Kudos to Landon -- Hiring a Woman As Middle School Head

[Anonymous]

I've gotten the sense that Landon has really been trying to change things the past few years, and I'm impressed that they've hired a woman as their Middle School Head. And not to undersell the new MS Head in just focusing on her being a woman -- she started at GDS in this area, had an admin post at a top DC Charter (Thurgood Marshall Academy), and most recently was an Upper School Dean at a good NY private school, Friends Seminary.

I'm at a different school, so I won't be in a position to see how it goes, but I'm impressed by the move and I wish the new MS Head the best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Here's a link to Landon's news item on the hire:

http://www.landon.net/cf_news/view.cfm?newsid=1182

[Anonymous]

Impressive. Does anyone know anything about her personal life? Married? Kids? Where grew up? Brothers? Personality?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Impressive. Does anyone know anything about her personal life? Married? Kids? Where grew up? Brothers? Personality?

It isn't impressive to hire a qualified woman. Maybe it's progress for this particular school but its decades behind many other schools and career fields. And I don't think we'd be as interested in the personal life of a man.

[Anonymous]

FWIW My niece and nephew attend Friends Seminary Upper School in NYC and both have very positive things to say about her as do my brother and sister-in-law.

[Anonymous]

This school looks for every opportunity to pat itself on the back.

[Anonymous]

I think the OP's point was that for Landon, an all-boys school with a history of, ummmm, extreme maleness stuff, it's a big step to appoint a female head at the middle school level.

[Anonymous]

A much needed change. Congrats and best wishes to the new MS Head. Landon has sorely needed a fresh perspective and actual leadership within the MS and this is a great step.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This school looks for every opportunity to pat itself on the back.

I posted the original item and I'm a teacher at another independent school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Impressive. Does anyone know anything about her personal life? Married? Kids? Where grew up? Brothers? Personality?

I don't think it's appropriate to try to draw out those sorts of largely non-public details, and agree people may be more inclined to ask when it's a woman. I do know she was the starting goalie for the Harvard women's varsity soccer team, so she'll have good coaching bona fides if she does some soccer coaching at Landon.

[Anonymous]

Knew her during her GDS days. Smart, intellectually curious, tough, and has a great sense of humor. Likes new challenges. Good pick by Landon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the OP's point was that for Landon, an all-boys school with a history of, ummmm, extreme maleness stuff, it's a big step to appoint a female head at the middle school level.

+1

[Anonymous]

Couldn't be happier. There are great women edcuators at Landon and it is terrific to see another one joining their ranks.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure there are some disappointed internal candidates ...

[Anonymous]

The MS needs completely new leadership. It was wise to hire from the outside .