2025 Institute for Heads
Connect, Reflect, and Recharge With Fellow Heads of School
Join a dynamic retreat designed exclusively for heads of school—an energizing and supportive space for deep, thoughtful conversation on the complex realities of school leadership.
Share experiences with peers who truly understand the unique challenges of the role. Through honest dialogue, shared laughter, and moments of genuine connection, you'll find not only insight but also affirmation, community, and renewal.
This program is facilitated by psychologists Rob Evans and Michael Thompson, whose engaging style invites participants to explore ideas together rather than settle for one-size-fits-all solutions. They guide meaningful group dialogue that is reflective, relevant, and real.
Spouses are warmly welcomed and encouraged to take part in the retreat. Around half of our attendees typically bring a spouse, making this a shared journey of growth and connection.
NOTE: To view the attendee roster, you must be logged in.
Speakers
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| Rob Evans | Michael Thompson |
Registration
| Member | Non-Member | Spouse | |
| Through June 3 | $2,365 | $2,649 | $1,050 |
| After June 3 | $2,465 | $2,749 | $1,050 |
Schedule & Sessions
A schedule overview is available HERE. Session topics include:
- Device Addiction: Helping Parents Help Their Kids
- Have the Students Caught Up?
- When Faculty Are Parents in the School
- The Head in the Middle: Managing Toxic Political-Cultural Issues I
- The Head in the Middle: Managing Toxic Political-Cultural Issues II
- A Shared Journey: The Spouse’s Perspective
- The Inner Wellsprings of Great Leadership
Westin Sarasota
The SAIS block is now closed. Please contact the hotel directly for the best available rate.
Westin Sarasota
(941) 217-4777
Transportation
From a variety of airports, free shuttles, and city-operated ride shares, Sarasota makes it easy to explore. Check out local transportation options here. Don't miss the $2 airport shuttle!
Attractions
Downtown Sarasota is a vibrant cultural and civic center offering theaters, boutiques, art galleries, trendy restaurants, and quaint cafes.
Visitors and residents alike enjoy Sarasota’s walkable city lifestyle capped off by stunning sunsets and easy access to botanical gardens, a circus museum, an aquarium, and a variety of water adventures. Explore local attractions here.
With the casual elegance of downtown, beautiful public parks, and the #1 beach in the country, Sarasota offers the best of both worlds.
Restaurants
From casual to elegant and pub grub to high end, enjoy the diverse culinary landscape and the talented local chefs who bring it to life. In the foodie department, there’s something for every palate, from French to Vietnamese to burgers to seafood.
Discover delicious local dining options here. Most are within easy walking distance of the Westin Sarasota.
Institute for Heads | Past Participant Comments
- An opportunity to step away from the demands of headship and reflect, refocus, and openly share challenges and needs in a supportive space. There is time to laugh and regain a sense of balance for a new year. This shared week with expert facilitators and fellow heads and spouses restores the reason that you love this calling to headship. – Rachel Deems, President, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, AR)
- Ten years ago, my wife and I first attended this incredibly unique opportunity to bond with other heads and their spouses and it quickly became my most important professional and personal development commitment of each year. Rob and Michael are priceless in leading all participants in important, timely, challenging, and affirming conversations. The time with other heads and spouses is rare and meaningful, and the location always has a way of completing that total sense of rejuvenation and renewal. I recommend this opportunity to every head I know. -Jack Hall, Former Head of The Walker School (Atlanta, GA)
- A unique combination of learning and therapy in an intimate environment, which is unlike any other program I have ever attended.
- Rob and Michael are two of the very few consultants who truly understand the complexities as well as the joys and challenges of being a school head.
- Meaningful time with a small group of people who do the job you do … the generosity, empathy, and wisdom are hard to match.
- The topics are always relevant, but it is the degree of intimacy and trust that develops rather quickly among the participants that makes this particular program of importance and relevance to me (and my spouse).
- It would be next to impossible to adequately describe this program in a brochure due to the dynamic nature of the overall experience.
- An open dialogue that focuses on the personal as well as the professional and is as energizing for the spouse as for the head of school. Michael and Rob work to ensure many voices are included in the discussions.
- This is a unique opportunity for you and your spouse to be engaged together in professional learning. Rob and Michael are dynamite and the chance to learn from and connect with other heads/spouses are the two reasons why we make this a priority for our professional development.
Event Policies & Acknowledgments
- For questions about event registration or special accommodations, contact lori@sais.org.