2026 Small Schools Summit

• In small schools, leadership often means being head of school, admissions director, development officer, and crisis manager—all before lunch. This session acknowledges the unique pressures of multi-role leadership and offers practical strategies for thriving, not just surviving, in this reality. Join Beverly Fowler, Head of School at Salisbury Academy, to explore how to prioritize effectively when everything feels urgent, set boundaries that protect your energy and effectiveness, and build systems that create leverage even with limited staff. Through candid discussion and shared experiences, you'll examine when to delegate, when to let go, and how to communicate your constraints clearly to boards and stakeholders who may not fully understand the scope of your responsibilities. This is a space to name the challenges openly, learn from peers navigating similar terrain, and leave with concrete tools for managing role overload while staying connected to the mission-driven work that called you to small school leadership in the first place.

Small schools face a critical challenge: staff retention and recruitment consistently rank among the top concerns for school leaders. Yet recent SAIS research on early-career educators reveals that culture – not just compensation – is what keeps talented teachers engaged and committed in the long term. This session explores how to intentionally build and sustain a school culture that becomes your strongest recruitment and retention tool.
Drawing on findings from SAIS research, you'll discover what today's educators truly need to thrive.

This session will guide you through practical, research-backed strategies, and we will discuss how to create multi-tiered support systems, build recognition practices, design feedback mechanisms that give educators voice and agency, and foster the relationships and sense of belonging that keep people rooted in your community. Whether you're facing high turnover or proactively building retention, you'll leave with a clear action plan to make your school a place where educators don't just work, they choose to stay, grow, and build careers.

Small schools rarely have dedicated PD budgets or full-time professional learning staff. Yet educators still need meaningful opportunities to grow. This session features a small school leader who has successfully built a robust professional development culture without breaking the bank. You'll discover creative, low-cost strategies that deliver real impact for teacher growth and student learning.

Learn how to leverage free and affordable resources including professional learning networks, online communities, and open-source materials. Explore collaborative models like peer observation cycles, teacher-led workshops, and book studies that build expertise from within. Discover how to maximize conference attendance through strategic selection, team debriefs, and cascade training. You'll also learn how to cultivate partnerships with nearby schools, universities, or organizations to share costs and expand access to expertise.