EXPLO Elevate shares good ideas, practices, and wisdom to help
schools and their communities flourish.

Dear Friend,

Just landed back in Boston after an energizing week in Nashville diving into the ICAISA and NAIS Thrive conferences. There's something truly revitalizing about being swept up in a crowd of passionate educators all focused on one question: how can we better serve our students? A heartfelt thanks to ICAISA for inviting me to brainstorm with association executive directors and accreditation leaders about the challenges and possibilities on the horizon for independent schools. Governance issues were front and center in these discussions, and Julie Faulstich and I had a blast unpacking these dynamics during our NAIS Thrive presentation.

A clear thread running through Thrive 2025 was how we navigate this era of constant change and uncertainty. Whether we're talking about AI reshaping education, the squeeze on philanthropic dollars, enrollment concerns, the struggle to attract and keep great faculty, growing cultural divides, global instability, or adjusting to a new administration in Washington – everything feels a bit more unpredictable than usual. We're entering what looks like a continuous cycle of "new normals," and I worry some schools are pulling back or freezing up, hoping the pace of change might eventually slow down. But here's the reality: we're living in an age of acceleration. The real change needed isn't in our external circumstances – it's in us. We need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable reality of perpetual uncertainty.

A shout out to Harpeth Hall School and Jess Hill, Head of School, for arranging a delightful school visit in Nashville. The visit left me both inspired and hopeful. Witnessing remarkable students in action—their curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking—was a powerful reminder of why we do this work. In a world that often feels uncertain, spending time in their presence was a refreshing dose of optimism about the future they're preparing to shape.

The Five Mistakes That Killed a Once Great School

I know it’s spring break at many schools and I hope that many of you are actually taking a pause, relaxing, and rejuvenating. Sometimes that means doing some reading that you might not otherwise have the opportunity to do. (As an English major, I hope that’s diving into a good novel, but perhaps that’s diving into articles related to your work.) I was digging into the Elevate archives the other day and found a piece I had written as a companion piece to a panel I did for SAIS during COVID. (Given what’s going on now in the world it’s feeling strangely a bit like the uncertain days of COVID.) I just updated the piece – The Five Mistakes That Killed a Once-Great School – and I’m feeling like it may be even more relevant today.

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Innovate or Die

Sometimes we need real stories and examples to spark our thinking. "Innovate or Die" follows the compelling journey of Peter Folan, Head of School at Catholic Memorial (CM), as he navigates the delicate challenge of guiding a tradition-anchored institution toward sustainability and better serving its boys. EXPLO Elevate Senior Consultant David Torcoletti approaches the CM transformation with the keen eye of both anthropologist and diagnostician, interviewing board members, faculty, parents, and Peter himself about their collective learning curve. It's a fascinating read that beautifully illustrates those "what I know now that I wish I had known then" moments. (Worth noting: Come summer, Peter will be bringing his talents to Dexter Southfield School as their new Head of School.)

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Leading in an Era of Uncertainty: It’s About Relationships

Dr. Susan Perry, senior consultant at EXPLO Elevate, and I have been exploring what leadership looks like when the world around us feels increasingly chaotic, and how school leaders and faculty can help students navigate these unpredictable waters. I recently had a wonderful conversation with her that ranged from honoring the timeless, transcendent aspects of working with young people to incredibly practical day-to-day advice for the adults in school communities. You can dive into that conversation here - both reading and listening options available. Susan also led a thoughtful session at NAIS Thrive titled "The Hide and Seek of Leadership" that offered valuable insights for school leaders.

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Tiny Experiments

For years, I've been intrigued by Anne-Laure Le Cunff's work – her Ness Labs research, thought-provoking newsletter, and now her powerful new book, "Tiny Experiments." After walking away from a rising career at Google to pursue her Ph.D. in neuroscience, Le Cunff offers us a refreshing perspective on uncertainty – not as something that triggers anxiety, but as a powerful catalyst for growth. Through her philosophy of living curiously and embracing small experiments, she illuminates how we can fundamentally transform our experience of the world around us.

Her recent SXSWedu keynote "Rewiring How We Learn: The Power of an Experimental Mindset" left me deeply contemplating a crucial question for our schools: How do we create and protect spaces where both educators and students can genuinely practice this experimental mindset? In today's high-stakes educational environment, finding room for curiosity-driven exploration feels more essential than ever.

Two to Three Years: Generative AI Fundamentally Changing The Arc of History

Hyperbole? Ben Buchanan, former special advisor for artificial intelligence in the Biden White House says no. A riveting interview with Ezra Klein. If this doesn’t get you thinking about what kind of future we’re preparing our students for, I don’t know what will.

An Excellent Opportunity: Civics Teachers

My old friend and former EXPLO colleague, Dr. Adam Gismondi, is the Senior Director of DKP Learn of the Democratic Knowledge Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His team just let me know that DKP is running a Civic Summer Institute for Learning and Teaching with an incredible faculty drawn from across Harvard. The program is one week at the Schoodic Institute in Maine for 8th through 12th grade civics teachers. No cost. Teachers will receive a stipend for attending. Due date for applications is April 7.

Building Brave: A Conversation About Young People, Anxiety, and Resilience
Join me for a free webinar on April 10th where I'll be speaking with Meredith Elkins, Ph.D., Co-Program Director of the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program at McLean Hospital and faculty at Harvard Medical School. She will share practical knowledge and strategies for parents and educators to help young people manage anxiety and develop genuine emotional strength. I believe this will be a valuable resource for both families and faculty. Register here and spread the word!

Call on us!

Ross just got back from Zurich International School, brimming with energy after days filled with fantastic conversations and breakthrough thinking. The visit was exactly the kind we like – a trip where great ideas and practical solutions come together. Meanwhile, the Elevate team is either wrapping up or kicking off exciting projects with Cheshire Academy, the Webb School, Millbrook, Bright School, Gulliver, Bentley, Hilton Head Prep, Dana Hall, Applewild, and Tabor Academy (and that's just the highlight reel!). Looking ahead to 2025-2026, our calendar is filling up with coaching, strategy development, governance training, listening sessions, scheduling optimization, program reinvention, audits and insight work.

Have a project brewing in the back of your mind? Let's chat. Even if it's just an initial thought, a quick call could help us explore possibilities you haven't considered. No pressure – just good thinking with colleagues who understand the independent school landscape. Check out our website for more on what we bring to the table.

That's it for this issue. If you received this newsletter from a colleague and would like your own copy delivered directly to your inbox, subscribe here (it's free).

Here's to fresh ideas taking root as we embrace the new season.

Moira

Join us

Join EXPLO Senior Consultant, David Torcoletti, where he will be a featured speaker at the Deans Roundtable Conference, June 23 - 26, 2025 at New England Innovation Academy.