Steve Morris
Each month RG175 does a "deeper dive" to get to know one of our Independent School colleagues. This month we are spotlighting our newest RG175 consultant, Steve Morris. Steve just completed his 15th year as the Head of The San Francisco School. He has worked as a teacher and administrator in independent schools for the past 28 years. Before starting his work as Head of School, Steve was the Assistant Head of School for four years. Before that, Steve was the Dean of Multicultural Programs at University High School (UHS). In addition to his work in administration at UHS, Steve also taught English, served as the Community Service Learning Co-Director, and coached varsity soccer. His teaching career began at Sewickley Academy in Sewickley, PA, where Steve taught 9th-grade English. Before working in independent schools, Steve was the Executive Director of Summerbridge in Pittsburgh.
Steve holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from Stanford University, where he completed The Principal Fellows Program. He earned his bachelor's degree in English at The College of Wooster. Lastly, he has his Executive Coaching Certificate at the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute through the Haas School of Business. To read Steve's entire bio, click here.
Why did you choose RG175?
I chose RG175 for multiple reasons, but if I had to choose one, it is because we are a firm that is made up of folks who at one time in their career have been a Senior Administrator or Head of School. For me, stepping away from the Headship at this point in my career, while I am still “young” and have many years left before I retire, is an obvious risk. I loved being a Head of School to the point that it is hard to imagine what other kind of work could be as fulfilling. RG175 not only serves as a place of employment doing work that I love, but equally important, it is an affinity space to be with colleagues who know what it is truly like to be a Senior Admin or Head of School. We’ve each lived this work. And, there are so few people in the world who truly know what that means!
What are you looking forward to most about being a consultant in a search?
During my own years as a Head of School, I came to learn the impact that good recruitment, hiring and retention can have on a school. If done wrong, the impact can have major and lasting repercussions. However, if done well, it can truly help shift and shape the culture of an institution. As a partner in this process, I am looking forward to the opportunity to participate in helping individuals find the right home as well as supporting schools in their effort to shape culture!
What is most rewarding about serving as a mentor to a school head?
I don’t feel like I am overstating it when I say that serving as a Head of School is one of the most complex jobs in the world. Don’t believe me? How many of you serving in the role have had somebody say, “Wow…I don’t envy your work” or “I have so much respect for the job you do…I could never do that”? A job like this demands outside support. Good mentorship and coaching is perhaps the difference between a successful career or being escorted out the back door. I particularly like working with those new and/or early on in their career as a Senior Admin or Head. It’s an opportunity to help them form good practices and habits—one of which is taking care of one’s self!
What are some of your former achievements when you were a head of school?
My achievements are not much different than most who served in the role for as long as I did. I helped build buildings, raise money, support careers, and I laughed and cried with many a student and family. While I do not want to downplay that work, for me, I think my greatest achievement was finding and working at a school where I was truly mission aligned. One in which I believe I learned as much as I was able to offer. One that gave me a chance to grow alongside it. Beyond that, I am particularly proud of my work in growing and supporting the next group of leaders of color. There are so few Heads of color across our schools, and I was able to find very intentional ways to help grow that pipeline. I am committed to continuing that work.