After an extensive search alongside partner Spencer Stuart, Proctor Academy’s Board of Trustees announces Amy Bonnefond Smucker as Proctor’s next Head of School. A veteran administrator, coach, and educator in New England independent schools, Amy stood out among a remarkable pool of candidates for her understanding of the unique role of boarding schools in shaping the lives of their students and employees, her deep commitment to stewarding and sustaining school communities, and her proven ability to develop strategies that will allow for the future sustainability of Proctor’s educational model.
Amy currently serves as the Assistant Head of School for External Affairs at Berwick Academy in South Berwick, Maine where she sits on the senior leadership team, co-teaches a leadership class to eighth graders, and directly leads the admission, communications, marketing, and advancement teams. For the past twelve years, her evolution as a leader at Berwick has included a complete rebranding initiative, innovative enrollment strategies to diversify the student body, deep engagement with the parent and alumni communities, partnering with a talented leadership team to innovate Berwick’s curriculum, and increasing giving, alumni engagement, and admissions inquiries. Prior to her role at Berwick, Amy worked at Kents Hill School for twelve years, starting as a teacher, admissions associate, dorm parent, girls varsity hockey coach, and advisor, before evolving into the role of Director of Admissions. During her time overseeing admissions at Kents Hill, she helped redesign the school’s enrollment and engagement strategy, while continuing to serve as an advisor and dorm parent.
A product of boarding schools herself, Amy grew up on three different boarding school campuses, including Kents Hill School where her father, Rist Bonnefond, served as Head of School for over 20 years and her mother, Joy, taught art and tutored in the learning skills center. A graduate of Loomis Chaffee School and Colby College, where she captained the women’s varsity ice hockey team, Amy earned a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University. In addition to her work at Berwick Academy, Amy has served as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of ISANNE (now AISNE - Association of Independent Schools of New England), a Faculty Member of CASE SAI (Council for Advancement of Schools and Education School Advancement Institute), and is a member of the Board of Directors of the David Krempels Brain Injury Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of individuals impacted by acquired traumatic brain injuries. Amy spent her summers as a camper at Camp Wyonegonic in Denmark, Maine, and stayed on as a counselor throughout college. Joining Amy on campus is her husband, Jimmy, a lifelong educator who served as Athletic Director and football, basketball, and baseball coach at Kents Hill School, and currently teaches math and coaches baseball at Berwick Academy, and their two dogs, Moxie and Wookiee.
President of the Board of Trustees Travis Warren ‘91, P’18, ‘19, ‘23 notes, “Amy emerged from an exceptional pool of candidates with her extensive administrative experience and her steadfast commitment to cultivating a strong, connected community. Her deep commitment to the power of boarding school education and experience in and love for Northern New England, makes her the ideal leader to guide Proctor into its next chapter.”
Search Committee Chair Kate Krehbiel, P’23, ‘25, ‘27 adds, “On behalf of the Search Committee, I am thrilled to welcome Amy to the Proctor community. She is a dynamic leader whose warmth and thoughtfulness clearly stood out as the ideal next Head for our school. Driven by strong values and a deep commitment to residential schools, including students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni, Amy is ready to roll up her sleeves and steward Proctor towards an even brighter future. Her deep appreciation for the uniqueness of Proctor - the community culture, experiential learning, the outdoors, arts, athletics and learning skills - made the Search Committee’s choice even clearer”
Interim Head of School Steve Wilkins notes, "I am thrilled with the appointment of Amy as Proctor's next Head of School. Having re-immersed myself in the Proctor community of 2024, I am confident the Search Committee and Board of Trustees have identified the perfect person and skill set to help move our school into its next chapter. I cannot wait to support Amy as she transitions into her role over the next nine months."
Below, Amy shares about her journey to Proctor and her excitement for this exciting new chapter for both her and Proctor.
Why Proctor? What most excites you about leading our school?
First of all, I have known and admired Proctor for years. The School’s ability to meet students exactly where they are, while offering them the tools, challenges, and support they need to thrive inspires me. Proctor understands that transformational growth comes from empowering students to take meaningful risks, creating those difficult, sometimes uncomfortable moments where failure is possible. This is a critical part of the process of building resilience, and is the kind of learning that is crucial for young people today, preparing them to lead in an ever-evolving world that demands adaptability, creativity, empathy, and emotional strength.
Proctor’s palpable commitment to a community where every single member plays an important role and is challenged to fully participate and engage has long captivated me. At Proctor, everyone belongs, and the adults in the community are fiercely committed to supporting their students. This isn’t just about academic achievement and outcomes, it is about truly knowing each individual, helping them understand that they matter, that they are valued, and that they are part of something larger than themselves. I hear this consistently from alumni, faculty and friends who are part of the Proctor community.
This understanding of individual students and commitment to belonging permeates Proctor’s approach to education as a whole. The faculty’s profound commitment to understanding and appreciating that every student learns differently, combined with an educational model so deeply committed to experiential learning opportunities both on campus and around the globe, helps students develop self-awareness and self-advocacy skills, while embracing their whole selves unlike any school I have seen. Students are afforded the opportunity to find their strengths, to build confidence, and, ultimately, be prepared for not only academic success, but life beyond Proctor. This approach to education is deeply inspiring, and it is a mission I am proud to steward into the future.
How have your prior experiences at Kents Hill School and Berwick Academy led you to this opportunity at Proctor?
In my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with many talented educational leaders. At Berwick Academy, I learned from two exceptional Heads of School. Greg Schneider, now Head of School at Belmont Hill, demonstrated how to lead meaningful change through clear vision and strategy. Jim Hamilton, Berwick’s current Head of School, emphasizes leaning into the important work of building an inclusive school community. His focus on distributed leadership enabled me and our team to deliver an exceptional student experience while advancing a bold strategic plan.
At Kents Hill School, I experienced what it means to be part of an intentional boarding community. This is where I learned that transformative student experiences require significant effort from the faculty, but the reward is deeply fulfilling. While there, I had the opportunity to teach my first English class, coach and lead young women in a sport that has been incredibly meaningful to me, live in a dorm with students, have my own advisory and begin my leadership journey by supporting the school’s work through enrollment and strategic planning. I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for the dedicated educators there who guided me through all of those learning experiences.
Both communities—one a boarding school and one a day school—are remarkable for different reasons, but they share a common trait: adults who care deeply for students and place their well-being at the forefront of the school's mission. The foundation I was able to build at both Berwick and Kents Hill has prepared me to lead a school that is grounded in a mission that encourages students to be their truest selves. After spending twelve years at each school, I am excited to immerse myself in all things Proctor, building on these experiences to contribute meaningfully to this community.
While you have dedicated your life to the schools in which you have worked, tell us a little about your personal interests, family, and how you recharge?
My husband, Jimmy, and I are at our happiest when we are surrounded by friends and family. I love immersing myself in a new recipe, and then sharing meals with the people I care about. Jimmy is a master at keeping everyone entertained with lawn and card games that always spark a little friendly competition. As a native of Ohio, he is a die-hard Ohio State and Cleveland sports fan, so when fall rolls around, you will often find us eating football snacks in front of the game. We both enjoy spending time outdoors, whether we’re golfing, hiking (though Proctor orientation will be my first overnight hike!), or traveling to explore new places.
As much as I love the social aspects of my work and personal life, I am also an introvert at heart and need quiet moments to recharge. I love sitting on a dock with a good book, hearing nothing but the wind and the call of the loons. Jimmy and I enjoy camping and canoe trips, where we can truly disconnect—no phones, just the outdoors, and the chance to slow down. When we are home, recharging might look like binge-watching a good series on the couch with our dogs, Moxie and Wookiee, keeping us company.
What most excites you about getting to know Proctor's students and employees?
It takes a special kind of person to create and deliver the Proctor experience, and that dedication is evident in the faculty and staff throughout the school. I thrive in environments where teams work together to create something greater than themselves. It is clear to me that at Proctor, there is a community of adults who believe in each other and in the collective greatness of the school. This culture of care and commitment is something I deeply value, and it will be a priority for me to nurture as Head of School.
Education is a journey of continuous growth and transformation that never stops, no matter where we are in life. I see so much of myself in what I have learned about Proctor students - young people who embrace being on a shared journey and excel when they are given the confidence to try something new by trusted mentors. While the school provides an incredible array of opportunities, as well as ample support and guidance, it is the students who drive their own growth. They take risks, dare to be different, find their own paths, and discover what they are truly capable of. This is inspiring, and I am eager to learn and grow alongside both the students and the faculty.
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