 Letter from the President Kirk Walker, Ph.D.
Several years ago, a friend told me that he thought that independent schools were "counter cultural." As a child of the '60s, I was at first puzzled by his remark. My college roommate was one of the celebrants at Woodstock; and though he was a graduate of a prestigious Northeastern preparatory school, I did not equate his behavior at that concert with the aspirations of his alma mater.
Times change, cultures shift, and so do definitions. And after reflection, I realized how true my friend's comment was.
In many ways, independent schools are swimming against a cultural current. And the current seems to be getting stronger. The disintegration of the family structure, the ebbing influence of religious institutions, and the pervasive influence of pop culture continue to define the world of Generation Z. In this milieu, the role of the school has never been more critical, nor have the demands placed on the schools ever been more extensive. For one-third of the day, five-sevenths of the week, three-fourths of the year, for 13 to 17 years, schools are the great and only common denominator for our youth, and therefore, our nation's future.
Thankfully, in a culture that seems increasingly divisive, your schools emphasize teamwork. Where distrust and anger seem sadly commonplace, you emphasize hope and respect. In a culture that is often quick to judge, you encourage patience and understanding. In a culture of the superficial, you offer depth. And in a world of sound bite exchanges, you embrace thoughtful debate. As odd as it may sound, you are "counter cultural."
I am confident that most (if not all) of you became educators because you believed that teaching students to think and to care was the best way to enhance their lives and to make the world better. It was and still is. As we begin 2016, keep swimming.
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 Legislative Roundup
SAIS recently took a look at the hot education issues facing state legislators in 2016. Here is a roundup from the Southeast.
>>Read more.
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 The Secret Lives of Teachers By Anonymous
Reviewed by Lee Hark, Assistant Head of School & Upper School Director, Durham Academy, Durham, NC
One morning in the spring of 1992, Brad Gioia called me to ask if I'd be interested in applying for a teaching internship at Darlington School, my alma mater. Mere months from graduating from Chapel Hill, I had been accepted into law schools but had little interest in going (my father's dream, not mine; cue the "I don't want your life!" scene from Varsity Blues), and teaching English sounded like a fun way to while away the time as I figured out my next move. I didn't have an idea in my head that hadn't been put there by someone else, and I knew even less about the subject of English (to say nothing of teaching it), but after an interview that could only be described as desultory, Brad nevertheless saw fit to offer me the job. Given my limited role as an intern, I suspect he thought the damage I'd inflict would be minimal - a dangerous assumption with one as earnest as I. >>Read more. |
2016 Accreditation Workshops
SAIS accreditation workshops are designed for the school's team responsible for administering the process onsite. This could include the accreditation coordinator, steering committee, and other administrative personnel. The workshop includes a review of the Guidebook and logistics of the process, and offers participants the opportunity to ask questions in an informal setting. The workshop fee is $75 per person.
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2016 SAIS Athletic Directors Conference
SAIS is hosting an Athletic Directors Conference, January 14-15, 2016, in Atlanta. Topics will include strategic leadership, marketing and social media, legal issues, and operational excellence in the athletic offerings at the school. >>More information. >>Register here.
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SAIS offers a variety of affordable, accessible, and relevant professional development programs for independent school leaders.
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January 14-15 | Atlanta, GA
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February 24-26 | San Francisco, CA
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April 18-19 | Asheville, NC
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June 13-15 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
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June 14-15 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
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June 15-17 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
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June 15-17 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
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June 15-17 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
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June 21-24 | Omni Amelia Island Plantation | Amelia Island, FL
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June & July | Charlotte, NC | Nashville, TN | Atlanta, GA
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October 22 | Crowne Plaza Ravinia | Atlanta, GA
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October 22-24 | Crowne Plaza Ravinia | Atlanta, GA
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On-Site Board Workshops
SAIS President Dr. Kirk Walker and Vice President Damian Kavanagh are available to visit your campus and conduct on-site governance workshops.
- Trusteeship for Independent Schools
- New Trustee Orientation
- Becoming an Outstanding Board
- The Changing Landscape of Independent School Governance
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WANTED:
Your School's Logo
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Retiring in 2016? 
If you are a head of school who will be retiring at the end of the 2015-16 school year, please let us know so we can induct you into the SAIS Legacy Club, a group of retired heads of school who gather twice a year. Please complete our Legacy Club bio form.
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Benchmarking Data Collection
It's time to enter your data into DASL by NAIS. We are not collecting this important statistical information and encourage all schools, regardless of NAIS membership to enter data. When you need a benchmark on salary or student ratios or operational expenditures, you will need it. Don't delay - data entry has already started. Visit http://dasl.nais.org for more information and to get started.
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Consultant Grant Lichtman writes about finding a school's collective North Star.
Maryellen Berry, upper elementary division head at Trinity School in Atlanta, GA, ponders the legacy of teachers.
Educational blogger Dawn Braa examines the importance of recess.
One Word 2016 #Yes Kimberly Hurd Horst, 5th grade teacher at Cambridge-Isanti Schools in Cambridge, MN, offers inspiration for the new year.
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New Year's resolutions, more recess time and two Tampa coaches win big.
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Just Say Cheese:
Your Photos Wanted!
Got any great photos of your campus, students, or a special occasion at your school? Would you be willing to let SAIS use them on our website, in marketing materials, and in publications such as this? If so, please send high-resolution files to anna@sais.org.
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