On The Way To School

In today's episode of On The Way To School, Christopher S. Dennis discusses the critical importance of the onboarding process for educators and administrators. Reflecting on his own experiences, Christopher emphasizes the need for a well-planned onboarding strategy that aligns with a school's mission and values such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.He shares insights from his journey, including his impactful experience at Bowdoin College, and highlights how effective onboarding can foster a sense of belonging and commitment. Christopher outlines the strategic elements necessary for success, encouraging administrators to make onboarding a dynamic and collaborative process.

Season 4 Episode 90: In this episode, recorded on St. Patrick's Day, join Christopher as he reflects on the importance of confidentiality and trust within school leadership. Discover how breaches of trust can impact relationships and school dynamics and why taking responsibility and repairing trust is crucial for a healthy educational environment.

In this episode of "On The Way To School," Christopher S. Dennis shares insights and personal reflections recorded after a dynamic day following the Monday of Daylight Savings. Dennis recounts his participation in a leadership summit at another school and a heartwarming experience from a weekend workshop with Private School Village. He reflects on a meaningful conversation with a young student about faith, identity, and how to love and advocate for all communities. Through this engagement, Dennis emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for the youth to ask questions and the significant role educators play in nurturing compassionate dialogue and understanding. This touching narrative serves as a reminder of the impact educators can have in addressing the questions and concerns of the younger generation.

Welcome to "On The Way To School," your six-minute daily boost for educators and administrators. In today's episode, host Christopher S. Dennis discusses the challenges educators face amidst federal policy changes and the lack of standardized best practices. Drawing parallels with historical events such as the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Christopher emphasizes the importance of staying true to educational goals despite external crises. He highlights the significance of absorbing impacts rather than overcorrecting, especially for DEI practitioners whose work may be threatened. Christopher encourages listeners to remain steadfast in fostering an inclusive and equitable society and to engage in conversations about bias now more than ever.

Join me, on On The Way To School for a discussion on the complexities of the independent school admissions process and the importance of nurturing internal candidates for faculty and leadership openings. I’ll share strategies for providing valuable feedback and growth opportunities to internal applicants, helping them stay motivated and prepared for future roles. We’ll also explore the delicate balance of selecting new families and students while fostering an encouraging environment for everyone in the school community.

In this episode, Christopher shares a personal journey of dealing with unresolved situations as a leader. He discusses the intricacies of trust and closure when relationships with families and constituents face challenges. Through his candid reflections, he delves into the emotions and growth opportunities that arise when closure is elusive, emphasizing the necessity of integrity, empathy, and transparency.
Listen in as he explores the importance of accepting discomfort, learning from unclosed chapters, and striving to be a better leader. Gain insight into the balance between leading with empathy and setting boundaries, and discover how sitting with discomfort can lead to unexpected growth and understanding. Whether you're an educator just starting your day or reflecting on leadership, this episode offers food for thought and encouragement to embrace the complexities of human connections.

In this episode of On The Way To School, host Christopher S. Dennis discusses the importance of consistency and reflection in educational settings. He emphasizes the value of returning to foundational documents and mission statements to ensure alignment with institutional goals and principles.Christopher shares insights on leading an accreditation self-study and highlights the importance of continual review and implementation to uphold a school's credibility and mission. Listeners are encouraged to routinely engage with guiding principles, much like attending regular services to reinforce core values.This episode serves as a reminder for educators to periodically revisit their goals and ensure they are on the right path to achieving success in their personal and professional endeavors.

Welcome to "On The Way To School," your six-minute daily boost for educators and administrators, hosted by Christopher S. Dennis. In this check-in episode, Christopher reflects on the journey so far, marking a significant milestone of 83 episodes. He shares his commitment to transparency and authenticity, promising to bring intentional and valuable conversations to the podcast. Christopher emphasizes patience and purpose as the podcast gears up for more insightful discussions, aiming to create a meaningful experience for all listeners.

Welcome to On The Way To School, your daily six-minute boost for educators and administrators. Join Christopher S. Dennis as he explores the concept of organized chaos and its role in our daily lives. As we navigate the demands of a new school year, this episode reflects on the ubiquitous "junk drawer"—a metaphor for the controlled chaos many of us manage at home and work.
Through relatable anecdotes and lighthearted insights, Christopher discusses how seemingly chaotic spaces, like an unstructured drawer or a cluttered backpack, indicate our innate need for a bit of unpredictability. These pockets of chaos often house essential items and memories, symbolizing our comfort with imperfection and spontaneity.
This episode encourages listeners to embrace and appreciate these bits of disorder, recognizing that they contribute to our ability to adapt, create, and thrive despite life's constraints. So, please take a moment to ponder what's in your junk drawer and see the beauty in its chaos.

Welcome to On The Way To School, your six-minute daily boost for educators and administrators. In this episode, Christopher S. Dennis encourages listeners to embrace the new year by taking on more challenging roles within educational settings.
From maintaining up-to-date grade books to understanding the dynamics of proximity and influence, Dennis emphasizes the importance of personal growth and leadership. He shares insights on advancing professionally by taking on more challenging responsibilities and fostering a mindset prepared for change.
Join us as we explore opportunities for professional development and the importance of positively impacting the areas we transition from. Embrace the new year with a mindset ready for growth, and let the joy in your profession shine through.