August 5, 2022

A note from the editor: Most of our readers know that NAIS is searching for a new President. We would like the search to be a more open process, therefore subject to questions from independent school constituents. Consequently, we are publishing a series of articles with one question each to candidates for the next NAIS President. This series began in August with The Next NAIS President Candidates Series, Part 1: On Curriculum & Knowledge | Sanje Ratnavale. 

The next NAIS President should be able to answer this question after reading this story and subsequent reflection.

Today’s question: How will you help teachers at independent schools be heard?

“[T]he percentages of teachers who agreed with positive statements about their profession were higher among teachers who believed their opinions were considered in school decisions and lower among those who did not believe they had a voice.” 

~ Center on Education Policy survey.

Five years of work—five years that, on one night, faced a final vote in a winter faculty meeting. The journey toward this night had begun during a discussion of the curriculum committee when…