Quentin McDowell, a self-described 'coach leader' who tells the students at Mercersburg Academy that he loves them, speaks in a tone that forces you to lean in, and is as likely to apologize sincerely to a 3rd grader as he is a colleague, is a head of school built for the moment. This moment.'I work with adults all day long. I like to be with the kids.' Quentin embodies the joy that is all too often overshadowed in independent school leadership, and it was a pleasure to twist in and out of as many conversations as there were rooms at Mercersburg. Until we hit his office and found his prized possession...with the pink-markered note on top.Setting the PAIS can be found at paispa.org or wherever you get your podcasts!#SettingthePAIS #PAIS #PennsylvaniaAssociationofIndependentSchools #IndependentEducation #MercersburgAcademy #DefineYourselfHere #WalkWithMe #LearningDifferences #Leadership #Parenting #Education #Inspiration

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠GEN-Ed⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Narrated:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liz Hofreuter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Luke Hladek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

Our newest PAIS Setter comes to us amidst waves and wind in the Flagship City. Don Fuller, head of school at Erie Day School, is a leader with perspective. 'Without the teachers, I'm nothing,' he says, after talking to Liz about his commitment to teamwork and growth. That perspective has served him well in his first year as an independent school head. He's building credibility and trust by being willing to breathe and ask and adjust, not just 'do' because he says so or because it's been done before.

Erie Day is a NOAA-accredited school, which means they lean into learning each of the seven ecological zones on Presque Isle as well as lead various environmental service projects in Erie itself. It's a standard-bearer for place-based education and a school that truly encompasses the spirit of independent education, especially considering Erie Day is the only independent school in the area. This creates both opportunity and challenge in storytelling by not only needing to promote the best of the school, but also to educate the public about independent schools in general. It's a responsibility not lost on Don or Erie Day, and something that helps guide decision-making and drives them forward. We're lucky to have Erie Day leading from the front.

Setting the PAIS can be found at paispa.org/blog or wherever you get your podcasts!

#SettingthePAIS #PAIS #PennsylvaniaAssociationofIndependentSchools #IndependentEducation #ErieDaySchool #PresqueIsle #ErieDay #EriePA #ItsOkToLoveErie #WalkWithMe #LearningDifferences #Leadership #Parenting #Education #Inspiration

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠GEN-Ed⁠⁠⁠.

Narrated:⁠⁠⁠⁠Liz Hofreuter⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced:⁠⁠⁠⁠Luke Hladek⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠)

We continue our PAIS Setter series with Jon Strecker, head of school of The Valley School of Ligonier, and someone who epitomizes the idea of 'child at heart'.

With an envious perspective on living ('It's that song, 'Live Like You Were Dying.' That's exactly how I live my life.') and a childlike sense of 'yes, and...' Jon is uniquely positioned to combat the woes of tomorrow without simply raising a fist at the clouds.

Today isn't about math scores or rigor; it's about people and wonder. The rest of it just 'comes along'. How refreshing to hear such direct language rooted in care, not resentment, and to feel inspired for the future, knowing it's being cultivated in his hands...or in the trees above the trout ponds at The Valley School.

Setting the PAIS can be found at paispa.org/blog or wherever you get your podcasts!

#SettingthePAIS #PAIS #PennsylvaniaAssociationofIndependentSchools #IndependentEducation #ValleySchoolofLigonier #ValleySchoolProud #WalkWithMe #LearningDifferences #Leadership #Parenting #Education #Inspiration

Learn more about⁠ ⁠⁠PAIS⁠.

Narrated:⁠⁠Liz Hofreuter⁠⁠

Produced:⁠⁠Luke Hladek⁠⁠ (⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠)