NAIS National Conference Newbie: Leadership's Greatest Challenge
Okay, I will admit it. This is my first NAIS National Conference. I didn't know what to expect as I made my way to Long Beach from Omaha, Nebraska. I knew I was excited to get out of the cold weather and snow and was ecstatic that I didn't have to bring a stocking cap, gloves, and winter jacket. Indeed, the sixty-something degree weather did not disappoint. Today, I met with other educators from across the country as part of the NAIS Aspiring Heads Fellowship. This fellowship program has existed for fifteen years but the format has evolved since its inception. The purpose of this program is largely about "shifting your mindset" as you prepare for your first headship. This fellowship is an opportunity to begin thinking like a head of school. The head of school position is metaphorically much like that of an orchestra conductor. There's a lot you have to manage and lead. You may not know how to play each instrument within the orchestra, but you must know