2026 Surviving & Thriving in School Administration
Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 JM Keynes DrCharlotte, NC
Surviving & Thriving in School Administration: A Peer Experience for Independent School Administrators
Life for school administrators grows ever more complex. Expectations—academic, social, behavioral—continue to rise, while enrollment, hiring, and morale face growing pressures. Partnering with parents has become more challenging than ever.
In this intimate, highly interactive setting, participants will engage with peers to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore strategies for navigating these demands.
Nationally renowned independent school psychologists Rob Evans and Michael Thompson will guide participants through key dilemmas facing schools today, offering practical tools to help leaders sharpen their skills, stay energized, and respond constructively to tough challenges.
"Michael and Rob are excellent. Their way of seeing us, their wealth of knowledge, and their experience are one of a kind." - Past Participant
What you’ll practice:
- Setting boundaries while preserving rapport
- Delivering feedback that fuels growth
- Dealing with difficult parents
- Self-management: staying steady under pressure and avoiding burnout
Sessions
- How Is Your School Coping With the New Normal?
- Classic Dilemmas in Middle Management
- Changing Voice, Changing Perspective
- Hopes & Fears I: Working With Today’s Independent School Parents
- Hopes & Fears II: Tool Kits for Tough Cases
- Managing Change From the Middle
- Staying Put or Moving Up: What’s the Right Job for Me?
Details
- Registration includes
- Post-event access to the facilitators.
- Meals (two breakfasts, one lunch, one reception, and daily snacks/beverages).
- Discount on the 2026-27 Leadership Discussion Group.
- Lodging is available in the group block here.
- Groups of 5+
- Sending a team together builds a shared leadership language and tool kit, so people stop interpreting expectations differently and start moving in sync. It also strengthens trust and accountability in real time, because teammates practice together, reflect together, and return ready to apply the same approach immediately. 25% discount available for schools sending 5+ participants - contact info@sais.org for the group promo code.
Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 JM Keynes Drive | Charlotte, NC 28262
- Group rate: $179
- Cut-off date: May 23 or when the block is full (whichever comes first)
- Reservation link here.
The hotel block is now open. If you receive an error message or if the block is full, please contact info@sais.org.
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PLEASE NOTE: SAIS does not utilize the services of a housing vendor or third party booking agent for any events. Neither SAIS nor the hotel will call you to make reservations over the phone. Please be aware that occasionally unauthorized third parties not affiliated with SAIS may attempt to coordinate your reservations by phone or email. Please use only the official link from SAIS above to make your arrangements directly with the hotel and not through a third party.
Who should attend
This enriching opportunity on relational and personal leadership is for independent school administrators who supervise adults, evaluate teachers, and/or work with parents. This program is designed for division heads, directors, deans, and other leaders who are not heads of school. It focuses specifically on the challenges of these roles.
- We believe in the power of teams learning together -- 25% discount available for schools sending 5+ participants.
Facilitators
- Dr. Rob Evans
- Dr. Michael Thompson
Registration
- By February 27: Members $1,495
- Non-Members $1,699
- By April 3: Members $1,595
- Non-Members $1,799
- By May 29: Members $1,695
- Non-Members $1,899
- By June 10: Members $1,795
- Non-Members $1,999
- By After June 10: Members $1,995
- Non-Members $2,199
Event Policies & Acknowledgments
- For questions about event registration or special accommodations, contact info@sais.org.