For Schools
Before You Do Anything…
The announcement that your Head of School is leaving can strike fear into a Board Chair’s heart. The immediate instinct is to take swift action to fill the leadership void and preemptively articulate a well-orchestrated process and timetable to allay the community’s anxieties. However, many schools have made significant errors in the early stages after a resignation or termination and have done so in a public way that makes changing course difficult, even if convinced that there is a better way forward.
Interim or Permanent Head - An Important Choice for Search Committees
When a school Head decides to move on, the Board of Trustees is faced with numerous decisions. What priorities do they have for the school? What characteristics, strengths, and experiences do they desire in their new Head? How much time does the Board have to select and hire the new leader for their school? Do they want to use a search firm and, if so, how do they go about finding, vetting, and contracting a consultant?
Just 100 Days Til Summer: The Beautifully Exhausting Truth About May
May is portrayed as the “longest short month” in education—an intense, chaotic stretch packed with testing, events, and emotional milestones that feels far longer than its 31 days. Behind the joyful traditions like field days, performances, and graduation is an enormous, often invisible effort by educators who orchestrate everything with resilience, care, and sheer determination. Ultimately, the article celebrates educators as the force that turns May’s exhaustion into something meaningful, driven by a deep commitment to students and the transformative moments of learning.
Change Creates Anxiety. Leadership Search Is Where Schools Feel It Most.
Leadership transitions sit at the intersection of change and identity, creating understandable anxiety for boards, faculty, families, and students alike. While a Head of School search may appear strategic on paper, it is deeply personal in practice, making the process as important as the outcome. Effective search work goes beyond candidate sourcing to help a school community navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence by listening carefully, articulating who the school is and who it is becoming, and building a structured, transparent process that fosters trust. The work continues through onboarding and early alignment, ensuring that transition is treated not as a single event but as an ongoing chapter, grounded in purpose, reflection, and vision.
Back-to-School, Not Back-to-Stress. Lead like you know the First Day Matters.
As the school year approaches, Heads of School are encouraged to focus on morale rather than major changes. Now isn’t the time for new initiatives or heavy policy shifts—faculty and staff are deep in preparation mode. Instead, leaders should support their teams through small, thoughtful gestures like hosting picnics, leaving encouraging notes, or surprising staff with treats. Avoid overloading them with meetings or mandates. The key message: prioritize appreciation, trust, and encouragement so that teachers feel seen and energized—because supported teachers create joyful, successful school environments.
Onboarding for ALL: Plan, execute, and the earlier the better!
Welcoming new school leaders is a time of celebration for independent schools, but effective transition planning is essential to turn this momentum into lasting success. At TEG, we provide comprehensive guidance and resources to ensure new heads and senior administrators are well-prepared before they arrive. Investing early in relationship-building, information sharing, and professional and family support sets the stage for confident, successful leadership from day one.
Transitioning from a Boarding School to a Day School: Benefits and Challenges
In his 42 years in Independent Schools, Dave Davies has served as head of the Deerfield-Windsor School (GA); a “founding” upper school head; an interim head, and a 27-year veteran of boarding school life. Here he reflects on the move from a boarding school to a day school.
Interim or Permanent Head? An Important Choice for Search Committees
In his 42 years in independent schools, Dave Davies has served as head of the Deerfield-Windsor School (GA); a “founding” upper school head; an interim head, and a 27-year veteran of boarding school life. Here he addresses a key leadership transition issue: Should a school appoint an interim head or move directly to search for a new, full-time head of school?
Principles of Good Practice for Board Chair Leadership
With his retirement in 2012, David Dougherty completed 44 years of service in independent schools and now looks forward to serving the next generation of school leaders as an executive coach. David is the Director of The Education Group’s Executive Coaching program.
Transitioning from Day School to Boarding School Leadership: Reflections
Throughout his extensive career in independent school education Jim Byer has served not only in a full spectrum of private school positions (most notable) as headmaster of The Hun School of Princeton, NJ) but as a guidance and educational consultant, founding school member, and undergraduate professor. Here he reflects on the transition from day school to boarding school leadership.