FAQ's

Asking questions is the foundation of education, and it’s safe to say, if you’ve made it to this page you are an avid learner. Please see our FAQ’s below, and if you don’t see an answer to your pressing question, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We love answering questions. Why else would we be here?

About the Deans' Roundtable

Membership
Why should my school purchase a membership?

Access to Resources: Membership provides schools exclusive access to various resources that can enhance the educational experience. This could include new student orientation ideas, student activities, and other educational tools that might not be easily available elsewhere.

Networking Opportunities: Membership provides schools with networking opportunities, allowing them to connect with other educational institutions, share best practices, and collaborate on projects. This networking can foster a sense of community and provide a platform for exchanging ideas.

Updates on Industry Trends: Being a member keeps schools informed about the latest trends and developments in the education sector. This ensures that they stay current with innovations and are better positioned to adapt to changes in the educational landscape.

Who does the membership benefit?

School Administrators: Access to resources, vendor discounts, and networking opportunities can help administrators make informed decisions, manage budgets efficiently, and stay connected with the broader educational community.

Educators: Professional development opportunities, access to teaching resources, and networking can enhance teachers’ effectiveness in the classroom, ultimately benefiting the students.

Students: The ultimate beneficiaries are the students, as the resources, professional development, and enhanced networking provided through the membership contribute to an enriched and well-rounded educational experience.

Is this an annual membership?

You can choose to pay month to month, or annually. Keep in mind that with an annual membership, you save 20% on the cost. 

Does my membership automatically renew?

Yes it does! You can cancel your membership and still access all of the awesome resources until the membership period expires. 

Annual Conference
Who attends the conference?

The conference is intended for student life professionals in the K-12 space. All are welcome: day schools, boarding schools, etc.

Can I attend just the New Dean’s portion, and who is the New Deans’ intended for?

Yes, it is possible just to attend the New Deans’ portion. The New Deans is for anyone who has served in a student life role for three years or less.

Where is the conference located?

For the past six years, the conference has been held on Nobles & Greenough’s campus in Dedham, MA. This year, it will be held for the first time at the New England Innovation Academy in Marlborough, MA.

How long does the conference last?

The general session (Regular Deans) lasts roughly 2.5-3 days. The New Deans session is a one day event preceding the general session. 

Is there more than one conference per year?

Not at this time, but stay tuned!

Is it possible for multiple representatives from a single school to attend?

Yes, we encourage teams to attend.

Podcasts
When can I expect podcasts to be available?

The  Deans’ Roundtable will be producing at least one podcast a month and has plans to increase that number in the future. 

Where can I listen to/watch the DRT podcasts?

Episodes are available on YouTube and Spotify. We are working to get the podcasts on Apple Podcasts as soon as possible. 

The webinars will address “hot topics” indicated by our members. Mental health, social media, AI, restorative practices, and student leadership to name a few.

Office Hours
What are the DRT Office Hours?

The DRT Office Hours are free, monthly Zoom sessions hosted by the Deans’ Roundtable. You can expect there to be a “Lunchtime Session” and an “After School Session” so you can find the time to join. These sessions are meant for K-12 Student Life Professionals to: 

  • Share challenges and brainstorm solutions in real-time
  • Tap into the collective wisdom of experienced education leaders
  • Build stronger connections within our network of professionals
  • Gain fresh perspectives on pressing issues in student life and K-12 education

Check out our Eventbrite page to see upcoming Office Hours sessions. 

About the DRT Community

Getting Started
How do I sign up to the DRT Community?

The Deans’ Roundtable Community is hosted on the Networked platform (similar to creating a Page on Facebook). Go to the DRT Community profile on Networked and choose from one of the 4 plans (small school/big school & monthly/yearly). Once you have completed the registration process, you’re in! It’s that easy. 

I signed up, now what?

Now that you’re signed up we ask that all new members introduce themselves in the “Introduce Yourself” space, found in the Community section of the vertical menu on the left side of the screen. 

After that, the world is your oyster: 

  • Start a conversation about a Student Life topic you are passionate about
  • Ask the burning question you feel you can’t find an answer to
  • Seek out someone you might resonate with and connect with them 
Discussion Rooms
What are discussion rooms in the DRT Community?

The Discussion Rooms are the backbone, the meat, the lifeblood of the DRT Community. These spaces are where questions get answered, where connections are made, and where solitude comes to wither away. 

We hope that the discussion rooms are where Student Life Professionals can get the support they so deserve, from people who truly understand and care about their struggles and successes. 

What should I do if a conversation gets out of hand?

If you see something, say something. 

The DRT Community is a safe space and has zero tolerance for bullying, belittling, and hate speech. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us:

  • bridget@deansroundtable.org
  • andrick@deansroundtable.org

You should never be made to feel unwelcome in this community. 

Can I recommend a discussion room that doesn't exist?

We’re so glad you asked. If you scroll to the “Help and Support” section on the vertical menu, you will see the “Request a Space” space where you can let us know your idea for the space you think would be a good fit for the community. If we think it’s a good idea, too, We’ll add it asap. 

Guidelines and Expectations

Please check out our community profile and scroll down to see our “Guidelines and Expectations” for all our community members. 

Resources
Where do I find the resources in the DRT Community?

Our resources live in the “Resources and Files” section on the vertical menu on the left side of the screen. 

You will see that we have our resources separated into categories: 

  • DRT Annual Conference
  • Articles
  • Book Recommendations
  • Speaker Referrals
  • Helpful Websites

Members can add to any of the latter 4. The DRT Annual Conference space will be managed specifically by our team to provide information and resources about and from past and future conferences. 

How do I add a resource?

If you have a relevant and helpful resource that you think would be beneficial to the community here is how you would add said resource: 

  • Click on the resource space that matches the kind of resource you want to share. 
  • Click on the “Media Center” tab to access the resources in that space. 
  • Click on the “+ Add” button on the right side of the screen. 
  • Select the kind of resource you would like to add and follow the instructions to properly add it. 

Part of the mission of the DRT Community is to share helpful resources to make the career journey of it’s members that much smoother. Thank you for your contribution to our resource hub!

What should I do if I see a resource that feels innapropriate?

If you see something, say something. The DRT Community strives to be a professional community that offers quality resources to its members and hopes that all will respect the community Guidelines and Expectations. 

If you see something that feels “out of place”, contact us immediately so we can ensure that as few members are effected by it. 

  • bridget@deansroundtable.org
  • andrick@deansroundtable.org 
Getting Help

If you have any questions regarding the Community, the Networked platform, or you just need help, please do not hesitate to reach out to us: 

  • bridget@deansroundtable.org
  • andrick@deansroundtable.org
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