The Buzz

One of my goals this year has been to get to know Proctor by being present with our students, not just observing, but fully participating alongside them. Serving as a Project Period Leader gave me exactly that opportunity.

I traveled to Segovia this winter to see our students' experience firsthand, and what I found was students who were confident, engaged, and so proud to share the world they had built thousands of miles from campus.

While I spent much of my childhood skiing with my family, it is a sport I have not made space for in more than twenty years. As I stepped into my new role at Proctor, I knew it was time to reintroduce something I once loved deeply back into my life.

While schools nationwide struggle with teacher retention, Proctor defies the trend. A recent gathering with former community members underscored why: this is a place where passionate people find ownership, autonomy, and purpose.

At Proctor, our students don't learn about life, rather they are challenged to live it, take ownership of it, with the support and encouragement of a remarkable group of adults.

When I visited campus as Proctor’s Head of School-Elect last winter, I asked a group of Proctor students what experiences I needed to have if I wanted to truly understand the culture of this place. They didn’t hesitate: Wilderness Orientation.

Imagine every young person leaving Proctor with a clearer understanding of what brings them energy, how their brain learns and manages emotions, what helps them fully engage in their surroundings, and how they navigate adversity.

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 the year concludes, it seems important to consolidate the most important elements of our conversation. Brain scientists would indict us for failing to review what we have learned.