Every School Needs an Organizational Development (OD) Practitioner

Organizational Development transforms organizations by aligning five critical elements: strategy, structure, people, metrics, and culture. This discipline weaves together psychology, behavioral science, management theory, and change leadership into a framework for institutional transformation. As Cara Gallagher reveals, every time you choose to pause before reacting, listen deeply to understand underlying issues, realign systems and people, and reflect on outcomes, you're employing the fundamental principles of Organizational Development. 

Additional Research & Resources:

• Directional Signals: A New Analysis of the Evolving Private School Choice Landscape, FutureEd

• Federal Policy and Private Schools: 5 Steps to Navigate Change, Blackbaud

• Navigating Complexity: How Leaders Can Thrive in a BANI World, Wilma D. Mohapatra 

• Navigating the AI Moment: Where Does Your School Stand?, MoonshotOS

The Impact of Belonging on Student Growth 

When students experience genuine connection and feel valued in their school environment, they embrace learning with greater purpose. This foundation of emotional and psychological safety not only increases academic achievement but also fosters robust social and emotional development. The Danielson Group shares how students with a strong sense of belonging demonstrate higher classroom engagement, enhanced motivation, and greater resilience when facing academic and personal challenges.

Additional Research & Resources:

• Gen Alpha Unfiltered, GWI

• Leading Through Crisis: 10 Essential Safety Trainings Every School Needs, Joffee Emergency Services

• Social Media and Executive Functioning: How Teens Can Find Balance, Lifeskills Advocate

• Students’ AI Chats Reveal Their Largest Stressors, EdSurge

The LAUNCH Cycle: A K-12 Design Thinking Framework

John Spencer shares a framework that embeds risk-taking and creativity directly into the learning process. His design-thinking approach includes an introduction video and downloadable toolkit, making implementation seamless for educators at any level. The LAUNCH cycle, co-developed with AJ Juliani, includes a final phase often overlooked in other models: the authentic launch, where students present their work to real audiences beyond the classroom walls. 

Additional Research & Resources:

• A Learner-Centered Ecosystem, Learner-Centered Collaborative

• Back to School With AI, Year Three, Eric Hudson

• Reimagining Fall Learning: Playful, Purposeful, Engaging, Brookings

• The Third Horizon of Learning Shifting beyond the Industrial Model, Getting Smart

Crisis Communications: Strategies, Examples & Complete Guide

When crisis strikes a school, the difference between swift recovery and lasting damage often comes down to preparation. AKCG Public Relations Counselors has developed a comprehensive crisis communications guide that addresses both the critical preparedness phase and real-time response strategies every school needs. Their practical framework includes essential questions for before and during a crisis, covering spokesperson designation, media relations protocols, and analytics to measure your response's effectiveness.

Additional Research & Resources:

• Every Organization Needs a Headline. What’s Yours?, Mission Minded

• How K–12 Enrollment Teams Are Navigating the Rise of AI, Clarity

• Private School Marketing to Stand Out in a Competitive Market, Schneider B Media

• The Power of Small Events, The Osborne Group

Timely Challenge Conference

Attracting and retaining top faculty and staff is one of the most pressing challenges facing independent schools today. The Timely Challenge Conference brings together school leaders to explore innovative strategies for recruitment, retention, and workplace culture.

Over two days, November 10-11, in Atlanta, GA, attendees will engage in expert-led sessions, peer discussions, and case studies that address topics including building a compelling employee value proposition, navigating generational shifts in the workforce, and creative pipelines for hiring and talent development.

With keynotes from Dr. Carrie Grimes, Vanderbilt University, and Andy Walker, Willis Towers Watson, this conference is designed to provide actionable insights, strategic frameworks, and collaborative problem-solving opportunities to ensure your school remains a destination for top-tier educators and staff.

Upcoming Events:

• Beyond Crisis Mode: Building Resilient School Communities in the Age of Student Anxiety, August 26, 10:00 AM Eastern

• Creating Learner-Centered Environments: Redesigning Instruction to Meet Every Learner's Needs, September 4, 12:00 PM Eastern

• Annual Conference, October 19-21, Atlanta, GA

• Blueprint Sprint, November 6-7, Charlotte, NC

• Blueprint Sprint, November 17-18, Atlanta, GA