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Chris Thinnes, career educator and education consultant speaks at length about public versus private education, progressive education, when and why schools fail or succeed in meeting the needs of children and society. Chris Thinnes, Ed.D. is a veteran independent school division head, experienced DEI consultant and facilitator, former English teacher, and long-term collaborator with education leaders from the public and private sectors. He has served as a Head of Lower School (K-5), Academic Dean (K-6), Head of Upper Elementary School (3-6), Head of Upper School (7-8), and Dean of Upper School (7-8) in Los Angeles-area independent schools. In all of these settings, as in his consultation and facilitation, he has championed systemic DEI work, progressive pedagogy, student agency and voice, faculty collaboration, home-school communication, and public-private partnerships. He has been affiliated with EduColor since 2015, and has co-chaired its board since 2020. Chris also serves on the board of the Progressive Education Network, and has been a member of NAIS‘s DEI advisory council (“Call to Action”), EdLeader21's Advisory Group, and a variety of local school boards and advisory groups. He has facilitated workshops at national conferences for NAIS (PoCC and Annual), ASCD, the Progressive Education Network, and EdLeader21, and is a founding member of the design and facilitation team of The Equity Exchange, a week-long annual institute for DEI practitioners in the public and private school sectors. He has been honored as a Fellow of the Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence, named one of Carney Sandoe's“8 Thought Leaders to Follow Now,” and featured as a panelist for the ASCD Whole Child Town Hall. Chris has been a Senior DEI Consultant with Blink Strategic Consulting since 2021, and he completed his doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice at LMU in 2022. His writing about education issues has appeared in Education Week , Inndependent School Magazine , GOOD , and a variety of other blogs and publications. Throughout his service in schools, Thinnes has promoted an understanding that“deeper learning” for our students depends on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in our schools.
We are partnering with Carney, Sandoe & Associates to bring you cutting-edge insights and opportunities to learn from and with members of their communities. In today's episode, Kim Garner and Brandon Jacobs join us to discuss DEIB (the B stands for Belonging), the importance of DEIB work across all educational spaces, and the chance for folx in the Philly area to attend their Hiring Forum DEIB event this coming Friday! Kim graduated from Suffolk University with a B.A. in International Business. She began working at Carney, Sandoe & Associates in 2000 as an Operations Associate, and became Associate Director of Operations in 2005, Director of Operations in 2006, and Director of Operations and Conferences in 2010. Kim was promoted to Managing Associate in 2012. As Chief Operating Officer, Placement Group, Kim manages operational budget, oversees operations staff, and explores new technologies to optimize efficiency within the Placement Group. She coordinates hiring, training, and onboarding for new employees, and plans and coordinates all aspects of faculty recruitment conferences, located in cities each year across the country. Kim has also spearheaded the development of CS&A's Women's* Institute (which held its inaugural event in 2017) which focuses on empowerment, professional and personal development, and mentorship of women in education at all stages of their careers. Kim is extremely passionate about the importance of women supporting other women and providing safe space to learn from one another. Brandon is Practice Leader, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Consulting Practice, Search & Consulting Services and also supports our Head of School, Key Administrator, Catholic Schools, and Diversity Leadership Search Practices. Brandon has been instrumental in growing our DEIB Search and Consulting Practices. He has worked with dozens of independent schools, colleges and universities, and education organizations, running retained searches for DEIB practitioners and leading consulting engagements around implicit bias, equitable hiring, BIPOC faculty and staff retention, and other topics. Thanks to financial assistance from New Jersey SEEDS, a nonprofit organization that places high-achieving students from low-income families at selective day and boarding schools across the country, Brandon and his three younger brothers were able to attend The Hill School (PA). At the predominantly white boarding school, Brandon served as the first Black All-School President and, seven years following his high school graduation, would return to his alma mater to assume the dual roles of Director of Inclusion and Diversity and Student Activities Coordinator. While at The Hill School, Brandon was also Director of Student Activities, Class Dean, and Assistant Director of College Advising. Before joining CS&A, Brandon served as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at The Shipley School (PA) where he led the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and programs that sustained an inclusive school community and curriculum and fulfilled the School's diversity and inclusion goals. Working closely with school administrators, he directed recruitment and retention initiatives to broaden the diversity of the student body and among faculty and staff. To learn more, visit www.carneysandoe.com/toodope. Visit our sponsors and friends of the podcast, Tori and Alex of Cetera Investors and enter code TOODOPE for a discount. Support the podcast on PATREON.
I had no idea that January was National Mentoring Month, but this is perfect timing. At a critical moment in my life, donnie l. betts, legendary actor, director, playwright and filmmaker, but most importantly, mentor to so many. I was fifteen when I met donnie, and he changed my life. He showed me that men of color from my neighborhood could be artists and movers, and that art could matter. We have remained in touch for over thirty years, and it is my profound honor to bring him and his story to you. In this episode, you will hear how donnie came to the arts, the people he has met and learned from, and his undying conviction that art can make a difference. As in his new film, Stop Resisting, which, in the wake of unending police violence visited on Black communities in Denver and beyond. donnie continues to leverage art and stories to affect change, and he shares his passion with us. Go to Carney Sandoe's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Forum this month! Get to know our sponsors, Alex and Tori at Cetera Investors! Donate to the podcast!
In this episode, Matt McGee and Michael Lomuscio had the privilege of speaking with Lawrence Alexander, the founding Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Carney Sandoe and Associates. Lawrence discusses what school leaders need to be thinking about when hiring a Director of DEI. You can access the full show notes with resources at FullstackEducator.com
Deb Welch “If you can develop capacity in people you can accomplish anything and everything” A Quick Summary How can we grow as leaders? The “Where's Your Head At” hosts are joined by Deb Welch, an experienced international educator who has worked in various roles in the education sector for many years. In this show, we hear tips from Deb and learn from her perspectives of how we can grow as leaders in education today. Show notes In this episode… Introduction for Deb Welch (2.36) Deb's time at AISH (3.50) Thinking about your growth as a Head of School (6.17) Transition to Carney Sandoe (7.30) What were the opportunities that helped Deb on her career path? (9.20) What does Deb think is the most important thing for leaders to get right? (13.45) Proudest proud and sorriest sorry (16.05) Chris Argyris - Double Loop Theory of Feedback (16.55) Reflection and its importance (17.40) Significant changes in education over the past 20 years and what will see in the future (18.40) The stages of problem solving at AISH (22.45) Bio Deb Welch Deborah Welch is the Senior Consultant for Carney Sandoe and Associates. Prior to this she was the CEO of the Academy for International School Heads (AISH). She was the Director of the American School of Doha and the Deputy Director for Learning at International School Bangkok. She was also Director of Teacher Training Center (TTC) and a course developer, trainer and consultant for Principals' Training Center (PTC). Deb has been a teacher, curriculum director, staff developer, university instructor and educational consultant. She holds a Ph.D. in human and organizational development and a master's in educational leadership and curriculum. She has a teaching certificate, and administrative and superintendent endorsement from Colorado Links AISH Carney Sandoe and Associates Constructivist model of learning Chris Argyris
In this episode, Matt McGee and Michael Lomuscio had the privilege of speaking with Lawrence Alexander, the founding Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Carney Sandoe and Associates. Lawrence discusses what school leaders need to be thinking about when hiring a Director of DEI. You can access the full show notes with resources at FullstackEducator.com
Part 2 of Matt McGee and Michael Lomuscio's conversation with Lawrence Alexander, the founding Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Carney Sandoe and Associates. Lawrence discusses what school leaders need to be thinking about when hiring a Director of DEI. You can access the full show notes with resources at FullstackEducator.com
Lawrence Alexander is the founding Director of Equity and Inclusion at Carney Sandoe and Associates. Alexander has spent over a decade working in college counseling and equity and inclusion at public and independent schools.Link to his practice, https://www.carneysandoe.com/consulting-services/dei-consulting
In this episode, Matt McGee and Michael Lomuscio had the privilege of speaking with Lawrence Alexander, the founding Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Carney Sandoe and Associates. Lawrence discusses what school leaders need to be thinking about when hiring a Director of DEI. You can access the full show notes with resources at FullstackEducator.com
Dr. Jason Larson is an Instructor in Philosophy and Religion at the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut and an adjunct instructor at Southern New Hampshire University. Today we will discuss Dr. Larson’s academic and professional background and his experiences teaching at a private boarding school. Recommendations: Travel! Kronborg Castle: http://kongeligeslotte.dk/en/palaces-and-gardens/kronborg-castle.html Atlas Obscura website (https://www.atlasobscura.com/) and book (https://www.atlasobscura.com/unique-gifts/atlas-obscura-book) The recruitment firm discussed in this episode is Carney Sandoe & Associates: https://www.carneysandoe.com/. Rob Denning and James Fennessy can be reached at workinghistorians@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/FilibusterHist.
Jan Pullen's Headmaster's Journal Interview
Ed Ellison is an excellent example of a non-traditional pathway to Headship. Ed's path took him through military service, and years of great success in the private financial sector before he followed his heart to impacting the lives of kids through his role as a teacher/coach. Following that dream lead him to teaching and the rest is history. Ed gives a great perspective of what challenges you may face when moving your family into a new community. Ed brings a diverse knowledge of leadership and continual self-discovery we can all learn from. He also gives some practical advice about speeches, work with the Board of Trustees, the interview process, and how discipline works from the Head’s office. Enjoy this episode of the Headmaster’s Journal!