A teacher, marker in hand, inspired by the divine, is empowering young minds preparing them to go out in the world and do good things. It’s a beautiful image, isn’t it? Now, pan over to the admission office, where they are trying extremely hard to find and recruit enough families who are willing to pay your high tuition, which, by the way, is coming from families discretionary funds. Not quite as celestial, is it?
But here’s a thought that might just flip your world upside down: What if the admission office is the real divine messenger?
Now, before you accuse me of blasphemy, hear me out.
The Parable of the Drowning Man
Let me tell you a story. There’s this guy, let’s call him Joe, caught in a flood. The water’s rising, but Joe’s not worried. “God will save me,” he says.
A canoe comes by. Joe waves it off. A motorboat arrives. Joe says, “No thanks, God’s got this.” A helicopter drops a ladder. Joe yells, “God will provide!”
Spoiler alert: Joe drowns.
At the pearly gates, Joe asks God, “Why didn’t you save me?” God sighs, “I sent a canoe, a boat, and a helicopter. What more did you want?”
Now, let’s bring this back to our schools.
The Divine Inspiration Dilemma
Many educators act and perhaps believe they’re divinely inspired. At the least they believe they don’t need parents telling them how to do their business. And who am I to argue? They work miracles with our kids as parents discovered during covid, when they had to teach them. It’s impressive stuff.
But here’s the kicker: Schools are closing. The numbers are too high. The largest percentage? Parochial schools. Ouch!
So, what gives? Have schools lost their divine mojo? Or are they pulling a Joe, ignoring the lifeboats God’s sending their way?
Enter the Admission Office: God’s Undercover Agent?
Here’s a radical thought: What if the admission office is God’s way of keeping schools afloat in these turbulent times?
Think about it:
- They bring in the students (and the tuition).
- They’re the frontline in understanding what parents want.
- They’re constantly adapting to market changes.
Sounds pretty miraculous to me.
The Blasphemy of Listening?
Now, I can hear the outcry: “But we can’t listen to parents! We’re the experts!”
To which I say: Why not both?
Remember, those parents you’re dismissing? They’re the ones funding your divine mission. Ignoring them is like telling God, “Thanks for the helicopter, but I’m waiting for somthing else.”
The Marketing Miracle
Here’s where marketing comes in. It’s not just about flashy brochures and catchy slogans. It’s about:
- Understanding your market (aka, the parents and students God’s sending your way when you listen to them)
- Communicating your value (that divine inspiration you’re so proud of)
- Adapting to changing needs (because even Jesus taught in parables or plain speech, depending on His audience)
The Divine Coordination
So, here’s the million-dollar question: Can educators’ divine inspiration coexist with the admission office’s market savvy?
Absolutely. In fact, it must.
Imagine a school where:
- Teachers are free to inspire
- Admission officers bring in the right students
- Parents feel heard and valued
- The mission thrives
That’s not just a school. That’s a miracle.
The Final Revelation
So, the next time you’re tempted to not advance the work of the admission office, remember Joe. Don’t let your school drown waiting for a sign from above.
The canoe is here. The motorboat is waiting. The helicopter is hovering. And that admission officer knocking on your door? They might just be the angel you’ve been praying for.
Now, go forth and market. Your mission depends on it.
