Managing Up in Schools: Navigating Authority Changes with Julie Faulstich

Managing authority transitions requires strategic relationship building and clear communication. Join Bridget Johnson with Julie Faulstich, founder of Stony Creek Strategy and former head of school, for essential insights on navigating leadership changes in educational settings.

Julie shares practical strategies for building trust with new leadership while maintaining professional integrity. Drawing from 25+ years in educational leadership roles from department chair to head of school, she offers actionable advice on understanding your orientation to authority, creating shared reality with new leaders, and avoiding common pitfalls that damage working relationships.

This episode addresses the unique challenges of managing up in independent schools, where the "family" culture can complicate professional boundaries and authority structures. Julie's expertise in organizational change and governance provides valuable frameworks for both seasoned administrators and emerging leaders.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to assess your natural orientation to authority and approach new leadership relationships strategically

• Practical techniques for building authentic professional relationships without over-sharing or inappropriate boundaries

• Strategies for creating "shared reality" between your perspective and new leadership's vision

• Methods for navigating disconnect between stated organizational values and actual practices

• Tools for maintaining team stability and focus during leadership transitions

Featured Guest: Julie Faulstich founded Stony Creek Strategy to champion "applied leadership" - practical application of leadership theory in educational settings. Her background includes Academic Dean and Assistant Head at Walnut Hill School for the Arts and Head at Westover School. She writes the widely-read "Talking Out of School" Substack newsletter providing leadership insights to education professionals.

Recommended Resources: "Conscious Leadership" book (referenced in episode), Stony Creek Strategy website, Talking Out of School Substack newsletter

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected] Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ Student Life Community of Practice: https://www.treyeducation.com/event/student-life-professionals/

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.

Tags: Educational Leadership Managing Up Authority Transitions School Leadership Independent Schools Student Affairs Professional Development Applied Leadership

Nervous System Awareness for Student Life Leaders with Alan Brown

Ever wonder why some situations leave you completely drained while others energize you? In this transformative episode, resilience educator and former dean Alan Brown shares how understanding your nervous system can revolutionize your effectiveness as a student life professional.

Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome in sixth grade, Alan spent years trying to control his body before discovering a different path through mindfulness and nervous system-informed practices. His journey from overwhelmed dean to resilience educator offers powerful insights for any student life professional navigating the complexity of modern education.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to recognize when your nervous system is overwhelmed and what to do about it

• Practical tools for managing difficult conversations and crisis situations with greater ease

• Why working with your body rather than against it leads to better leadership outcomes

• How nervous system awareness connects to creating more just and equitable school communities

• Simple practices you can implement today to feel steadier and more resourced

Featured Guest: Alan Brown brings over 15 years of experience in schools as both classroom teacher and administrator, combined with specialized training as a mindfulness teacher trainer with Mindful Schools. His work with The Trevor Project as an LGBTQ+ youth crisis counselor and collaboration with leading hospitals on mindfulness clinical trials provides a unique evidence-based perspective on nervous system regulation in educational settings. Alan helps schools and organizations foster cultures of connection and wellbeing through practical, compassionate approaches to nervous system awareness.

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected] Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ Student Life Community of Practice: https://www.treyeducation.com/event/student-life-professionals/

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.

Immunity to Change: Breaking Through Hidden Barriers to Personal and Organizational Transformation

Why do 6 out of 7 people fail to make important changes—even when their lives depend on it? Join host Bridget Johnson as she explores this compelling question with Richard Lawrence and Peter Green, experts in the powerful Immunity to Change framework developed by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey.

This episode reveals how hidden competing commitments and unconscious assumptions act like an internal immune system, protecting us from perceived threats while simultaneously preventing the growth we desperately want. Richard and Peter share practical strategies for identifying these hidden barriers and creating sustainable transformation in both individuals and organizations.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why traditional change efforts fail and how to overcome competing commitments

• The three essential jobs of management for empowering organizations

• How to transform resistance into valuable information for better change strategies

• Practical techniques for moving from punitive to relational leadership approaches

• Why psychological safety is crucial for adult development and organizational transformation

Featured Guests: Richard Lawrence is a Scrum Alliance Certified Enterprise Coach who brings together diverse disciplines from software engineering to anthropology to help teams solve complex problems. Peter Green is co-founder of Humanizing Work and helps leaders create outcomes they care about most, drawing from his unique background spanning music composition, agile transformation at Adobe, and organizational coaching.

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.

Connect with Richard Lawrence and Peter Green: https://www.humanizingwork.com/

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected]  Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ Student Life Community of Practice: https://www.treyeducation.com/event/student-life-professionals/

Student Mental Health Crisis Prevention with SchoolPulse's Iuri Melo

Discover how one Licensed Clinical Social Worker transformed student mental health support from reactive crisis intervention to proactive prevention, reaching hundreds of thousands of teens nationwide.

Join Bridget Johnson as she speaks with Iuri Melo, co-founder of SchoolPulse, about his revolutionary approach to student wellness that emerged from tragedy in his Utah community. After experiencing multiple teen suicides, Iuri helped create a text-based support system that now serves over 300 schools in 25+ states, providing 24/7 mental health support and positive psychology tools directly to students' phones.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to shift from waiting for crisis to proactively supporting student mental health
• Why text-based engagement removes traditional barriers to help-seeking behavior
• Practical strategies for supporting overwhelmed school counselors and administrators
• How to build authentic connections with teens through privacy and accessibility
• Evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention and wellness programming

Featured Guest: Iuri Melo brings over 20 years of clinical social work experience as co-founder of SchoolPulse, a nationwide student support service that proactively engages teens through text messaging and evidence-based content. As author of "Know Thy Selfie" and "Mind Over Grey Matter," father of five, and creator of adventure-based therapy, Iuri's mission to "bless the human family" has created comprehensive mental health resources reaching students with positive psychology, growth mindset tools, and crisis prevention strategies while supporting school staff with practical, non-burdensome solutions.

Recommended Resources: Know Thy Selfie, Mind Over Grey Matter, SchoolPulse Mental Health Resource Page

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected] S tudent Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ Student Life Community of Practice: https://www.treyeducation.com/event/student-life-professionals/

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.

Youth Health Crisis: Dr. John Lucas on Fentanyl, Marijuana & School Safety

Join host Bridget Johnson with Dr. John Lucas, licensed family physician and veteran educator, for an essential discussion on the critical health challenges facing today's students. Dr. Lucas brings a unique dual perspective to youth health challenges - he's both a licensed family physician and an experienced educator with over 15 years in the classroom, graduating from Georgetown University Medical School and completing his family medicine residency at Fairfax Family Practice in Virginia.

This episode addresses the most pressing health concerns in schools today, from the fentanyl crisis to emerging nicotine products, providing evidence-based strategies for parents, educators, and students. Dr. Lucas shares practical approaches for discussing sensitive health topics and offers concrete prevention strategies that work.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to implement Narcan programs and address fentanyl risks in schools

• The hidden dangers of today's high-potency marijuana on student learning

• Effective strategies for preventing early substance use and addiction

• How to navigate politically sensitive health conversations professionally

• Warning signs and risks of emerging nicotine products targeting youth

Featured Guest: Dr. John Lucas combines medical expertise as a licensed family physician with hands-on educational experience working with students who have language-based learning differences. He has served as dean of students at the Silver Spring campus of the Siena School and currently contracts with schools nationwide to provide health education on substance use, sexual health, and mental wellness. A Maryland resident for nearly 30 years with four children, he brings both professional expertise and personal insight into the challenges facing today's young people.

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected] Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ Student Life Community of Practice: https://www.treyeducation.com/event/student-life-professionals/

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.

Data-Driven Student Wellbeing: Millbrook's Revolutionary Approach

Discover how Millbrook School is revolutionizing student wellbeing through innovative data integration and relationship mapping. This groundbreaking episode features Billy Thom (LCSW), Eve Whitehouse (Academic Dean), and JJ Morrissey (Dean of Student Engagement and Well-Being) sharing their transformative approach to moving from reactive to proactive student support.

Learn how this exceptional team developed their data-driven methodology after years of feeling like they were "playing Whack-a-Mole" with student issues. They reveal their innovative "Connect the Dots" relationship mapping program, Wellington Education Initiative integration, and the remarkable 0.8 correlation they discovered between faculty-student relationships and academic success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to implement practical data collection tools that take just 5 minutes to complete

• Strategies for moving from reactive crisis management to proactive student support

• The "three T's" approach: targeted, tailored, and timely interventions

• Ethical frameworks for student wellbeing data collection and usage

• Building faculty buy-in through incremental change and demonstrating the "why" behind relationship building

Featured Guests: Billy Thom brings 12 years of experience helping adolescents navigate developmental challenges through his work as a licensed social worker, teacher, and coach. Eve Whitehouse serves as Academic Dean overseeing 9th and 10th grades with expertise in holistic education and curriculum development. JJ Morrissey leads student engagement initiatives with 17 years in education, implementing evidence-based methodologies that create environments where students flourish.

Recommended Resources: "The Good Life" by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schultz - 87-year Harvard longitudinal study proving relationships are the #1 factor in health and happiness

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected] Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ Student Life Community of Practice: https://www.treyeducation.com/event/student-life-professionals/

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together

Data-Driven Student Wellbeing with Authentic Connections Leaders

Discover how schools can transform their approach to student mental health through comprehensive data collection and relationship-focused interventions. Nina Kumar and Nicole Hager from Authentic Connections share insights on moving beyond crisis response to proactive wellbeing strategies that support entire school communities.

This episode explores the critical shift from reactive dean work—constantly "putting out fires"—to strategic, data-informed decision making that addresses root causes of student struggles. Learn how anonymous surveys reveal hidden challenges affecting marginalized students and provide schools with actionable recommendations for creating authentic connections between students and trusted adults.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to identify wellness challenges that traditional observation methods miss

• Strategies for using demographic data to focus intervention efforts effectively

• Best practices for surveying students, faculty, and parents to capture comprehensive community perspectives

• Methods for building authentic student-adult relationships that prevent crisis situations

• Approaches to addressing political polarization and maintaining civil discourse in educational settings

Featured Guests: Nina Kumar combines computer science and psychology expertise as Co-Founder and CEO of Authentic Connections, helping schools understand how climate affects community mental health. Nicole Hager brings nearly 30 years of independent school administration experience, with specialized focus on supporting students of color and LGBTQ+ students in boarding and day school environments.

Recommended Resources: Authentic Connections wellbeing surveys, Dr. Sonya Luther's resilience research, relationship mapping exercises for faculty and students

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected] Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ Student Life Community of Practice: https://www.treyeducation.com/event/student-life-professionals/

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.

Supporting School Leaders: From Dean of Students to Process Consultant

Discover how to build effective support systems for education leaders in this essential conversation between Bridget Johnson and veteran educator Lukie Wells. With 35+ years in independent schools, Lukie shares invaluable insights on the unique challenges facing deans of students, the critical importance of authentic feedback for heads of school, and strategies for creating accountability while maintaining collaborative culture.

This episode explores the often-overlooked support needs of school leaders, from the isolation experienced by deans of students to the complex dynamics affecting senior administrative teams. Lukie's journey from dean to process consultant provides a unique perspective on what leaders truly need to succeed, including the power of debriefing difficult conversations and building trust within teams.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why deans of students face unique challenges and how to provide meaningful support

• How to assess and improve trust dynamics within senior administrative teams

• Strategies for giving and receiving authentic feedback as a school leader

• Methods for creating accountability systems that preserve collaborative culture

• The importance of professional coaching and mentoring throughout your career

Featured Guest: Lukie Wells, Senior Partner at Design Group International, brings extensive experience as former Dean of Students at Milton Academy and Darrow School. She developed the NAIS Coaches Corner and holds certifications in process consulting and organizational dynamics, making her uniquely qualified to address the support needs of education professionals.

Recommended Resources: NAIS Coaches Corner, Design Group International process consulting services

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected] Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ Student Life Community of Practice: https://www.treyeducation.com/event/student-life-professionals/

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.

Beyond Zero Tolerance: How Student Voices Are Revolutionizing School Substance Prevention with Soundcheck Prevention Network

Discover how centering student voices can transform substance use prevention in schools. Will Straughan and Lee Bergeron from Soundcheck Prevention Network share their innovative approach to creating healthier school environments through authentic engagement and evidence-based programming.

Both guests bring personal recovery journeys to their professional work, offering unique perspectives on breaking down barriers between adults and students. Their nonprofit organization develops student-centered programming that moves beyond traditional classroom education to embed prevention mindsets throughout school culture, linking substance use prevention with broader mental health and wellbeing initiatives.

This conversation explores the evolution of school substance policies, from zero tolerance approaches to sanctuary policies, and examines current trends affecting students including the rise of nicotine pouches and continued vaping concerns. Will and Lee discuss their "Soundboards" methodology—qualitative assessments that gather perspectives from students, faculty, parents, and administrators to identify risk and protective factors within school communities.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why student-centered approaches are more effective than traditional prevention education

• How to balance clear disciplinary policies with supportive non-disciplinary pathways

• Current substance use trends among students that educators should know about

• Strategies for integrating mental health considerations into prevention programming

• International perspectives on prevention that can inform American school practices

Featured Guests: Will Straughan, founder and CEO of Soundcheck Prevention Network, has taught substance abuse prevention to thousands of young people across more than 20 states and internationally. Lee Bergeron, LMSW, serves as Director of Program Development, bringing clinical social work experience and specialized expertise in youth and family therapy to prevention work.

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org  Check out the Deans' Roundtable Community:  https://bit.ly/drt-community-profile  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected]

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.

Conflict Resolution Mastery: From Hostage Negotiator to Leadership Coach - Ryan Dunlap

What if the skills used to defuse hostage situations could transform your most challenging workplace conversations? Join Bridget Johnson as she sits down with Ryan Dunlap, a former SWAT hostage negotiator turned conflict management expert, who reveals how high-stakes communication principles can revolutionize leadership in educational settings.

Ryan's remarkable journey from law enforcement through ministry to becoming an internationally recognized conflict coach offers unique insights into managing pressure, building instant trust, and navigating emotionally charged conversations. As founder of Conflict-ish and creator of The Real Tact Model® used by organizations like Chick-fil-A and Yale, Ryan shares practical frameworks that help leaders move from reactive responses to strategic relationship building.

This conversation tackles the real challenges educational leaders face daily - from difficult parent conversations to managing consistently negative team members. Ryan reveals why facts don't resolve feelings, how to be right and wrong simultaneously, and the critical difference between communicating with care versus communicating carefully.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to build instant trust and rapport in high-pressure situations without pre-existing relationships

• The three unconscious questions every person asks when meeting someone new and how to address them

• Why validating emotions must come before presenting facts in any difficult conversation

• How to recognize when you're doing the right thing the wrong way and pivot gracefully

• Practical strategies for managing team members who consistently bring negative energy to workplace dynamics

Featured Guest: Ryan Dunlap combines over 20 years of experience in law enforcement, ministry, and executive leadership as founder and Chief Conflict Officer at Conflict-ish. He holds an M.S. in Communication and Leadership from Purdue University and brings over 3,600 hours of specialized training including FBI Interviews & Interrogations and SWAT operations. His background as an SVU Detective, SWAT hostage negotiator, and crisis intervention officer provides unique insights into pressure management and strategic communication. Ryan serves as co-faculty at the University at Buffalo School of Management and expert advisor to state governments including the Georgia Sexual Assault Response Team and Tennessee Human Trafficking Advisory Council.

Recommended Resources: • The Art of Tact 60-day training program  • The Real Tact Model® conflict management framework  • "How to Untie a Balloon" book

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org Check out the Deans' Roundtable Community: https://bit.ly/drt-community-profile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected]

The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.