The snow day closure on Tuesday reminded me of something Richard Brautigan wrote, “The smallest snowstorm on record took place an hour ago in my backyard.” It didn’t really matter that there was no real snow to speak of; a surprise day off in the midst of a very busy week at school was nonetheless very welcome.
I announced Benoît’s departure to you here and spoke of the first steps we would take to recruit his replacement. Whenever we’re faced with a departure, we have to find the hidden opportunity that will take the edge off the sadness. In our case, we decided to look for someone who would be the director of Elementary and Maternelle* so we could reinforce the connections not only between our two buildings but also between the two cycles of learning.
We received a lot of applications from all over the world. We didn’t get bogged down by logistical questions (such as visas, age and number of children, marital status, etc. ), which are so crucial when recruiting in the US, and in New York in particular. We wanted to find the best candidate without thinking too much about their administrative context. Our families are demanding—rightfully so—and our teachers are excellent—we wanted to find a primary head to lead and accompany our teachers and students who could guide and inspire them.
Six panelists—including Benoît (the man’s generosity knows no bounds)—met ten shortlisted candidates, who received our questions in advance so they could give their very best during the interviews. We met enthusiastic candidates from America, North Africa, all corners of Europe, and Asia. Inspiring, experienced leaders, incredible teacher trainers, and enlightened educators with strong convictions who felt The École would be a perfect match for them.
We realized in record time that we would have no difficulty recruiting an excellent primary head. The next step was to make sure we would have an ideal colleague, too—someone who we would share an office and spend endless hours with. Compatibility is a difficult thing to measure—it’s subjective and intangible, especially when there are six interviewers who could all feel differently.
But there was nothing to worry about; the choice came naturally to us all. Sophie was the one each of us imagined at the school doors for drop-off in the morning and at dismissal in the afternoon, the one we pictured roaming the corridors and stopping in each classroom, and the one we saw talking with our parents and working with our students.
Sophie is Sophie Weth, currently a head of teacher development in a large school in Morocco, with experience as a primary head in France, South Africa, and Madagascar. Sophie was top of everyone’s list and I am happy to announce that she has accepted the position of primary head of The École starting in September 2024. She will move to New York with her husband, Jean-Marc, and her two sons, Sasha, who will join 2nd Grade, and Noam, who will join 8th.
So there you go, a week that started with the smallest snowstorm finished with the biggest ray of sunshine.
Have a wonderful break!
*Ben will, of course, still be the master at Maternelle.