We previously covered that cultivating healthy habits can improve how you function in your role as a school administrator. And a recent study highlights that students who maintain healthy habits can exhibit more motivation to attend college.

It's often unclear to Trustees, particularly those members new to the Board, what their fundraising duties comprise.

Your Board must avoid getting bogged down in day-to-day decisions and obligations. It cannot lose sight of its primary responsibility—to maintain the essential character and integrity of the school and ensure that it remains viable to serve the children of today’s students. An annual Board retreat provides the opportunity to devote a day specifically to planning for the future.

Everyone experiences stress related to their jobs. But a recent study highlighted how stressed-out teachers can negatively impact student outcomes—and your school as a whole.

Whether you’re new to private-independent schools or are taking on a position in the Development Office for the first time, it can be difficult to know where to start. Your job is to "sell" your school to people who have the means to support it. To do this effectively, you must know your school inside and out, including its mission, its people, and how it transforms the lives of its graduates. You must be able to speak with conviction about your school. Your deep knowledge and passion speaks volumes to potential donors.

Open houses show your school in action. Prospective families can see your campus, ask questions, and assess why your school might be a good fit for their children. Open houses are also a great way to give families information about your school that makes the most sense for them. Examples include if a child is particularly interested in a specific sports team or if they require assistance or support in a specific area.

It’s inevitable that you’ll be called into meetings with unhappy parents or guardians from time to time. Since parents pay tuition for their child to attend your school, some can feel that they can make demands on teachers, administrators, and the curriculum itself. If they don’t feel they’re getting their way, they may call for a meeting with you.

You can’t imagine how your staff would complete various tasks without the support of your trusted volunteers. However, some of them are performing potentially dangerous work. As a Trustee, you and your fellow Board members should make sure the school has a policy concerning volunteers and their work on your campus.

Parent-teacher conferences are often a cornerstone of schools’ parent communication strategies. Parents and teachers come together to discuss each student’s progress, identity areas that may need attention, and help families feel that their children are getting the best education possible. But there is another format for conferences that your school might consider. Student-led conferences are growing in popularity.

The Board President is the person responsible for conducting Board meetings. Often, however, the President is torn between the desire to express personal views on an issue and the need to generate and moderate discussion in an unbiased manner.