Small schools face an unique set of challenges when it comes to major gifts. With a modest staff and possibly smaller network within the community, it can seem like a daunting task to run a major gifts program. However, we’ve found that many of the challenges small schools believe they face are based in perception, not reality.

We often refer to the Characteristics of Professional Excellence: A list of specific behaviors, values, and attitudes that every school must create to illustrate how its faculty acts to meet the school’s mission and helps mold its intended graduates. ISM has developed a broad list of Characteristics of Professional Excellence that includes 35 items we believe should help guide private-independent school educators’ actions and behaviors.

All School Heads face the same dichotomy when it comes to the Board: You are the Board’s sole employee and are expected to receive direction from its members. Yet, you are the person in the school each day. Board meetings are times when the whole Board comes together. Each meeting is the perfect time to help influence the Board’s operations and demonstrate your skill as a leader. Preparing effectively for each Board meeting is essential.

Recent research shows that stress can indeed be contagious within your school. Researchers from the University of British Columbia conducted a study of more than 400 elementary school students from different grade levels. They examined students’ cortisol levels, finding that students who tested higher for the stress hormone also had teachers who reported higher levels of burnout.

Most administrators at a private-independent school take on the roles of mentors at one point or another. Whether that’s working with members of the faculty or staff, helping a new hire come up to speed, or managing a department, giving effective and useful feedback can greatly impact your school culture.

As November quickly approaches, it is a good time to start evaluating how your international students are acclimating to their new experiences. Students should be settled into their routine and aware of elements that are uncomfortable or hindering to their progress.

Keeping up with technology has become a chief concern for many schools, often representing a major portion of their budgets each year. Private-independent schools, competing with public and charter schools that typically have greater available funding, find this particularly troublesome.

When new Trustees come to the Board, part of their orientation process must be to understand the special relationship the Board has with the Head.

It’s critical for Division Heads to help faculty members increase their knowledge and sharpen their approaches through professional development. Your school’s professional initiatives must be designed to help teachers navigate the rapidly evolving world of education to meet the needs of today’s students.

It’s always important to continue pursuing your professional development initiatives. That could mean diving into a good book, listening to a podcast on your way to school, or watching a video between meetings or other tasks.