The Search Committee welcomes your comments. Please send your thoughts to Michael Coope, Committee Chair, at mcoope@portledge.org or call him at 750-3202. The deadline to submit comments is 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2011.
Thank you,
The LS Division Head Search Committee:
Michael Coope, Chair, Assistant Admissions Director
Katie Henry – Grade 2 Teacher
Evie Sarles-Lower School Science Teacher
Doris Benter – Art Department Chair
Walter Oden – Parent (grade 4)
Mary Gund – Parent (grade 4)
Spiros Hiotis –Parent (Kindergarten)
Lindsey Barnett-Parent (PK and Kindergarten)
The candidates:
Julie Cox
Julie Cox is currently working with the Minneapolis (MN) public schools as a literacy and mathematics coach for a bilingual elementary and middle school population. She works with teachers on curriculum and professional development initiatives. Recently, she was the early childhood and elementary principal at the American School of Bombay, a school that embraced the PYP-IB (primary year program of the International Baccalaureate). She had a similar role at the American Community School in Amman, Jordan, and prior to 2004 she worked in public schools in Seattle (WWA) and St. Paul (MN) public schools, with five years as principal of Groveland Park Elementary School in St. Paul. Ms. Cox has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education from Oregon State University and a Master’s Degree in Literacy as well as administrative credentials from Seattle Pacific University.
Alan Cohen
Having just completed seven years as principal of PS 69 in New York City, where he implemented a Reggio Emilia inspired early childhood program and dramatically improved student reading and math proficiency, Alan Cohen is now a Network Leader who provides support for and supervises principals in 32 New York City schools. In the past he has had various responsibilities in the New York City system, including teaching, crisis intervention, mentoring teachers and aspiring principals, high school admissions, and supervising student support services. Mr. Cohen, who lives in Bayville, received his BA from Brooklyn College and a Master of Science, Special Education, degree from New York University. He is a Cahn Fellow at Columbia University. Recently, he has spent his summers as a group leader at The Principals’ Center Summer Institute of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Mr. Cohen also serves as an advisory board member at the Principals’ Center.
Jennifer Ashton-Lilo
Jennifer Ashton-Lilo has been the Principal of the Early Childhood Section of the American School of Guatemala since 2006, and she was also the principal of the Early Childhood Center at the American School of Barcelona for five years before moving to Guatemala. Previously, she was a teacher, teacher trainer, and consultant and worked in schools and universities as well as with NGOs and ministries of health and education in Latin America. Ms. Ashton-Lilo grew up in Kansas and has a BA as well as two Masters Degrees in Human Development from the University of Kansas. In addition to curriculum development and experience with the Reggio Emilia approach, Ms. Ashton-Lilo has interest and experience in health issues and developmental brain research.