Over the past year, we’ve written about everything from handling criticism and crafting job descriptions to the dangerous ways students try to get high—and we’ll be sure to cover more hot topics in the year to come. Before we move on, though, let's look back to the top-read articles in the School Head e-Letter over the past year.
1. "Detoxing" Faculty Negativity
Vol. 12 No. 7
Why we've included it: Most schools have at least one teacher or administrator who brings the others down. While not all are able to be rehabilitated into positive members of the school community, we thought we'd offer some tips on dealing with common forms of negativity that require active intervention.
2. Responding to Criticism, Part One
Vol. 13 No. 1
Why we've included it: John Oliver made quite the splash this year with his new satirical "news" show, "Last Week Tonight," though not everyone was pleased with his assessment of their products or processes. Knowing that, as School Head, you often make controversial decisions that can invite crticism, we analyzed one company's reaction to Oliver's public critique for lessons you can use at school to mitigate problems caused by questioning communities.
3. Responding to Criticism, Part Two
Vol. 13 No. 2
Why we've included it: Of course, for every excellent example on how to handle critical views, there will be ten that exemplify how not to handle criticism. Enter our second example from "Last Week Tonight": Federal Communication Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler and the net neutrality debate.
4. Comprehensive Interviewing: In-Person Interviews
Vol. 13 No. 4
Why we've included it: Interviews have a different feel, depending on what side of the desk you're sitting. If you're nervous and unsure about how to pull off an excellent, informative interview, read this article and take some of the advice to heart. (And, if you're still in the phone screening stage, there's an article for that, too.)
5. Fact or Fiction? 5 Strange Ways Students (Try to) Get High
Vol. 13 No. 2
Why we've included it: Yes, it's entertaining to see the strange, innovative ways children think they can become inebriated—banana peels are a thing, apparently—but this article serves as a wake-up call: Not all drugs come from off the street. Common substances found in your computer lab or bathrooms can become dangerous when abused.
6. Mac vs Microsoft: Don’t “Scroogle” Your Advertising Strategy
Vol. 12 No. 6
Why we've included it: Sure, you aren't involved in your school's day-to-day marketing as your primary duty beyond presenting a positive image to the community. However, as the School Head, you help craft the overall image of your school that you want your marketing to convey. With that said, we collected some of Microsoft's biggest advertising blunders for you to learn from and not repeat in your own campaigns.
7. Everything But the Kitchen Sink: Five Common Job Posting Mistakes
Vol. 12 No. 8
Why we've included it: Finding excellent, mission-appropriate candidates for open roles at your school can be a real headache at times, but your first step toward attracting suitable sorts of people to apply is crafting a fantastic job posting. If you're feeling lost on crafting that perfect job posting, then this article's for you.
8. Keep Your School Safe From Sexual Assault
Vol. 13 No. 3
Why we've included it: Sexual assault is never an easy topic of discussion, but with the recent exposés like Rolling Stone's article on alleged attacks at the University of Virginia gaining huge media coverage, it's a subject on many people's minds. The time to take care of this sort of thing is now, before there's a tragedy at your school.
9. Ammo for Your Conversations With Disappointed Financial Aid Families
Vol. 12 No. 5
Why we've included it: With tax season comes financial aid season—and that means fielding phone calls from families who didn't receive as much funding as they'd hoped. If you are getting caught tongue-tied from indignant parents calling for answers, this article should give you a hand.
10. "Introducing ... New Teachers!"
Vol. 12 No. 9
Why we've included it: It's almost time to begin welcoming new faculty into your established school culture, and there's a variety of methods to do so in fun and constructive ways. So, as our parting gift, we collected some excellent ways to make your new teachers feel welcome at their new educational home.
Do you want more than just tips for improving your tenure as School Head? We've got some fantastic professional development opportunities for you, including a four-day workshop specifically geared toward School Heads in charge of running smaller schools (350 or fewer enrolled students). We also provide webinars, covering topics like scheduling around adolescent sleep needs and turning your summer session into a full-fledged, integrated "third" semester.
Additional ISM resources for Gold Consortium members:
I&P Vol. 37 No. 1 Systematically Attracting, Developing, Rewarding, and Retaining Faculty: A Mission-Based Model for 21st Century Schools
I&P Vol. 32 No. 11 View Your Human Resources Activities as a Mission-Centered Life Cycle of Events
I&P Vol. 35 No. 14 Assessing Your School's Internal Marketing
I&P Vol. 35 No. 16 The Head's Five Major Priorities
I&P Vol. 38 No. 6 Solutions for Your Wandering Mission Statement
I&P Vol. 30 No. 7 Revisit Your School's Policy Concerning Child Sexual Abuse
I&P Vol. 36 No. 4 The Three Types of Need-Based Financial Aid
