In this episode of Take a Seat, host and flourishing expert Dr. Nick Holton talks to Michael G. Turner, Head of The Shipley School (a PreK through Grade 12 private school in the western Philadelphia suburbs) about the history and future of independent school education, exploring how private schools can transform to better achieve flourishing and new conceptualizations of excellence. They discuss how private schools can become more equitable, the transition to an inquiry-, project-, and data-based approach to teaching and learning, taking advantage of opportunities for change in schools, and the evolution from positive education to educating for flourishing at Shipley. Turner argues for redefining the factors we use to measure success (like college admission) and explores how you begin to embed these values within the culture of a school.

Before transitioning to education, Michael G. Turner held roles in the private and public sectors, including serving as an Assistant Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia and a management consultant. Since then, he has served as a teacher, advisor, coach, admissions director, and Head of School, which is the role he serves in currently at The Shipley School.