For Aspiring Leaders
What It's Really Like to be a New Head of School
Laura Fuller brings her diverse and broad experience as a classroom teacher, department chair, division administrator, and head of school, in 4 different regions of the country, to her role as consultant for head of school searches and executive coaching.
An Open Letter from a New Head to His Board Chair
With his retirement in 2012, David Dougherty completed 44 years of service in independent schools, including 21 years at the Episcopal High School (VA) and 19 as Headmaster of The Hill School (PA). As teacher, administrator, and trustee he has served boarding, day, single-sex, and co-educational schools. Here he addresses an early “conundrum” with TEG’s Executive Coaching Program: New Heads thought the idea was terrific, and Board Chairs the same, but neither was willing to raise the idea with the other. The new Head who was brimming with confidence was anxious about asking for help; the Board Chair who had just excitedly announced the completion of the school’s search did not want to suggest that the new Head might need support.
Former Head as Mentor: Why Pay for What We Can Get for Free?
Bob Kirkpatrick is an experienced leader in independent schools who over his 42-year career served in a number of roles, most recently as head of school for St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, Texas. Previous to his nine years at St. Stephen’s, he led Fox Chapel Country Day School in Pittsburgh, PA for seven years. Here he addresses an especially sensitive issue: Should a school’s retired head serve as a mentor to his successor?
When a New Head Succeeds a Legend
In his 42 years in independent schools, Dave Davies has served as head of the Deerfield-Windsor School (GA); a “founding” upper school head; an interim head; and a 27-year veteran of boarding school life. Here he addresses the challenges faced by a new Head succeeding a legendary school leader.