Head of School Search FAQ
Will the School’s Mission or Philosophy change with a new Head of School?
No. The school’s play-based mission has been thoughtfully developed over time. An important factor in evaluating potential candidates for the next Head of School will be how well candidates understand, support, enhance, and can carry forward the mission.
Why a nation-wide Head of School search?
The Paddington Station Board of Trustees desires to attract the best candidates possible for our school. While we may very well find an excellent candidate in our own backyard, it is in the best long-term interest of Paddington Station to conduct a national search to ensure that we find a leader who is an exceptional fit for our wonderfully unique community.
What firm is supporting the search process?
The Head of School and Executive Committee of the Board spent December and January thoroughly researching, interviewing, and vetting three national search firms. After careful review and thoughtful deliberation, Paddington Station hired Educational Directions to conduct the Head of School Search. Jay Underwood and Jerry Larson from EduDx will serve as Paddington's search consultants.
What is the timeline for the search?
Educational Directions will commence work immediately, with the goal of having finalists visit the campus by mid to late fall 2023 and an announced appointment of the new Head of School by December 1, 2023.
What is the role of the Board of Trustees in search?
The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the entire search process and selecting the new Head of School, in partnership with Educational Directions. Additionally, the Vice Chair of the Board is serving as Chair of the Head of School Search Committee and will work to ensure alignment between the Search Committee and the entire Board of Trustees.
What is the role of the Search Committee?
The Search Committee will work thoughtfully with Educational Directions. They will craft a Position Statement for the job defining the qualities and qualifications required to be a successful next Head of School. They will be responsible for reviewing all candidate files, selecting and interviewing potential candidates, verifying references, and making the final recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
How are Search Committee members selected?
The Board appointed its Executive Committee to form the Head of School Search Committee as its own entity. The group will have approximately 11 individuals composed of Board members, faculty and staff members, a non-Board member parent and Deb in an advisory non-voting capacity. Search Committee members were appointed based on their commitment to the Paddington mission, culture, and values, the constituency they represent, and their ability to fully participate in a process that has a demanding schedule. Search Committee members share a deep appreciation for the mission of Paddington Station and high degree of involvement in the school community. They include individuals who offer a diverse set of experiences and points of view.
Will the Head of School search impact the student experience?
No. Current Head of School, Deb Deverell, will remain at the helm of Paddington Station through the end of the 2023-24 school year. Once a new candidate is hired, a transition plan will be put into place to ensure a smooth transition for families, students, faculty, and staff.
Will the search impact the time of the administration or faculty in daily operations of the school?
No. While the input of the administration and faculty will be sought throughout the search process, it will not impact time in the classroom or ongoing operations.
How will the Search Committee keep the Paddington community updated?
There will be communication from the Search Committee throughout the process. The Search Committee will share all important updates via All Aboard and the Head of School Search page. It is important to note however, that while important updates will be shared, the search process is confidential, which at times could limit the amount of information shared.
How can I help during the search?
An in-person townhall meeting for all community members to attend will be held with our search consultants Jay Underwood and Jerry Larson at 9am in the foyer on April 5, 2023.
On April 11, a virtual community town hall Zoom will be held at 7-8:30pm. You can join the meeting here.
In mid-April a community survey will be sent via All Aboard for you to share your input.
Future opportunities to participate will be shared via All Aboard and on this page.
No. The school’s play-based mission has been thoughtfully developed over time. An important factor in evaluating potential candidates for the next Head of School will be how well candidates understand, support, enhance, and can carry forward the mission.
Why a nation-wide Head of School search?
The Paddington Station Board of Trustees desires to attract the best candidates possible for our school. While we may very well find an excellent candidate in our own backyard, it is in the best long-term interest of Paddington Station to conduct a national search to ensure that we find a leader who is an exceptional fit for our wonderfully unique community.
What firm is supporting the search process?
The Head of School and Executive Committee of the Board spent December and January thoroughly researching, interviewing, and vetting three national search firms. After careful review and thoughtful deliberation, Paddington Station hired Educational Directions to conduct the Head of School Search. Jay Underwood and Jerry Larson from EduDx will serve as Paddington's search consultants.
What is the timeline for the search?
Educational Directions will commence work immediately, with the goal of having finalists visit the campus by mid to late fall 2023 and an announced appointment of the new Head of School by December 1, 2023.
What is the role of the Board of Trustees in search?
The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the entire search process and selecting the new Head of School, in partnership with Educational Directions. Additionally, the Vice Chair of the Board is serving as Chair of the Head of School Search Committee and will work to ensure alignment between the Search Committee and the entire Board of Trustees.
What is the role of the Search Committee?
The Search Committee will work thoughtfully with Educational Directions. They will craft a Position Statement for the job defining the qualities and qualifications required to be a successful next Head of School. They will be responsible for reviewing all candidate files, selecting and interviewing potential candidates, verifying references, and making the final recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
How are Search Committee members selected?
The Board appointed its Executive Committee to form the Head of School Search Committee as its own entity. The group will have approximately 11 individuals composed of Board members, faculty and staff members, a non-Board member parent and Deb in an advisory non-voting capacity. Search Committee members were appointed based on their commitment to the Paddington mission, culture, and values, the constituency they represent, and their ability to fully participate in a process that has a demanding schedule. Search Committee members share a deep appreciation for the mission of Paddington Station and high degree of involvement in the school community. They include individuals who offer a diverse set of experiences and points of view.
Will the Head of School search impact the student experience?
No. Current Head of School, Deb Deverell, will remain at the helm of Paddington Station through the end of the 2023-24 school year. Once a new candidate is hired, a transition plan will be put into place to ensure a smooth transition for families, students, faculty, and staff.
Will the search impact the time of the administration or faculty in daily operations of the school?
No. While the input of the administration and faculty will be sought throughout the search process, it will not impact time in the classroom or ongoing operations.
How will the Search Committee keep the Paddington community updated?
There will be communication from the Search Committee throughout the process. The Search Committee will share all important updates via All Aboard and the Head of School Search page. It is important to note however, that while important updates will be shared, the search process is confidential, which at times could limit the amount of information shared.
How can I help during the search?
An in-person townhall meeting for all community members to attend will be held with our search consultants Jay Underwood and Jerry Larson at 9am in the foyer on April 5, 2023.
On April 11, a virtual community town hall Zoom will be held at 7-8:30pm. You can join the meeting here.
In mid-April a community survey will be sent via All Aboard for you to share your input.
Future opportunities to participate will be shared via All Aboard and on this page.