On November 17, PS1, a K-5 school in Los Angeles, announced the appointment of Susannah Wolf to start in July 2023. Susannah moves to PS1 from Miquon School near Philadelphia, where she served as the Head of School since 2015.

 

She received a B.A. in Contemporary European Social History from the University of Chicago and went on to earn an M.S. from New York’s Bank Street College of Education. Susannah has served as an administrative leader and a math teacher for three decades. She spent four years at Manhattan Country School in New York and 18 years at schools in Maryland, including Friends School of Baltimore and The Park School of Baltimore. She also served as a lead teacher for three summers at Rutgers University’s Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science, educating K-8 teachers and collaborating on curriculum development.

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The PS1 trustees write that "Susannah’s intelligence, warmth and approachability, combined with her dynamism, vision and experience, make her an ideal choice to serve as our next Head of School." We are thrilled for PS1 and wish Susannah and the School our very best.

In June 2024, Orchard announced the appointment of Edward Hollinger as Interim Head of School for the 2023-2024 academic year. Ed brings over 35 years of educational experience, including expertise in school transition management. Orchard will be Ed's tenth Interim Head appointment.

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Ed holds a B.A. in Social Sciences from Trinity College, an M.Ed. from Temple University, and a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Organization Change from Northwestern University. His career includes extensive experience as a classroom teacher and administrator. He was a founding Board member of Beacon Academy in Evanston, IL.

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His leadership, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and passion for learning will greatly benefit the Orchard School community.

In January 2022, Notre Dame appointed Erin Pratt to lead its upper division. Most recently, Erin served as Associate Upper School Director at Friends Select School (PA), where she also chaired the Mathematics Department. Prior to Friends Select, Erin taught mathematics and worked as the Dean of Students at Merion Mercy Academy (PA). She earned an undergraduate STEM degree from Villanova University, an advanced degree from Immaculata University, and her principal certification from Drexel University.

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In a letter announcing Erin's appointment, Notre Dame's Head of School, Dr. Laura Hotchkiss highlighted Erin's "positivity, warm personality, and compassion," as well as her "experience, enthusiasm, and student-centered leadership."

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We are very excited for Erin and the Notre Dame community, and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with everyone involved with the search.

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(photo by Aaron Li, FSS)

The Orchard School is delighted to announce the appointment of Erica Poon McGovern as the new Associate Head of School. Erica brings over 20 years of educational leadership and teaching experience, with a profound commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and progressive education.

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Erica's impressive career includes her most recent role as the Lower School Equity Curriculum Coordinator at The Spence School in New York City, where she helped foster a respectful and inclusive learning environment.

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Erica was a lead teacher at the Ethical Culture School and Village Community School in New York. Her contributions have consistently emphasized child-centered education, inquiry-based learning, and the importance of creating a supportive and engaging community for students and teachers alike.

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Erica holds a master's degree in Private School Leadership from Columbia University, a master's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education, and a Bachelor's degree in English and Women's and Gender Studies from Amherst College.

Congratulations to The Lang School, which announced in November that Mark Otto would serve as their next Head of School.

 

Mark is currently the Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Nonpublic Schools at the New York City Department of Education, a position he assumed in 2019 after serving three years as the NYCDOE's Director of Special Education. From 2005 to 2016 Mark had several roles at The Facing History School in New York City, as a Special Education Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Interim Acting Principal/Co-Principal. Mark began his career as a Special Education Teacher in California and New Jersey.

 

Mark holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in K-12 Special Education from SUNY New Paltz and an M.S. in Educational Leadership from NYU. Mark is also a Founder and current Board Chair of Friends of Facing History School.

In February 2021, PS1 Pluralistic School announced the appointment of Jij de Jesus as their first Associate Head of School. Jij moves to PS1 from Rowland Hall (UT) where he served as Lower School Principal since 2015. Previously, Jij worked at Town School for Boys in San Francisco, at Northfield School of Arts and Technology in the Twin Cities, and as a Wilderness Therapy Instructor in Minnesota and New Mexico.

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Joel Pelcyger, Head of School at PS1 wrote in his announcement, "I’m confident that Jij’s appointment reflects the fulfillment of our investment and our promise as a community. It has been clear to all of us, from the beginning of this process, that Jij shares our values, vision, and sense of purpose...The recommendations we received regarding Jij’s character and performance were, as they say, 'off the charts!'"

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We could not be more thrilled for our candidate and our client. Congratulations to all!

We are delighted to announce that St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Houston has appointed Dr. Troy Roddy to serve as its next Head of School.

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Troy moves from Holy Trinity Episcopal School in Houston to St. Stephen's in the summer of 2023. He has more than 30 years of teaching and administrative experience with a focus on elementary and middle school education.

 

Troy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Business Administration. He also earned two Master of Education degrees and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of New Orleans.

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The St. Stephen's search committee was particularly impressed with Troy's strong track record of enrollment management, effective middle school leadership, and leadership of capital improvement projects. We are exceptionally happy for Troy and our partners at St. Stephen's!