"Can you please take me to the Emergency Room?"
The date was March 11, 2010
I was lying on the bathroom floor at my house.
I was severely dehydrated because I couldn't keep anything down for two days. I asked my wife to take me to the hospital.
The ER doctor asked me, "Do you have a stressful job?"
After a lot of tests, I was told that I had four ulcers in the lining of my stomach and esophagus.
My job as a Private School Leader had finally put me in the hospital.
Which of these statements best describes you?
I feel discouraged, exhausted and stressed out. I'm not sure that my job is sustainable.
I am in survival mode.
I wish that I had more time with my family.
My school invades every part of my professional and personal life.
I want to have a long and happy and fulfilling career as a private school leader.
I wish that my job still energized me like it used to.
I am "fine", but it has been a long time since I felt like I was really "rocking it" at school.
I feel called to do this work, but I am not sure how long I can keep doing it if nothing changes.
I have been where you are.
I have been diagnosed with burnout.
I have had my daughter ask me, "Dad, when do we get to see you instead of the back of your laptop?"
I have thought about getting out of education. Just walking away. It was too stressful, too overwhelming, too lonely, too hard.
The good news is that it doesn't have to stay this way.
I was in bad shape. But I figured it out. I went from SURVIVING to THRIVING and you can too.
I can teach you how.
That's why I created THRIVE Academy.
Introducing THRIVE Academy!
March 11, 2010 was one of the lowest points of my career.
That day, I made a choice. I decided to do something about it.
Over the next three years, I changed a lot of things at work and at home.
For the last 11 years, I have felt happy, fulfilled and energized at school.
I figured it out.
I believe that it IS possible to have a long AND happy AND fulfilling career as a Private School Leader.
In THRIVE Academy, I will teach you how to make this a reality in your life.
This is about TRANSFORMATION, not information. You can get information for free from blog posts, YouTube videos and podcasts.
You are paying for the transformation.
The course curriculum is laid out in a step by step, easy to use format that will guide your from where you are to where you want to be.
We will do this one lesson at a time, one page at a time, one strategy at a time, one sustainable system at a time.
"The job of being an administrator can be very challenging and lonely. Over time it can wear you down physically, emotionally and spiritually if you are not careful. I found that THRIVE Academy was like a life line.
The course has empowered me to be my best self. It reinvigorated me and has given practical tools that are easy to apply to my daily routine, maximizing my efficiency and presence on campus.
I truly am more motivated and fulfilled in my job after having taken this course and highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking to do the same."
Steve Springer, Associate Head of School, Santa Monica, CA
"It's not easy to be a private school leader. Having resources and an experienced mentor can mean the difference between a long successful career and burn out. This was definitely my story. Prior to THRIVE Academy, I was wondering how I could continue to balance all of the demands of work and also be present for my family and friends. I was trying to do "everything" but I lacked systems and thinking that could help me become efficient and effective. Enter Mark and THRIVE Academy, and I now have a whole new outlook on my work. I have been able to implement strategies that have been game changers.
THRIVE Academy
- 7 Modules and 39 lessons
- Over 9 hours of video content
- 86 page workbook with guided notes, reflection questions, tracking calendars, charts & more
- Office hours (live on Zoom for the first 6 weeks)
THRIVE Academy Modules:
Travel The Path To Real Fulfillment
Hijack The Tyranny Of The Urgent
Realize Work-Life Blend With Boundaries
Increase Your Energy Level
Vitalize Your Relationships
Engage In Effective Leadership
"In October of 2023, I found myself drowning in the multitude of responsibilities that came with being an Assistant Head of School. I felt little joy in the day to day. It bled into every single aspect of my personal life in ways I was entirely unaware. I had no "work/life balance"; that term felt foreign, unattainable and the concept laughable.
A fellow Assistant Head of School referred me to Mark. I was skeptical about his ability to help me make the sort of grand change I believed needed to happen in order for me to stay in the field of independent school leadership. Furthermore, I was skeptical about what a white man might possibly understand about my personal struggles as an Asian leader of a private school.
Mark was gentle, kind, and listened deeply before offering any solutions. I felt he intuitively and compassionately understood. Session by session, he helped me organize my schedule with a fine-tooth comb and reframe my thinking about work and my self worth. These powerful insights and changes led to small alterations in my day- which then led to transformational change thereafter.
I have learned too many things to list, but among the most poignant: my deepest sense of why I do what I do. To be forced to articulate it clearly then allowed me to put my time and energy into ensuring that my actions aligned with my purpose. To do otherwise is depleting. He reminded me, week by week, of what I've accomplished, and why I deserve what I have earned.
Four months later, I have a restored sense of passion for my job- not always and everyday- but certainly more than enough to continue on my educational leadership path for the foreseeable future.
Maria, Assistant Head of School, Los Angeles, CA
THRIVE Academy is a godsend for private school leaders! The insights and skills that Mark Minkus shares throughout the lessons are game changers. THRIVE Academy provides school leaders with the tools and knowledge to spend less time putting out fires and struggling through a never ending workload, to finding a more balanced and fulfilling way of approaching school management. I am incredibly thankful for the life changing impact that THRIVE Academy has had on me. I highly recommend that every school leader complete this course!
Jimelle, Co-Founder/Director, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Module 1: Travel The Path To Real Fulfillment
Module 2: Hijack The Tyranny Of The Urgent
Module 3: Realize Work-Life Blend With Boundaries
Module 4: Increase Your Energy Level
Module 5: Vitalize Your Relationships
Module 6: Engage In Effective Leadership
Module 7: Close Your “Story Loop”
Meet Your Instructor
Hi! My name is Mark Minkus and I have been a Private School Leader for over 32 years and I have been coaching school leaders for over 20 years.
I have been where you are.
I have been diagnosed with burnout. I have had my daughter ask me, "Dad, when do we get to see you instead of the back of your laptop?"
I have wondered if I can keep going after all of the years of stress, decisions, upset parents, budgets, board meetings, needy teachers, student discipline, broken furnaces and evenings and weekends dominated by school work.
In THRIVE Academy, I will take you step by step through a very intentional curriculum. I will help you accurately assess where you are, clearly define why you do what you do and teach you strategies to better manage your time and create sustainable boundaries between school and home.
I can't wait to help you go from surviving to THRIVING!
"I found myself in a lonely place, facing challenges that called for collaboration but required confidentiality. Overwhelmed and in need of a sounding board, my decision to hire Mark saved my summer! I found practical, responsive, and wise counsel that transformed the way I thought about my work. He helped reconnect me to my purpose while filling my tool belt with ideas I could implement immediately. I now have a plan, a few new habits, and a new outlook on the upcoming year. At a time when I needed an objective, trustworthy voice, Mark walked me out of the wilderness and helped me find a path forward. Thank you Mark!"
Brad, Principal, Kentucky
"Mark's coaching was transformational for my practice as a school leader. Larger than just my scope of work, Mark helped me reshape my personal life. He helped me recognize that despite my reluctance to face it, my relationships were being adversely impacted by my work life. Mark gave me the permission to take care of myself, and in doing so take care of those around me, making me a more effective, happier, inspired school leader."
Adam, Head of Lower School, Colorado
Professional Development for Private School Leaders is typically expensive and rare.
The budget is always tight. That means that you usually are near the bottom of the list when it comes to professional development.
Going to a conference can be very expensive: travel, meals, lodging, registration. Sometimes a conference can easily cost over $1000.00 for just one school leader.
THRIVE Academy is less than $400.00 and I guarantee the results or you get your money back.
I will be happy to send you an invoice so that your school can pay for this important PD opportunity.
You can also get a group discount when you purchase THRIVE Academy for your Leadership Team (Email [email protected] for more details)
How does a digital class work?
What kind of support do I get after I purchase the course?
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Why should I pay for a digital course?
Is there a payment plan option?
"Truly, if I had not reached out I would not still be in this office today. Still lots to do both at home and at work, but it is more manageable because of you. Very blessed to have worked with you and have you in my corner."
A.C., Head of School Texas
“As a private school leader with 28 years experience as a high school principal, it is the now dual role of Executive Director/Principal that challenges me to develop new leadership skills and enhance existing skills in order to effectively lead a school with Montessori through Grade 12 students, faculty, and administrators. In order to help broaden my vision and create a leadership toolbox, Mark Minkus provided me with strategies that I have implemented in what has been the best start ever to the school year. His coaching is invaluable to not only the new administrator but the veteran as well.”
Pam, Head of School, Kentucky
"You have provided me with the confidence, knowledge, and practical strategies essential for approaching my new role as Dean of Students with professionalism and assurance."
Maria, Dean of Students, New York
"As a first year Head of School, I cannot express enough how valuable you've been in shaping my approach to leadership and fostering positive school culture."
Erica, Head of School, North Carolina
"Mark Minkus has been a lifeline for me at times. I’m 5 years into the job and I still feel like his advice and resources are useful, relevant and crucial to leading in a private school of this century.
Mark has a way to validate my feelings as a leader and has inspired me to move past my doubts to achieve greater things! The part where he said “you said yes to this job, this very exhausting and beautiful job” had me in tears.
He’s extremely personable and patient and doesn’t mind going the extra mile for you. Mark is an inspirational leader who will be leading many leaders that are raising up amazing generations to come!"
Eman, Head of School, Florida
"I appreciate all of your advice, insights, and encouragement throughout this last year. I did four observations last month and made my daily notecard first thing this morning, so you helped me build habits that I find extremely useful. Thank you!"
Kate, Principal, Washington, DC
"Through Mark’s private coaching, his podcast, and online resources, I am more intentional and productive with my time during the school day. Mark has given me specific strategies which I have implemented from PreK 3 to 7th Grade which are helping transform the culture of my school. I have also found a renewed sense of joy and enthusiasm as a school leader through Mark’s coaching. My overall quality of life at home with my family and my effectiveness as a school leader have both greatly improved."
Thomas, Principal, Louisiana
“Sometimes your words challenge me to be better. Sometimes your words give me something to think about. Sometimes I receive new insights and ideas that I want to put into practice immediately. Sometimes I see myself in you when you speak about how your life used to be in the beginning years of your leadership. I see that in myself right now and I am worried that I will burn out. I want to be in this vocation for the rest of my life, God willing, but I know I need to change if I am going to be able to do so in the future!”
Keith, Principal, Rhode Island
