EDUCATIONAL DIRECTIONS - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Partner / Head of School Search, Organizational Development, Governance

Amy most recently served as the Interim Rector (Head of School) for St. Paul's School, NH for the 2018 - 2019 school year. This was after 14 years as head of school at Crystal Springs Uplands School, CA. Amy earned both her undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of New Hampshire in science and mathematics. She was a member of the mathematics faculty at St. Paul's from 1984 to 1994. After her first stint at St. Paul's, Amy served as dean of students at Riverdale Country School, NY, and then as the head of the upper school at The Spence School, NY. She is a member of the Headmasters Association and is a former member of the board at the Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School, the Sea Crest School, the California Teachers Development Collaborative, the California Association of Independent Schools' Board of Standards for Secondary Schools, and the Independent School magazine editorial board. She and her husband Frank live in Portland, OR.

Job Titles:

• Co - Founder
• Senior Partner
• Senior Partner / Head of School Search

Chris Arnold is the co-founder of Educational Directions. Schooled in the classics (Diploma, Roxbury Latin School, Boston, MA; B.A. with honors, Brown University; and M.A., Trinity College, Chris has taught Latin, ancient Greek, philosophy, history, and English; coached lacrosse, wrestling, and football; and held a variety of independent school administrative positions. Chris launched his independent school career of more than two decades as teacher, coach, and dorm parent at the Pomfret School, CT. Following this, he served as admissions officer, class dean, and department chair-in addition to teaching and coaching-at Noble and Greenough School, MA. Subsequently, he received an appointment as visiting scholar at the Lakeside School in Seattle, WA. He completed his career in schools as a Principal at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City, whose PS - 12 curriculum enrolls over 900 students. Chris is a past trustee of Cate School, CA, and the Peddie School, NJ. Within his community, he has served as a trustee of the Community Preparatory School in Providence and the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum in New Bedford. He is a past trustee and Board Chair of Alma del Mar Charter School in New Bedford.

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Partner / Head of School Search, Senior Administrator Search, Organizational Development, Governance

John Watson has worked with independent schools in governance, leadership development and executive searches through Educational Directions, Inc. since 2017. John was Head of School at Seacrest Country Day School (FL) from 2012-2017, and at West Nottingham Academy (MD), a boarding and day school founded in 1744 from 2002-2012. John holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Northern Michigan University, and an MA and PhD in Music Composition and Theory from the University of Minnesota. During his thirteen years in the Twin Cities, John was an active composer and conductor as well as an educator. John began his independent school career at Breck School (MN), an independent Episcopal PK-12 school as co-chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. From 1992-2002 John served as Assistant Head and Academic Dean in three boarding schools; Darrow School (NY), Peddie School (NJ) and Cheshire Academy (CT). John employed a shared leadership style during fifteen years as a head of school at both Seacrest and West Nottingham, empowering the community to strive for clarity and innovation by engaging faculty, students, parents and trustees in deep, mission-centered exploration of programs. John believes that as a head of school, the most important role one fulfills is to help a school to embody its mission to the fullest, and that while change is inevitable, change driven by mission is the most likely to flourish and endure. John served for six years on the Association of Maryland and DC Independent Schools Board of Directors, and on several regional arts boards over the years. John and his wife, Bonnie, live in Brentwood, TN, ND have three children and five grandchildren in Brentwood, Los Angeles and Seattle.

Job Titles:

• Partner / Head of School Search, Organizational Development, Governance

Dan's leadership is rooted in connecting people, purpose, practice, and passion. He is adept at managing the challenges and opportunities of independent schools, including administrative searches, strategic planning, collaborative leadership, Board development, community engagement, and capital campaigns. Dan puts the needs of children at the center of his practice and has led school accreditation team site visits. He is an excellent listener and astute observer. Within independent schools, Dan served as a Head of School at Blue Oak School in Napa CA and Baker Demonstration School in Wilmette IL. After working as a ship-fitter in a naval yard, Dan began his educational journey teaching history in public schools in Boston and Brookline, MA. Following a stint as Director of Education at the USS Constitution Museum, Dan served as Principal of the Carleton Washburne Middle School in Winnetka IL. Dan practices leadership development. He has taught leadership courses as a founder and co-Director of the National Institute of Progressive Education and as an Adjunct Professor at National Louis University. He has served on educational organization Boards and publishes articles in educational journals. Dan has given presentations at CAIS, NAIS, ISACS, ASCD, AERA, Progressive Education Network, North Dakota Study Group, International Network of Principals' Centers. Dan holds a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and two M.Eds. (Lesley University and National Louis University). He is certified as a Superintendent in Illinois. Based in Napa CA, Dan loves exploring the outdoors, woodworking, photography and traveling to visit friends, family, and grandchildren!

Job Titles:

• Managing Partner
• Managing Partner / Head of School Search

Jerry Larson began his independent school career at Phillips Exeter Academy, NH, and after time at the collegiate level, went to Tabor Academy, MA, where he wore a number of administrative hats in addition to being a faculty member and coach - Residential Dean, Development Officer, Director of Athletics. He headed Cheshire Academy, CT, a coed boarding/day school, during two different periods. His accomplishments included: refining the school's mission and program to be student centered, enhancing the physical facilities and increasing enrollment by more than 40%. Jerry earned his B.S. from the University of New Hampshire, his M.B.A. from New Hampshire College and his Ed.D. from Boston University. He continually avails himself of opportunities to further his knowledge about leadership and organizational systems and is accredited by Hay Group Consulting, Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management, The Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara, Linkage, Inc., Multi-Health Systems, Inc. and Vistage International, Inc. Interested in broadening his educational experience into the international sector, Jerry spent two years as Director of Education & Student Care for ASPIRE Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha, Qatar.

Job Titles:

• Partner / Head of School Search, Senior Administrator Search

Jay is a career independent school student, teacher, and leader. He served as the head of three schools in 17 years: Rio Grande School in Santa Fe, High Meadows School in Atlanta, and George Jackson Academy in New York City. Prior to becoming a head, Jay spent eleven years as the director of curriculum and a middle school humanities teacher at Far Hills Country Day School in New Jersey. Jay has been active in the greater independent school world throughout his career. He has served on several boards, including the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS). He has extensive accreditation experience, having led 18 visiting teams at schools across the country. He has written and presented prolifically, and has advised boards and heads on topics ranging from equity to best practices in governance and leadership. Jay holds a B.A. in English from Guilford College and a Master's in Educational Administration from Rutgers University. In 2017, he was awarded a fellowship to the Klingenstein Center's Heads of Schools Program at Teachers College Columbia University. Along with spending time with his wife and daughters, Jay is an avid fan of live music and theater, and he's always in search of a good fishing hole.

Job Titles:

• Officer
• Partner

With undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education and Business Administration and a Masters in Management, Linda has a breadth of experience working in various types of organizations. She began her career working for the Maine Department of Human Resources as a financial social worker. She has taught in the public school system in the adult education program and later at the elementary level. Seeking broader horizons, Linda became an officer in the U.S Navy where she served in various capacities, stateside and abroad, for 16 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Versed in speaking French, Spanish and Dutch, in directing naval ships in Spain that were in danger of grounding when a hurricane threatened, in getting 700 40-foot containers to their destination when a commercial ocean carrier company went bankrupt, Linda more than ably manages all aspects of Educational Directions' search reports, The Blue Sheet and The Green Sheet. In her free time, Linda is a Credentialed Tax Expert for Intuit and an Enrolled Agent for the IRS!

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Partner / Catholic School Practice Leader / Head of School Search, Organizational Development, Governance

Job Titles:

• Partner / Senior Administrator Search

Meera Shah brings to Educational Directions her experience as an independent school academic leader as well as a consultant. Trained in Biomedical Engineering (Sc.B., Brown University), Meera quickly realized she was more excited about having an impact in the classroom than at the lab bench and began her career in independent schools-and hasn't looked back since, having been a community member and educator at boarding, day, co-ed, single-gender, 6-12, pK-12 schools, face-to-face, and online schools as well as a consultant to a variety of independent schools and regional associations. After a decade of wearing all the typical independent school hats (teacher, advisor, coach, grade dean, on-campus faculty, etc.) at Dana Hall School (MA), she studied Learning & Teaching with a focus on leadership (Ed.M., Harvard Graduate School of Education), subsequently serving as a department head at Beaver Country Day School (MA). Meera brought her passion for faculty development and administrative leadership south to serve as the academic dean and then associate head for teaching and learning at Carolina Day School (NC). Afterward, as the director of studies at One Schoolhouse (DC), Meera discovered her excitement for working with-and in service to-a variety of schools, which led her to found Trey Education to provide responsive, relationship-based consulting for independent schools and academic leaders across the country. Meera's approach to search work combines her beliefs in the centrality of relationships with the value of well-designed systems. With Educational Directions, Meera partners with schools on senior administrative searches where the focus is on strategic improvement and leadership that makes a difference. Meera lives in Asheville (NC) with her wife and two kids (twins!), and enjoys spending time with her family.

Job Titles:

• Partner / Head of School Search, Organizational Development, Governance

Mike recently completed a 44-year career in independent and international school education. He served 8 years in the role of Headmaster at Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia and most recently 15 years as Head of School at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mike transitioned from head of school work to consulting in 2020. He has worked with schools in Illinois, New York, Georgia, Florida and Texas. Mike has developed a knowledge and respect for the importance of the Head of School and Board partnership and relationship, often consulting with his peers in the southeast. Mike served on the boards of The Southern Association of Independent Schools and The Florida Council of Independent Schools. During that time, he developed an expertise in accreditation and has served over 100 schools during his career. In the fall of 2023, Mike will lead board retreats for four independent schools. Mike is an active volunteer with the Severn Leadership Group (SLG) which is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. During his four years with SLG, he has become a mentor, Program Manager and EQi-2.0 coach. In addition, Mike serves on the board of The Vanguard School, a grade 7-12 boarding school in Lake Wales, Florida. Mike is a graduate of the University of Dayton, OH, with a master's degree from Miami University. In 2017, Mike was a member of the Head's Cohort at the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University. He continues to live in St. Petersburg, FL.

Job Titles:

• Partner / Head of School Search, Senior Administrator Search

Nicole McDermott (she/her) is an independent school leader, educator, facilitator, and certified leadership coach with 20+ years of experience. She values choosing courage over comfort, leading with transparency and vulnerability, building a nurturing community and connection, attending to the details, and showing up with curiosity. For eighteen years, she led an award-winning Northern Virginia independent school (2005 - 2023) and now brings this experience and her values and skills to Educational Directions to meet schools where they are, assisting and empowering them to reach their next level. Nicole's professional areas of expertise include maintaining integrity while leading through change, building community within organizations and trust within teams, working through conflict between stakeholders, shifting climate and culture, coaching and staying curious, mentoring young adults, and educating the whole child. During her headship of a small school, she did everything from open a new building and manage a large-scale construction project, achieve accreditation status, expand the school's grade and extended care offerings, and navigate a global pandemic (plus maintain the enrollment growth that unexpectedly came with it) to read to preschoolers and kindergartners, run drop-off and dismissal each day, and advise the school's Kiwanis K-Kids community service and leadership development club for second through sixth graders. Before becoming a school leader, she taught kindergarten, second grade, and third grade in independent and private school settings. Nicole holds a B.S. in elementary education from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, and a M.Ed. in education leadership from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Nicole was selected via an application process to be part of the inaugural (and, to date, only) cohort of Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitators in 2019, which included being trained directly by Brené Brown to facilitate curriculum based on her work, research, and best-selling book. Nicole integrated this work into the independent school she led for eighteen years with the administrative team, faculty, students, and families. Nicole is also a certified leadership / executive coach after being trained at the Center for the Advancement of Well-being at George Mason University; she is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional at the ACC level. Additionally, Nicole is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, trained to help individuals and teams grow from and set goals around their CliftonStrengths assessments, as well as a Certified Practitioner of the EQ-i 2.0 + EQ 360 emotional intelligence assessment tools. Through her company, Quality Matters, Nicole co-creates brave spaces with schools, boards, non-profits, organizations, and leaders in group or 1:1 settings to encourage professional and personal growth through coaching, consulting, facilitating, building courage through Brené Brown's Dare to Lead™ curriculum, and training on a variety of topics. A longtime member of Kiwanis International (beginning first with Key Club in high school), Nicole is a volunteer in her community and has worked with and managed volunteer teams delivering leadership content to teenagers. She is directly responsible for the logistics of an annual educational conference serving thousands of high school students and their faculty advisors. Nicole meditates and practices mindfulness every day, considers herself an emergent runner, donates blood regularly (O+), and listens to podcasts at 2x speed. In addition to volunteering through Kiwanis, she spends her free time reading, walking, writing, traveling, being near the water whenever possible, seeing musicals, following The Eras Tour, staying connected with people she loves, and supporting causes that are important to her. While Nicole grew up in Massachusetts, she has lived outside of Washington D.C., in Northern Virginia, for more than 20 years. With gratitude, respect, and awareness, Nicole acknowledges that she currently lives on the land of the Piscataway people. She is committed to showing up as a learner and listener in the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging space and to standing against racism, hate, and injustice.

Job Titles:

• Partner

Renata Rafferty came to the independent school world after a successful thirty-year career leading an international consulting firm specializing in services to charitable institutions, foundations, and philanthropic families. Following a sabbatical in China teaching at a major university in Guangdong Province, she returned to head two prominent Catholic high schools, Magnificat in Cleveland, Ohio, and Saint Gertrude in Richmond, Virginia. She has also served as an interim private school leader. A graduate of Mother Theodore Guerin High School in Chicago, she completed her B.A. in Theatre History at Loyola University of Chicago & Rome, Italy; a Fulbright residency in Philology at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland; and her M.A. in Dramatic Theory & Criticism at Tufts University in Boston. She is the author of two best-selling books in the field of philanthropy (with forewords by Paul Newman), was the nation's only syndicated columnist on the business of charity (for Gannett), and has been a popular speaker in both the philanthropy and education sectors. Having lived, worked, and traveled all over the globe, Renata continues to indulge her wanderlust with frequent trips to far-off lands, but returns most often to Poland where her extensive family resides, and to China, the country she calls her second home.

Job Titles:

• Partner
• for Senior Administrator Searches

With a BA in Japanese Studies and a Masters in Asia Pacific Studies augmenting her bilingualism, Risa's career has led to various teaching and administrative positions in the educational world at institutions such as Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy (CA), Marin Academy (CA) and most recently San Domenico School (CA). At San Domenico, Risa began as an instructor of Japanese language before moving into the Associate Director of Admissions position. She then took over the admissions for the high school as well as for all international students. Her signature programs at the school were known for attention to the individual prospective students and their families, and for involving currently enrolled families and students in the process. As Director of International Student Relations, a position proposed by Risa to focus on the needs of international families, Risa collaborated with members of the College Counseling, Development and ESL departments to ensure that those families felt well-served by the school and part of the school community. A professional dancer prior to entering the educational field, Risa also started a dance program as a component of the Theatre Arts department at San Domenico.

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Senior Consultant
• Partner / Head of School Search, Senior Administrator Search

As the son of a faculty member at Holderness School (NH), Sam's future, one might say, was predetermined! How could he not be destined for a career as an independent school leader! He is most happy when immersed in understanding the rhythms of each school's unique culture, be it in the classrooms, dining halls or athletic fields.

Job Titles:

• of Counsel / Head of School Search, Governance

Susan Seyfarth Lovejoy began her career in independent schools as Director of Admissions at Hathaway Brown School (OH), where she also taught, coached, served as an advisor, and coordinated the school's financial assistance program. After several part-time positions in development and as a teacher at several schools and non-profit organizations, Susan became co-owner of Educator's Ally (NY), a placement service for independent schools in the Northeast. After a family move to Chicago, Susan joined the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) as Coordinator of Accreditation Services. She also served as a consultant to several schools in the areas of governance and personnel best practices. An experienced non-profit board member, Susan chaired the Board of Trustees of the Catherine Cook School (IL) for eight years and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board at St. Michael's Country Day School (RI), where she recently coordinated the search for head of school. A graduate of Milton Academy, Susan earned her B.A. in Government from Smith College, and holds an M.A. degree in Human Services from John Carroll University. Susan resides in Southern Rhode Island and enjoys golf, kayaking, hiking, travel and all activities with her grandson and his parents.