The previous Corner asked "Why do so many alumni return to work at Proctor?" This one answers that question. While they were here, they witnessed something, and now they want IN.

The media is all excited about the relatively large compensation paid to the Head of a local boarding school. I’m not going to deny that salaries matter to independent school folk (and does anyone want teachers who feel like martyrs?), but a leading consulting organization, Independent School Management, has identified faculty culture as a critical factor to teacher satisfaction and school health. Faculty culture at Proctor is truly extraordinary.

How did we end up with the culture we know today? Could another school mimic it? Certainly, it involves taking lots of risks. In Thursday’s faculty meeting, Dean of Faculty Karl Methven reviewed Gallup’s key questions to evaluate job satisfaction, including: Do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day? Do I receive regular recognition and praise? Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work? Do I have ample opportunities to learn and grow? Am I made to feel that my job is important? Here’s Patrice Martin helping Derek Mansell (back from three years teaching Proctor in Segovia) with his new iBook:

At the opening meeting this week, Steve Wilkins described the faculty as "...a group of very smart and very funny people." Certainly, the reference to humor proved true when we broke into eleven groups to brainstorm and write Head's speeches to students and families in September, 2023. The images at right are all from the recitation of those visionary addresses. In addition to being hilarious, they were thoughtful, challenging and exhilarating.

To attract and retain smart, creative teachers, start by creating healthy faculty culture. But how?