Welcome to the Paddington Station Head of School Search page. In November of 2022, our long-time head of school, Deb Deverell, announced her retirement after the 2023-24 school year. As we embark on the search for our next Head of School, our goal is to provide the community with continually updated information. We will share links to recent communications and other updates regarding community engagement opportunities.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Head of School Announcement
Dear Paddington Community,
As you know, over the past few months, Paddington has taken part in a nationwide search for our next Head of School with the help and guidance of Jay Underwood and Jerry Larsen from Educational Directions search firm. The search yielded many wonderful candidates from both Colorado and afar. Based on extensive interviews and significant feedback from members of the Paddington community – including faculty, staff, families, and board members –the Search Committee identified our top candidate whom we submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval. By a unanimous vote, the Board of Trustees approved the Search Committee’s recommendation.
We are thrilled to share that the next Head of School for Paddington Station Preschool will be Hayley Harang. Hayley Harang was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She began volunteering and working summer camp at a preschool in New Orleans when she was in high school and college. Hayley holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University. After earning her Bachelor’s degree, she taught kindergarten for six years before stepping into administration. Hayley is currently the Director of Early Childhood and Emergency Operations Coordinator at St. George’s Episcopal School, a private independent school in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she has worked since 2008.
Hayley is passionate about play-based, social-emotional learning. She has a strong educational background and a commitment to supporting children, families, and teachers. As an educator and leader, Hayley is dedicated to teaching children, fostering the continued growth of their teachers, and working with their families to ensure an inclusive, supportive environment.
In her free time she enjoys ceramics, camping, and spending time with her husband, two children, dogs, and family. She is thrilled to be moving to Colorado and joining the Paddington community!
We asked Hayley to share with us, as we do with all our teachers and staff, her ‘Why Paddington?’ This is what she wrote:
Head of School Announcement
Dear Paddington Community,
As you know, over the past few months, Paddington has taken part in a nationwide search for our next Head of School with the help and guidance of Jay Underwood and Jerry Larsen from Educational Directions search firm. The search yielded many wonderful candidates from both Colorado and afar. Based on extensive interviews and significant feedback from members of the Paddington community – including faculty, staff, families, and board members –the Search Committee identified our top candidate whom we submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval. By a unanimous vote, the Board of Trustees approved the Search Committee’s recommendation.
We are thrilled to share that the next Head of School for Paddington Station Preschool will be Hayley Harang. Hayley Harang was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She began volunteering and working summer camp at a preschool in New Orleans when she was in high school and college. Hayley holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University. After earning her Bachelor’s degree, she taught kindergarten for six years before stepping into administration. Hayley is currently the Director of Early Childhood and Emergency Operations Coordinator at St. George’s Episcopal School, a private independent school in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she has worked since 2008.
Hayley is passionate about play-based, social-emotional learning. She has a strong educational background and a commitment to supporting children, families, and teachers. As an educator and leader, Hayley is dedicated to teaching children, fostering the continued growth of their teachers, and working with their families to ensure an inclusive, supportive environment.
In her free time she enjoys ceramics, camping, and spending time with her husband, two children, dogs, and family. She is thrilled to be moving to Colorado and joining the Paddington community!
We asked Hayley to share with us, as we do with all our teachers and staff, her ‘Why Paddington?’ This is what she wrote:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the search. Community input was crucial in helping us find the best fit for our school.
Hayley’s official start date will be July 1, 2024. Transition plans are already underway, and Deb and Hayley will work closely together to ensure a smooth passing of the baton. Please watch for additional updates and opportunities to interact with Hayley prior to her official start.
In partnership,
Marisa Carson
Chair of the Search Committee
Hayley’s official start date will be July 1, 2024. Transition plans are already underway, and Deb and Hayley will work closely together to ensure a smooth passing of the baton. Please watch for additional updates and opportunities to interact with Hayley prior to her official start.
In partnership,
Marisa Carson
Chair of the Search Committee
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Community Update: Search Progress and Timing
We hope you and your child(ren) have had a wonderful first week back at school. As Deb shared with the community in November of 2022, she will be retiring as Head of School at the end of the 2023-24 school year. While Deb focuses on ensuring Paddington has a magical, play-filled school year, the Paddington Search Committee, supported by Jay Underwood and Jerry Larson from Educational Directions, the search firm Paddington enlisted to conduct the Head of School Search, are focused on finding the next Head of School who will sustain and build-upon Deb’s incredible legacy.
Over the summer, Educational Directions was busy proactively sourcing candidates from the local community and across the nation. Through these efforts, they identified a strong pool of prospects that were presented to the Search Committee in late August.
The Search Committee is following a detailed process to review and evaluate each candidate and determine which ones will proceed to the semifinalist interview round. Semifinalist interviews will be conducted by the Search Committee on September 23 and 24 after which the Search Committee will determine the top three candidates to bring to Paddington for finalist interviews.
Finalist interviews will occur on campus October 2-3, 4-5, and 9-10. Faculty, staff, families, community members, the Board of Trustees, and members of the Search Committee will have the opportunity to spend time with each finalist and will be asked to weigh-in with their impressions to help inform the Search Committee’s ultimate selection. A Parent Breakfast Reception will be held in the foyer from 9-10am with each finalist on the second day of their visit – October 3, October 5 and October 10. We will provide more information as the dates approach, but please mark your calendars for now.
Our aim is to announce the new Head of School by November, at which point transition planning efforts will commence in earnest.
Please remember that while the Search Committee is vetting finalists, all candidates and their information is confidential. We look forward to sharing more with you in soon.
In partnership,
Marisa Carson
Chair of the Search Committee
Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees
Community Update: Search Progress and Timing
We hope you and your child(ren) have had a wonderful first week back at school. As Deb shared with the community in November of 2022, she will be retiring as Head of School at the end of the 2023-24 school year. While Deb focuses on ensuring Paddington has a magical, play-filled school year, the Paddington Search Committee, supported by Jay Underwood and Jerry Larson from Educational Directions, the search firm Paddington enlisted to conduct the Head of School Search, are focused on finding the next Head of School who will sustain and build-upon Deb’s incredible legacy.
Over the summer, Educational Directions was busy proactively sourcing candidates from the local community and across the nation. Through these efforts, they identified a strong pool of prospects that were presented to the Search Committee in late August.
The Search Committee is following a detailed process to review and evaluate each candidate and determine which ones will proceed to the semifinalist interview round. Semifinalist interviews will be conducted by the Search Committee on September 23 and 24 after which the Search Committee will determine the top three candidates to bring to Paddington for finalist interviews.
Finalist interviews will occur on campus October 2-3, 4-5, and 9-10. Faculty, staff, families, community members, the Board of Trustees, and members of the Search Committee will have the opportunity to spend time with each finalist and will be asked to weigh-in with their impressions to help inform the Search Committee’s ultimate selection. A Parent Breakfast Reception will be held in the foyer from 9-10am with each finalist on the second day of their visit – October 3, October 5 and October 10. We will provide more information as the dates approach, but please mark your calendars for now.
Our aim is to announce the new Head of School by November, at which point transition planning efforts will commence in earnest.
Please remember that while the Search Committee is vetting finalists, all candidates and their information is confidential. We look forward to sharing more with you in soon.
In partnership,
Marisa Carson
Chair of the Search Committee
Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Head of School Candidate Opportunity Statement
Paddington Station Preschool has launched a search for the next head of school to succeed the wonderful Deb Deverell, who is retiring in June 2024. If you or someone you know might be a strong fit to help move our community forward, please share the Opportunity Statement with them. All inquiries can be directed to our consultants, Jay Underwood at [email protected] or Jerry Larson at [email protected].
Head of School Candidate Opportunity Statement
Paddington Station Preschool has launched a search for the next head of school to succeed the wonderful Deb Deverell, who is retiring in June 2024. If you or someone you know might be a strong fit to help move our community forward, please share the Opportunity Statement with them. All inquiries can be directed to our consultants, Jay Underwood at [email protected] or Jerry Larson at [email protected].
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Educational Directions will be visiting our campus on April 4 and 5. They have a packed schedule, which you can find here. During their time on campus they will visit classrooms, meet with faculty and staff individually, meet with the search committee and hold a townhall for families.
We would like to invite you to a town hall held in the foyer at Paddington on April 5, 2023 at 9am. There will also be a virtual townhall held on April 11 from 7:00-8:30pm. Broad community input is critical to facilitating a successful leadership transition so we hope you will be able to join us for one or both of the town halls.
Educational Directions will be visiting our campus on April 4 and 5. They have a packed schedule, which you can find here. During their time on campus they will visit classrooms, meet with faculty and staff individually, meet with the search committee and hold a townhall for families.
We would like to invite you to a town hall held in the foyer at Paddington on April 5, 2023 at 9am. There will also be a virtual townhall held on April 11 from 7:00-8:30pm. Broad community input is critical to facilitating a successful leadership transition so we hope you will be able to join us for one or both of the town halls.
December 2022 - January 2023
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. They 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.
November 1, 2022
