Dear Proctor Community,
As I begin my first year as Proctor’s Head of School, I want to express how deeply grateful I am to be joining this community. From my very first conversation with the Head of School Search Committee, I sensed something truly remarkable: a school solidly grounded in its purpose. Proctor knows who it is, with a clarity of mission and values that is rare among independent schools. I chose to come to Proctor because I believe this community understands the power of relationships, the importance of meeting students where they are, and the impact of learning by doing. This is a school that leans into human connection and isn’t afraid to do things differently. These are the qualities that define the kind of school I want to lead.
As I’ve walked the campus and the trails and listened to stories from the professional community, students, alumni, and parents, I have only grown more confident in the strength, spirit, and authenticity of this place. Proctor is grounded in meaningful relationships and a shared commitment to doing the work that matters with our students. The loyalty people feel toward this school is unlike anything I’ve seen in my more than two decades in education. It is a community that welcomes you wholeheartedly, and then invites you to roll up your sleeves and get to work. I am excited to do just that.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be entering into a community that is already so strong. Our bold strategic plan is being carried out with energy and purpose, the Board of Trustees is engaged, and we just completed a near record-breaking fundraising year. Our enrollment is robust and healthy, reflecting the demand for the Proctor experience. Our inspiring professional community is hard at work preparing to welcome 386 students, including 115 new students, and their families to campus in a few short weeks. Proctor is moving forward with a momentum that is contagious. I felt it upon arrival on campus in July, and feel honored to steward it into the future.
My focus for the coming year is to deeply understand our people, culture, and systems by listening and observing closely. Together, we will build on the essential work of strengthening our foundation and furthering the impact we have on students. This includes continuing to lead in our understanding and application of best practices around neurodiversity, while positioning Proctor at the forefront of student wellness and supporting young people in every area of their lives. We will also turn our attention to planning for our next capital campaign, one that will help ensure Proctor continues to be the very best place for our students and professional community to live and learn alongside each other. This work will require us to clarify our shared vision and engage our community around what’s possible. We will do all of this while honoring what has made Proctor beloved for generations: its genuine spirit, its care for each student, and its belief that school should be as dynamic and joyful as the lives our graduates go on to lead.
Thank you for welcoming Jimmy and me so warmly. We are excited to call this remarkable place home.
With gratitude,
Amy Bonnefond Smucker
Head of School
Read more about Proctor Academy's New Head of School Amy Bonnefond Smucker
- Head of School
- Leadership