Head of School Search

Dear Westerly Community,

We are delighted to announce that Rebecca Geary has been selected by the Board of Trustees as our next Head of School, effective July 1, 2023. From an initial pool of over twenty applicants, and a group of three exceptional finalists, Rebecca was chosen for her vast educational experience, unique balance of humility and vision, and demonstrated ability to build consensus in diverse learning communities.

Currently the Head of School at the Green Acres School in North Bethesda, Maryland, Rebecca has also previously served as an Executive Director, an Associate Director of Admissions, and as an Assistant Director of Studies. Rebecca has a Master’s degree in Education from Lesley University with an emphasis in Global Education and a Bachelor’s from The University of Maryland. A lifelong learner herself, Rebecca has also completed MBA coursework at Johns Hopkins and received a diploma in direct marketing from New York University. At each of the posts in her 22-year career in education, Rebecca has considered herself to be a learner and a listener in her approach to leadership. Her expertise ranges from strategic planning and curricular innovation to enrollment and fundraising. In short, she understands education, not just as it has been and where it is now, but how it needs to evolve to meet the global challenges our children will face in a rapidly changing world. While she has a national perspective, Rebecca’s roots are in Southern California, and she looks forward to returning.

Our search process began in December 2022 and was led by the Head of School Search Committee (chaired by Alex Jackson - Westerly Class of ‘03) and our partners at RG175, a nationally renowned search firm). These groups were guided by our Westerly mission and values, along with valuable input from all of our stakeholders. Using this and other feedback during their discernment, the Search Committee presented its recommendation to the Board for unanimous approval.

While Rebecca will officially become Head on July 1, she will begin working immediately with the Board and current school leaders to ensure a smooth transition. We are planning for her to visit our campus next month, and she is looking forward to attending our Totally 80’s Auction fundraiser when she’ll have a chance to meet more of you in person and begin getting to know our community.

We extend heartfelt thanks to the Search Committee, the Faculty/Staff, and all of you throughout the community whose participation ensured a thorough and thoughtful process.

Westerly is in a strong position right now — healthy admissions, talented and dedicated faculty/staff, supportive community — and we are thrilled about the future steps we’ll take together with Rebecca.

Sincerely,

Shalu Gupta M.D.

Board Chair, Westerly School of Long Beach

A Message from Rebecca Geary
I am honored and pleased to accept the Head of School position at the Westerly School of Long Beach. During my visit to the school, I could scarcely contain my excitement at what a dynamic and warm, welcoming community I found. From the students who led assembly, to the playful conversations at lunch and the engaged, creative students at work in their classrooms, I was impressed by the strong relationship between teachers and students. I was also moved by the number of students and families that reflect a diverse community, and the school's commitment to ensuring an inclusive, welcoming environment, evident throughout the campus.

Thank you to the search committee for your leadership, to the board, numerous staff and parents/guardians who participated in the process and shared what you value most about Westerly and its community.

The school’s approach to educating the whole child, and the emphasis I heard from families on attending to students’ social emotional health while instilling in them a passion to be lifelong learners resonated with me, especially as I observed the school’s values put into practice. I am eager to return for the Totally 80’s Auction in May and experience the Westerly community in action while supporting a great cause. I look forward to meeting folks and immersing myself in all that Westerly and Long Beach represents as I settle in my new home at the end of June. I can hardly wait!

In peace,

Rebecca

Dear Westerly Community,

As a reminder, we have our Head of School Candidate #3 visiting tomorrow, April 3.

Westerly parents, alumna families and community are invited to join us on campus to meet the candidate and ask questions tomorrow, April 3, 2023 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Nguyen Community Room. Students, Faculty and Staff will receive schedules separately.

Contact me at ajackson@westerlyschool.org with any questions. We look forward to seeing you on campus!

In partnership,

Alex Jackson, Class of 2003

Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Chair, Head of School Search Committee

ajackson@westerlyschool.org

Candidate #3: Rebecca Geary
Visiting Westerly on Monday, April 3, 2023

Only if you attended one of Rebecca Geary's meeting sessions on April 3, please complete a candidate feedback survey here by 5:00 p.m. on April 5, 2023.

Rebecca Geary is an experienced head of school, a former executive director, an associate director of admissions, assistant director of studies, a camp director, and a Spanish teacher. She is currently serving as Head of School at Green Acres School (PK-8 coeducational independent day school, 173 students) in North Bethesda, MD and before her current headship, she was the Executive Director of the Farm and Wilderness Ninevah Foundations in Plymouth, MA, the Associate Director of Admissions at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, MA, and a teacher at the Oak Bluffs School and Vineyard Montessori in Massachusetts.

Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Textile Marketing and a minor in Russian language. She retains a Direct Marketing Diploma from New York University, and a M.Ed. from Lesley University in Global Education/Multicultural Curricula (Sonia Nieto advisor). In addition, she has completed MBA Coursework at Johns Hopkins University, Carey Business School.

Rebecca spent her beginning elementary years in Los Angeles at Avalon Gardens Elementary School and considers herself a Southern California native. Through an early interest in languages, she studied Spanish, French, German, and then minored in Russian. Following those languages, Rebecca pursued a career in fashion marketing which enabled her to travel to many countries and throughout the world. With two young children at home, Rebecca shifted from fashion marketing to teaching at the neighborhood Martha’s Vineyard K-8 school.

Since her late 20s, Rebecca has been on school or nonprofit boards where she lends her enthusiasm for fundraising and advancement. She is currently on the executive board of The Putney School, a progressive high school in Vermont, and has served on that school’s Head Search Committee, the Head Transition Committee, and the Campaign Leadership Committee. Rebecca has also been active on the Windsor Central Supervisory School Board in Woodstock, VT, the Vermont (Plymouth) School Board, Two Rivers Supervisory Union in Ludlow, VT, the Cambridge Montessori School Development Committee, the Oak Bluffs School K-8 SAC School Advisory Committee, the Avon, MA Middle/High SAC School Advisory Committee, and the Focus Adoption Agency in Long Island, NY. In addition, Rebecca participates in professional development workshops, events and activities as a workshop leader, a trainer, and a presenter at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the American Camp Association (ACA), the National Association of Multicultural Educators (NAME), to name a few, and has been an active participant at the NAIS Aspiring Heads Fellowship and the NAIS New Heads Institute.

From crossing the Andes Mountains on a bicycle to commuting by bike, Rebecca enjoys outdoor activities and being in nature. She is a distance runner (the last marathon in 2018) and loves beach volleyball, petanque, and hiking. Rebecca is currently working on a multimedia project with her older daughter. Her dog, Frankie, joins her on the 20-mile bike tours and her 10-mile hikes in a backpack. Frankie is also good company when she is cooking her specialties like paella, gumbo, and matzoh ball soup for friends and family.

Rebecca’s professional colleagues view Rebecca as enthusiastic, fun, and creative. She is a leader who complements her collaborative approach with advocacy to hear everyone speak and a hope that a few voices do not silence the majority. She is known as a leader who “rolls up her sleeves and provides strong support and guidance to completion.”

Please join the Head of School Search Committee and the Board of Trustees in welcoming Rebecca Thomas Geary to Westerly School of Long Beach!

Westerly Head of School Search: Candidate #2

Dear Westerly Community,

Our first Head of School candidate visited campus on Monday, March 27, and as a reminder, we have two more Head of School candidates visiting tomorrow, March 31 and Monday, April 3.

Below are the key dates and times for the Westerly parents, alumna families and community to join us on campus to meet the candidates and ask questions. Students, Faculty and Staff will receive schedules separately.

Candidate #2: Friday, March 31, 2023, 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Nguyen Community Room

Candidate #3: Monday, April 3, 2023 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Nguyen Community Room

Contact me at ajackson@westerlyschool.org with any questions. We look forward to seeing you on campus!

In partnership,

Alex Jackson, Class of 2003

Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Chair, Head of School Search Committee

ajackson@westerlyschool.org

Candidate #2: Jason R. Gregory
Visiting Westerly on Friday, March 31, 2023

Only if you attended one of Jason Gregory's meeting sessions on March 31, please complete a candidate feedback survey here by 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2023.

Jason Gregory is an experienced assistant head of school, a former dean of school life, a vice-principal of academic programs, a director of counseling, and an experienced teacher and varsity/junior varsity coach. This is his 23rd year in independent schools. Jason is currently the Assistant Head of School at Vistamar School in El Segundo, CA where he has served since 2016. Prior to his service at Vistamar, he served at Sonoma Academy and Sage Hill School, other independent schools in California. His work at these three independent schools has given him opportunities to sit on senior administrative teams, work with admissions and financial aid processes, and various board committees, including Finance, Facilities, Marketing/Enrollment, Tuition and Development, while also participating in Strategic Planning and Capital Campaign committees. Jason has also served as an adjunct professor and taught psychology to college freshman at Concordia University.

Mr. Gregory received his B.A. in Physical Education (Kinesiology), minored in Spanish at Azusa Pacific University, and received his Master of Arts at Azusa Pacific University in School Counseling, Child Psychology, and Pupil Personnel Services. He completed the National Association of Independent Schools’ Fellowship for Aspiring Heads in 2013 and has authored papers and delivered at forums on Self-Harm and Troubling Youth to national and international audiences.

A recipient of Outstanding Teacher in the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2000, Jason was also the Captain and an All-American Athlete at Azusa Pacific University.

Jason is familiar with Westerly and its reputation. He has visited the school on occasion and even toured the school as a prospective parent for his three children. He reports this past year, Vistamar has benefited by the most applications from Westerly as students hope to matriculate at the high school, and he contends that “our two schools share very similar missions and culture.”

With his background in psychology, Jason’s leadership style is derived from his ability to connect with colleagues and co-workers and create a mutually beneficial rapport. Attention to detail is important to Jason, and his colleagues and supervisor report that his ability to motivate, encourage, and glean the best from anyone correlates with his established relationships and the trust he cultivates.

Jason, his life partner, Angela, and their three daughters live in Seal Beach along with their pandemic puppy, Charlie. Jason is an outdoor enthusiast, lover of the ocean and mountains, an avid reader, episodic marathoner, and recent pickle-ball adoptee.

In his closing letter to the Search Committee, Jason, articulates, “I want to reiterate that, in my humble opinion, there simply is no such thing as academic excellence without diversity of identity, experience, thought and perspective. Too, it simply is not enough to attract a community full of true diversity, if you aren’t willing to commit to supporting those differences by ensuring justice, equity, and inclusion are ongoing institutional practices. In accordance with the mission of Westerly School, all employees of the school would be expected to uphold and champion Westerly as a school that not only talks the DEI talk, but also walks the DEI walk. Westerly School is a compelling, fascinating school that seems like it would be a magnificent place to call home.”

Please join the Head of School Search Committee and the Board of Trustees in welcoming Jason Gregory to Westerly School of Long Beach!

Dear Westerly Community,

On behalf of the Search Committee and the Board of Trustees, I am excited to share an update on our Head of School Search.

We had 25 applicants submit their resumes, cover letters, and writing samples to be considered for the Head of School position (see the Head of School position statement here). We have selected three candidates as finalists to come visit our campus. The names and biographies of each candidate will be sent out to the entire community the day before their visit, as is standard procedure in a Head of School Search to maintain the integrity of the process.

Each candidate is coming to campus with classroom and leadership experience, as well as a strong connection to and belief in Westerly’s mission and values. Their on-campus visit is a large part of the interview process so your participation is crucial in making sure we have a well-rounded evaluation of the candidates, as well as the candidates’ evaluation of Westerly as their next potential home.

Below are the key dates and times for the Westerly parents, alumna families and community to join us on campus to meet the candidates and ask questions. Students, Faculty and Staff will receive schedules separately.

Candidate #1: Monday, March 27, 2023, 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Nguyen Community Room

Candidate #2: Friday, March 31, 2023, 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Nguyen Community Room

Candidate #3: Monday, April 3, 2023 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Nguyen Community Room

Contact me at ajackson@westerlyschool.org with any questions. We look forward to seeing you on campus!

In partnership,

Alex Jackson, Class of 2003

Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Chair, Head of School Search Committee

ajackson@westerlyschool.org

Candidate #1: Johanna Aeschliman
Visiting Westerly on Monday, March 27, 2023

Only if you attended one of Johanna Aeschliman's meeting sessions on March 27, please complete a candidate feedback survey here by 5:00 p.m. on March 29, 2023.

Johanna Aeschliman is an experienced independent school administrator, and she has served successfully as an academic dean, dean of students, director of teacher training, and classroom teacher. Johanna is currently the Lower School Director at Redwood Day School (K-8 independent day school, 400+ students) in Oakland, CA where she leads the day-to-day operations for 250 students in kindergarten through grade 5. She is a non-voting member of the school’s Board of Trustees and serves on the Board’s Strategic Planning, CAIS Self-Study and Accreditation committees, the Finance Committee, and on the Covid-19 Task Force. Johanna oversees the design, analysis, and coordination of all aspects of the K-5 curriculum and is responsible for the recruitment, hiring, support, supervision and evaluation of 45 faculty, staff, and teaching assistants at her school.

Prior to work at Redwood Day, Johanna worked as the Head of the Middle School at Brooklyn Heights Montessori School and in the leadership team at The Chestnut Hill School in Newton, MA where she began as an elementary teacher and eventually became the Dean of Students. Johanna began her career in the District of Columbia Public Schools, teaching third and fourth grades.

Johanna is a graduate of Howard University, with a B.S. in Psychology and a M.A.T. in Curriculum and Instruction. She earned a M.Ed. from Lesley University in 1998. Johanna came to independent schools through the Collegiate School Teaching Institute (an organization that recruited teachers of color in independent schools) which she eventually led. Johanna was awarded and recently completed a one-year fellowship in the National Association of Independent School’s (NAIS) Aspiring Heads Program.

A transracial adoptee, Johanna grew up in Cambridge, MA. Today, Johanna lives in Oakland with her partner, Dominque Day (an attorney who works on racial justice globally), her daughter, Camryn, who is seventeen years old and a senior at Bishop O’Dowd High School, and their mini black poodle, Brooklyn. Although Camryn expects to start college next year, the entire family is excited to join a school community where social justice and educating the whole child are at the core of community values.

Johanna is also a huge WNBA fan and she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and being on the water. She is a passionate beachcomber on any beach she encounters. A lifelong learner, Johanna is currently reading Disability Visibility, powerful intersectional first-person narratives of varied lived experiences, edited by Alice Wong. Johanna serves on the Board of Directors of Northern California People of Color in Independent Schools as Program Chair and serves on the Board of Directors for the Howard University Bay Area Alumni Association as Treasurer.

Johanna’s professional colleagues view Johanna as an experienced consensus-driven, collaborative leader and trusted administrator. At the core of Johanna’s beliefs as an educator are thoughtful and reflective team building with the visibility of being in the classrooms, partnering with faculty, hosting assemblies, maintaining an open-door policy, and engaging in every aspect of the school community. In addition, she firmly believes that “Creating a safe community in which all members have a voice and feel respected is the only place a child can grow to reach fullest potential.”

Please join the Head of School Search Committee and the Board of Trustees in welcoming Johanna Aeschliman to Westerly School of Long Beach!

Hello Westerly Community,

Thank you all for your participation in the onsite visit in January from Doreen Oleson, our Head of School Search Consultant from search firm RG175, and for completing the community survey. It is no surprise that Doreen was extremely impressed and inspired by our entire community, including the students, parents, faculty and staff, curriculum, and energy and passion for our school's mission.

Applications have been submitted and three finalists will be selected by the end of March. Please save the following dates for the three finalists on-campus visits as you will be invited to meet with them:

March 27

April 3

April 18

As a reminder, you can reach me at ajackson@westerlyschool.org with any questions.

Thank you again for your care and support of the future of Westerly,

Alex Jackson, Class of 2003

Board of Trustees Vice Chair

Search Committee Chair

ajackson@westerlyschool.org

Dear Westerly School Community,

This is a follow-up message to the update shared last week by Alex Jackson ‘03, our Westerly Head of School Search Committee Chair, Board Vice Chair and Board Chair-Elect for 2023-2026).

Your participation is requested this week as we begin the search for our new Westerly Head of School.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SURVEY To ensure every voice in the Westerly community is heard, a brief community survey is open now for your completion until January 23 -- please take the survey. Survey responses are anonymous and confidential.

PARENT MEETINGS THIS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY – Current and former parents will have an opportunity to meet with Doreen from RG175 (the firm Westerly is partnering with for the Head of School search) on Wednesday, January 18 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. and/or Thursday, January 19 from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. for coffee at Westerly School. Your input and participation will be highly valued and much appreciated. If you cannot come in person, please join us online via Zoom Meeting.

If you have questions or thoughts about the search process, please do not hesitate to contact committee chair, Alex Jackson ajacksoc@gmail.com or you can email the search consultant, Doreen Oleson (doreenoleson@gmail.com) directly.

We look forward to your engagement as we search for our next leader who will bring an ever-lengthening era of success for Westerly.

In partnership,

Westerly School

Dear Westerly School Community:

We are pleased to share important information with you regarding the search for Westerly’s next Head of School to succeed Dr. Lauren Plant, who will be ending her tenure in July 2023.

Earlier this year, Westerly’s Board of Trustees formed a Search Committee to guide and oversee the search process. We are honored to introduce the committee members (all current Trustees) to you:

SEARCH COMMITTEE

• Alex Jackson ‘03, Committee Chair, Board Vice Chair and Board Chair-Elect for 2023-2026
• Dr. Shalu Gupta, current Board Chair and 8th grade parent
• Dr. Cindy Chun, Head of School at Peninsula Heritage School
• Michael Hagen, current 6th grade parent
• Bryonna Fisco, current 3rd and 7th grade parent
• Angana Pathak, current 2nd and 4th grade parent

SEARCH FIRM SELECTION

The committee identified four executive search firms and interviewed and evaluated each of them. Last month, the committee announced that it had selected Resource Group 175 (RG175), led by Doreen Oleson, an esteemed former head of school and member of the WASC Accreditation committee. The committee attributed their decision to RG175’s nimble and responsive process, strong teamwork model, pronounced interpersonal skills, and commitment to understanding Westerly’s culture, needs, and aspirations. Doreen brings experience in Independent School searches, has a deep background in school headship, vibrant professional networks, and broad access to competitive, compelling, and diverse candidates.

SEARCH FIRM VISIT 1/18/23-1/19/23 – PARTICIPATION REQUESTED

Doreen from RG175 will be on the Westerly campus on Wednesday, January 18th and Thursday January 19th in an intense effort to meet and interview administrators, faculty, staff, students, and parents through conversations, formal and informal interactions, and a community wide-survey. There are designated times for each group to interact with her and we hope you will take advantage of this! Your input and participation will be highly valued and much appreciated. Information gleaned will give our search consultant a first-hand understanding of the culture, school operations, opportunities and challenges to inform their national search and develop a School Position Statement for our new Head of School.

PARENT MEETINGS 1/18/23 and 1/19/23

Current and former parents will have an opportunity to meet with Doreen on January 18th from 4:00-5:00pm and/or January 19th from 8:00am-9:00am for coffee in the Nguyen Community Room. If you cannot come in person, please join us online via Zoom Meeting (link to be sent the day of).

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SURVEY

To ensure every voice in the Westerly community is heard, a brief community survey will be sent out and open from January 17th through January 23rd. The survey will focus on what school needs and opportunities will greet the new Head of School, as well as gathering opinions on the skills and attributes most needed in Westerly’s next leader. Survey responses are anonymous and confidential, and input is sent directly to Doreen.

Through the survey, the team’s campus visits, and discussions with the Board of Trustees, Doreen will develop a deep base of knowledge that will inform her efforts to promote and communicate this leadership opportunity to candidates worldwide. A survey link will be sent to the community on Tuesday, January 17th.

SEARCH PROCESS

We are striving to keep our search calendar flexible. We will adhere to the timeline that best produces superior candidates. Our preliminary intent is to identify semi-finalists by late February and to be in a position to present our recommendation for the next Head of School to the Board by April 2023. We welcome your nominations between now and early February.

We will send periodic updates to you as the search process unfolds, and will soon add a special Head of School Search section to the Westerly School website. If you have questions or thoughts about the search process, please do not hesitate to contact committee chair, Alex Jackson ajacksoc@gmail.com or any member of the committee, or you can email the search consultant, Doreen Oleson (doreenoleson@gmail.com) directly. In true Westerly fashion, this endeavor will be enhanced by your involvement and collaboration, and we thank you in advance for your input.

We look forward to your engagement as we search for our next leader who will bring an ever-lengthening era of success for Westerly.

In Partnership,

Alex Jackson, Class of 2003

Search Committee Chair

Board of Trustees Vice Chair

Board of Trustees Chair-Elect

ajacksoc@gmail.com

Dear Westerly Community,

I am writing to update you on an important transition at Westerly. One of the fundamental roles of the Westerly Board of Trustees is to hire, support, and manage the Head of School to ensure they are executing on the Board designated mission, vision, and strategic priorities of the school.  We would like to share with you that Dr. Lauren Plant has informed us that the 2022-23 school year will be the final year of her five-year tenure at Westerly. We hope that you will join us in wishing Dr. Plant success as she takes on the role of Head of School at Sinai Akiba Academy in Los Angeles at the end of this academic year.

Dr. Plant’s tenure is notable for having us get through the COVID-19 pandemic and her dedication to Westerly’s vision of being a diverse community, one in which every member truly feels a sense of belonging. Westerly is fortunate to be supported by a highly engaged Board of Trustees, a steadfast administrative team, talented faculty and staff, and a dynamic group of students and parents to ensure continuation of the robust Westerly experience as we coordinate with Dr. Plant on a successful and stable transition over the coming months.

Change is uneasy, but is also vital and exciting. As a community, we have every reason to look ahead with optimism, confident in Westerly’s bright future under new leadership. As we approach the 30th year of our School’s history, we imagine a leader who will, with trust and integrity, connect with our community and Westerly’s mission, vision, and values. Our next leader will continue to execute on Board-designated strategic initiatives, including advancing our School through growth and development, supporting our extraordinary faculty and staff to deliver our “whole child” educational philosophy at the highest level, and carrying forward our DEIJB vision with humility, authenticity, and strength.

The Board of Trustees has appointed a Search Committee, chaired by Vice Chair Alex Jackson. Members of the Committee include Dr. Shalu Gupta, Dr. Cindy Chun, Bryonna Fisco, Angana Pathak, and Michael Hagen. We are committed to a process shaped by and inclusive of the many voices in our community, and we are proud to be partnering with leading Independent School executive search firm RG175.  We look forward to sharing information and updates about the search with you soon and to engaging our entire community as we work to select a new Head of School for Westerly to lead us into our next decade.

In Partnership,

Shalu Gupta MD

Board Chair

Dear Members of the Westerly Community,

I am writing today with a mix of emotions to inform you all of my recent decision to accept the position as Head of School at the Sinai Akiba Academy in Los Angeles beginning on July 1 of 2023. My decision was not made lightly as Westerly has been my professional “home” for the past nearly 5 years. Stewarding Westerly has been and continues to be one of the great joys of my life and this decision is made only more difficult for all that this community has brought to me and to my children.

In reflecting on these past 4 1/2 years, I remain so proud and fortunate to have borne witness to the growth and innovation present in every classroom and learning space, and educational interaction I encounter. Westerly’s success in “surviving” COVID, growing our enrollment, sustaining focus and commitment to DEIJB, and developing our pedagogies and programs and community-wide connections are beyond impressive.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the steadfast leadership of the Westerly Community including the parents, faculty, staff and dedicated Board of Trustees. I am so indebted to all in receipt of this note and stand ready to take Westerly into 2023 and support our wonderful school in all ways as we engage in the upcoming transition of leadership.

Respectfully,

Dr. Lauren Plant

Head of School