormwoodEpisode 93: Supporting Teacher Well-Being with Erik Wormwood, The Advent School

Erik Wormwood, upper school division head at The Advent School (MA), discusses how his school is navigating polarization and supporting student and educator well-being. He discusses his approach to working with neurodiverse learners and shares some of his emotional, proudest moments in education. He also talks about how “teaching is hard, even when you’re good at it,” and how he creates space for his team members to share what’s on their minds.

Relevant Resources:

 

Autumn Adkins GravesEpisode 92: Equipping Students in the Age of AI with Autumn Adkins Graves, St. Anne's-Belfield School

Jackie Wolking speaks with Autumn Adkins Graves, head of St. Anne's-Belfield School (VA). In their conversation, Graves shares the importance of curiosity in the age of artificial intelligence, and how her school created a portrait of a graduate with a futurist lens. She also talks about change management and how we affirm what's working well to move things along and how we have to stop trying to control tech or dismiss it.

Relevant Resources:

 

Maria Croley MaddenEpisode 91: Transitioning to Headship with Maria Croley Madden, St. Martin's Episcopal School

Maria Croley Madden, who is going into her second year as head of St. Martin's Episcopal School (GA), talks about the transition to headship and how she’s getting ready for Year 2. She shares how being a “product of independent schools” prepared her for her current role and offers tips on the transition to headship, including preparing for the interview, working with the board chair, getting up to speed on finance—and more.

Relevant Resources:

 

Will CrissmanEpisode 90: Limiting Employee Turnover with Will Crissman, Tenacre Country Day School

Tenacre Country Day School (MA), where Will Crissman is the head, has had almost no employee turnover the past few years. We talk about his school's approach to retention (and recruitment) during a time when many schools are struggling in this area. Crissman also discusses his approach to leadership – including keeping a steady emotional state, not asking people to do things he wouldn’t do himself, and having fun.


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Archives: Episodes and Resources from Past Seasons


Questions? Comments? Stories you’d like to share on the podcast?

Please send thoughts and ideas to us at [email protected].