Dear Members and Friends of the James River Day School Community,
It is with great pleasure and excitement that the Board Of Trustees announces James River Day School’s seventh Head of School, Peter Twadell. The Board of Trustees unanimously and enthusiastically approved the recommendation of the Search Committee to appoint Mr. Peter Twadell as James River Day School’s next Head of School, effective July 1, 2017.
Our Search Committee, aided by Ralph Davison and Marguerite Lloyd of Carney, Sandoe & Associates, embarked on a process last spring to engage the community in defining and seeking the essential attributes for our next Head of School. Most importantly, the Head must be a proven educator who embraces the mission of James River Day School and demonstrates a genuine love of children. The position also requires an operational and financial leader and a dedicated and accessible administrator who supports excellence in teaching and the continued professional growth of the faculty. In addition, the Head must be an effective communicator and relationship builder who is visible and engaged and whose presence in the daily life of James River Day School sets a tone of high expectations. Lastly, our community desires an entrepreneurial and creative leader who understands our culture and can confidently lead our school into the future.
During the eight-month, nationwide search, the consultants screened nearly 130 potential candidates for the position. From this group they presented James River Day School’s Search Committee with fourteen candidates to consider. The Search Committee spent scores of hours interviewing and vetting each of the candidates to narrow the field to the three finalists presented to the James River community. The committee strived to conduct a focused and inclusive search that would solicit and value input from all constituencies served by our school, and to attract a candidate whose experience, intellect, and enthusiasm would uphold and foster the mission of James River Day School. At the conclusion of this comprehensive process it was the unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee to name Mr. Peter Twadell as the next Head of James River Day School.
Peter Twadell will bring with him to James River Day School a distinguished background and a demonstrated record of achievement in independent school education. His broad experience gives him the varied expertise our school requires. He is a dynamic, innovative leader with a warm spirit and strong moral code. Peter’s depth of knowledge, immense skill-set and organized and quick mind will serve James River Day School well.
When asked what they liked most about working with Peter, a colleague at the Tower School noted, “with Peter, what you see is who he is. He is so authentic and genuine and has an outstanding ability to build great relationships-with students, parents, and faculty. He is collaborative and aims to work with all constituencies toward what is best for the children.”
Peter is married to Susie Twadell, a fifth-grade teacher and supporter of independent education. They have two high school aged children.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in this process. The high level of investment our community has in James River Day School was very evident and your feedback provided valuable perspective on the type of leader James River Day School needs to thrive and grow as we continue to fulfill our mission of cherishing and challenging children. We believe Peter Twadell represents a fulfillment of this expectation. We will work diligently over the coming months on the transition to new leadership.
Please join us in welcoming Peter Twadell and his family to James River Day School. We believe he will be an exceptional leader.
Sincerely,
Maryanna Stands
Chair, Board of Trustees
Our Search Committee, aided by Ralph Davison and Marguerite Lloyd of Carney, Sandoe & Associates, embarked on a process last spring to engage the community in defining and seeking the essential attributes for our next Head of School. Most importantly, the Head must be a proven educator who embraces the mission of James River Day School and demonstrates a genuine love of children. The position also requires an operational and financial leader and a dedicated and accessible administrator who supports excellence in teaching and the continued professional growth of the faculty. In addition, the Head must be an effective communicator and relationship builder who is visible and engaged and whose presence in the daily life of James River Day School sets a tone of high expectations. Lastly, our community desires an entrepreneurial and creative leader who understands our culture and can confidently lead our school into the future.
During the eight-month, nationwide search, the consultants screened nearly 130 potential candidates for the position. From this group they presented James River Day School’s Search Committee with fourteen candidates to consider. The Search Committee spent scores of hours interviewing and vetting each of the candidates to narrow the field to the three finalists presented to the James River community. The committee strived to conduct a focused and inclusive search that would solicit and value input from all constituencies served by our school, and to attract a candidate whose experience, intellect, and enthusiasm would uphold and foster the mission of James River Day School. At the conclusion of this comprehensive process it was the unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee to name Mr. Peter Twadell as the next Head of James River Day School.
Peter Twadell will bring with him to James River Day School a distinguished background and a demonstrated record of achievement in independent school education. His broad experience gives him the varied expertise our school requires. He is a dynamic, innovative leader with a warm spirit and strong moral code. Peter’s depth of knowledge, immense skill-set and organized and quick mind will serve James River Day School well.
When asked what they liked most about working with Peter, a colleague at the Tower School noted, “with Peter, what you see is who he is. He is so authentic and genuine and has an outstanding ability to build great relationships-with students, parents, and faculty. He is collaborative and aims to work with all constituencies toward what is best for the children.”
Peter is married to Susie Twadell, a fifth-grade teacher and supporter of independent education. They have two high school aged children.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in this process. The high level of investment our community has in James River Day School was very evident and your feedback provided valuable perspective on the type of leader James River Day School needs to thrive and grow as we continue to fulfill our mission of cherishing and challenging children. We believe Peter Twadell represents a fulfillment of this expectation. We will work diligently over the coming months on the transition to new leadership.
Please join us in welcoming Peter Twadell and his family to James River Day School. We believe he will be an exceptional leader.
Sincerely,
Maryanna Stands
Chair, Board of Trustees