The Community for Deans of Students
Find Insight, Support, and Strategies to Strengthen School Culture
Feeling the weight of student life leadership?
The late-night calls, the student crises, the constant pressure to balance care with accountability—it’s enough to leave even the most dedicated leaders drained and questioning their impact.
You don’t have to carry it alone.
We know what it’s like to face mounting challenges with limited time and resources. That’s why we’ve built tools and supports designed specifically for independent school leaders who want to strengthen culture, sustain their teams, and make decisions grounded in evidence, not just anecdotes.
Here, your toughest questions find clear answers, your challenges are met with practical strategies, and your leadership is strengthened for the long run.
What we offer...
The Deans’ Roundtable Annual Conference
Your Annual Hub for Student Life Leaders
Since 2012, our four-day conference has brought together independent school professionals to tackle the most pressing issues in student life—work-life balance, restorative practices, equity, discipline, and more. Attendees leave with fresh strategies, meaningful connections, and renewed confidence to lead in their schools.
K–12 Student Life Assessment
Move Beyond Anecdotes to Evidence-Based Action
Our tailored assessment gives you hard data across eight dimensions of student life—helping you understand culture, workload, retention, and program effectiveness. With expert analysis and peer benchmarks, we deliver clear insights and practical roadmaps so your school can measure what truly matters.
Leadership Coaching & Consulting
Personalized Support for School Leaders
Whether you’re refining your leadership style, strengthening team dynamics, or navigating school culture challenges, our coaching provides tools, strategies, and support designed specifically for student life leaders. Grounded in decades of experience, Bridget Johnson helps leaders build resilience, clarity, and lasting impact.
Check Out "The Table":
The Deans' Roundtable Podcast Series!
We’ve grown from webinars into a full podcast series. Each conversation dives deep into the issues that matter most for student life professionals, blending practical strategies with authentic insights from leaders in the field.
Here’s what you’ll find:
Engaging conversations with school and industry experts
In-depth explorations of current challenges in student life leadership
Exclusive insights shaped by years of experience with independent schools
Open access – no membership required
Recent episodes have tackled leadership burnout, nervous system awareness for student life leaders, managing up in schools, student mental health crisis prevention, and more.
The Deans' Roundtable Blog
Parent Feedback in Schools: Building Trust Through Better Listening
Most school leaders experience what Ryan Ermeling calls “Post-Traumatic Feedback Disorder.” Learn how to move beyond fear and build systematic approaches to parent feedback that actually strengthen your school community rather than erode it.
Why “Hang On Until Spring” Is a Leadership Risk | Sustainable School Leadership
School leaders often mistake endurance for steadiness, especially in February when exhaustion peaks. But “just hanging on until spring” quietly increases risk across your entire system. Here’s what sustainable leadership looks like at the heaviest point of the year.
Leadership Presence in Schools: Why Authenticity Matters More Than Authority
Belle Halpern, founder of Inspiring Educators, shares insights on developing leadership presence in schools through authenticity rather than authority. Learn about the four leadership roles framework and how making teachers feel genuinely seen transforms school culture.
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