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Explore expert insights from Educational Directions partners and leading voices in independent school leadership. Our articles provide practical guidance on the challenges, strategies, and decisions facing trustees, heads of school, and leadership candidates—and on building strong, mission-aligned independent schools.

Anyone familiar with the Victim Triangle knows that “rescuers” often end up sliding into the role of bully or victim without even realizing it. In schools, this dynamic pops up most often during leadership transitions, when people feel anxious or …

Jerry Larson believed in me before I fully believed in myself. He called me into leadership, made my pivotal placement at Dunn School possible, and, in his final days, left me a voicemail I still play when I need grounding: …

Is the declining engagement of trustees in head of school searches contributing to the rise in failed searches and premature departures of school leaders? While we have yet to conduct a formal longitudinal study on the matter, our extensive experience …

Craft a clear, factual, and well-organized resume that inspires curiosity and conversation. Highlight education, career history, key accomplishments, and professional development without overloading with unnecessary sections like objectives or skills. Keep formatting clean, details relevant, and proofreading thorough. …
A strong social media presence can enhance your candidacy—but it can also derail it. This guide helps aspiring school leaders understand the increasing scrutiny that comes with head of school searches, offering practical tips for auditing your digital footprint and …
References can offer valuable insights that go beyond your resume. This article outlines how to select people who can speak to your leadership, character, and potential—offering honest, specific, and up-to-date perspectives to help you stand out in a search. …
A well-crafted letter of interest is your opportunity to connect with a school and communicate why you’re the right fit. This guide outlines what to include, how to tailor your message to the school, and common mistakes to avoid. …
Practical tips to prepare for every stage of a school leadership interview—from consultant conversations to finalist visits. Learn how to answer questions clearly, connect authentically, and make a strong impression, whether online or in person. …
A successful head of school search starts with thorough preparation. This guide outlines how candidates can evaluate a school’s fit—mission, leadership, finances, and culture—and what questions to ask during the interview process. Doing your homework not only sharpens your candidacy …
Considering a Head of School role at your current institution? This guide outlines key strategies and candid reflections to help you navigate the unique challenges of being an internal candidate—balancing professionalism, discretion, and the potential shift in relationships within your …
Before entering a head of school search, it’s important to assess your readiness. This article outlines critical self-reflection questions and logistical considerations to ensure you’re prepared—personally, professionally, and practically—to pursue a leadership opportunity with confidence and clarity. …
Your application is more than just paperwork—it’s your first impression. This guide outlines what to include in a complete application portfolio, from crafting a compelling letter of interest to preparing thoughtful references. Follow these practical tips to present your qualifications …
Over the years I’ve come to realize just how right on target Mr. Houle was. Achieving this victory is made all the more difficult when one takes into account that each board has its own culture and what might help …

There is strong agreement that Heads of Independent Schools and other leaders are facing more pressure than ever to navigate complex environments, partner with employees and clients who are increasingly transactional, manage diverse teams, and achieve results while balancing their …

Educational Directions places a high value on reference checking. Ensuring that we, and the search committees we support, receive meaningful information is paramount in selecting the right candidate for a position. Initially, we ask all candidates to submit five references, …

A few thoughts for Heads as they hire senior administrators: First, retain a search firm, a search firm that genuinely understands your school’s culture and needs. You are really busy and you do not have a database of 20,000 plus …

Each time a school initiates a search for a senior administrator—whether a division head, CFO, academic dean, or enrollment leader—there is an opportunity to do more than fill a position. A well-designed search process can be a moment of strategic …

Direct Inquiries to:Dawn Nichols, Partner; Jay Underwood, Partner; and Matt Heersche, Partnerdawn.nichols@edudx.comjay.underwood@edudx.commathew.heersche@edudx.com The Position Profile for this role will be available here soon.

Direct Inquiries to:Highley Thompson, Partner and Shoshanna Lurie, Partnerhighley.thompson@edudx.comshoshanna.lurie@edudx.com The Position Profile for this role will be available here soon.

Direct Inquiries to:Jay Underwood, Partner; Highley Thompson, Partner; and Rachael Beare, Partnerjay.underwood@edudx.comhighley.thompson@edudx.comrachael.beare@edudx.com The Position Profile for this role will be available here soon.

Direct Inquiries to:Jay Underwood, Partner and Garet Libbey, Partnerjay.underwood@edudx.comgaret.libbey@edudx.com Click here to view the Position Profile for this role.

Direct Inquiries to:Matt Heersche, Partner and Risa Oganesoff Heersche, Partnermathew.heersche@edudx.comrisa.heersche@edudx.com Click here to view the Position Profile for this role.

Direct Inquiries to:Matt Heersche, Partner and Risa Oganesoff Heersche, Partnermathew.heersche@edudx.comrisa.heersche@edudx.com Click here to view the Position Profile for this role.

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