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Brookwood eNewsletter
Wisdom, Honor, Achievement, Citizenship
Brookwood School Mission Statement
The purpose of Brookwood School is to provide an exceptional college-preparatory educational experience to students from four years of age through the twelfth grade. Brookwood is committed to developing the whole child: academically, physically, spiritually, and socially.
February 11, 2010 |
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FROM THE HEADMASTER...
Most independent school administrators are in positions where they are asked to wear a number of hats, and as a result, they often have to split their abilities to cover a wide range of responsibilities. For the past two years, Mrs. Ashley Harper has done just that with her leadership as both Brookwood School's Lower and Middle School Director. As per Mrs. Harper's request, at the conclusion of this academic year, she will concentrate solely on the extremely demanding responsibilities as Brookwood's Director of Lower School.
Mrs. Harper's hard work, dedication, creativity, and years of service as Middle School Director have had a positive and lasting impact not only for the Middle School program, but also the overall philosophy and vision of Brookwood School. She has without question been an effective influence on the lives of the young people entrusted to her. As a former Middle School Director and father, I can personally speak from my years of experience that this age in development is as challenging as any. Mrs. Harper has helped to increase and maintain enrollment, develop new and creative programs, and at the same time, exhibit the qualities of an outstanding Lower School Director.
Brookwood School is extremely grateful for the excellent work Mrs. Harper has provided to the Middle School over the past two years, and I will honor her request to put her energies, priorities, innovations, and direction towards the needs of the Lower School population, and area that is critical to Brookwood School's sustainability. I know you join me in supporting Ashley's decision and thanking her for the dedication and leadership she has given to our Middle School.
The Brookwood faculty has been made aware of this upcoming change, and I have opened the door for interest from within; in the meantime, I have also begun a search to appoint an individual with a high level of administrative energy, a love for students, a vision for the future, a background in curriculum development, a people person, a communicator, a highly qualified teacher, and most important, a love for working with middle school children and meeting their unique needs.
The following is a letter Mrs. Harper asked me to share:
Ashley C. Harper
309 Habersham Road
Thomasville, Georgia 31792
February 11, 2010
Dear Lower and Middle School Students and Parents,
It has been my pleasure and honor to serve Brookwood School as the Middle School Director for the past four years. The unique opportunities for the growth and development of school administrators cannot be matched in other positions and I appreciate the opportunities afforded to me in this position. More importantly, however, I had the opportunity to work with an outstanding group of students and faculty, who are exceptional in every way. Working to effectively and innovatively meet the needs of this population of students was the reason I was willing to leave the classroom for administrative duties and I am blessed to have worked with each of them.
Two years ago, when the position of Lower School Director became available, I was very ready to grow professionally and take on additional challenges. At that time, a natural successor for the position of Middle School Director was not apparent nor did I want to abandon the vision and work I had begun two years earlier. It was in the best interest of Brookwood School for me to take on both positions. Earlier this year, I approached Mr. Notaro about the on-going best interests of Brookwood School and my hope to return to a separate administrator at each level. The increasing responsibilities of maintaining a cohesive, well-monitored, innovative, and growing Lower School are important to the overall well-being of our school community. Additionally, the desire we have to increase offerings, student life, and programming at the Middle School level requires an ever increasing level of focus and vigor. However, the most important of the responsibilities of any school director remain to be maintaining close ties, care, and understanding of the student population entrusted to him or her. I look forward to the opportunity to put more personal energy into the Lower School student population and for the Middle School student population to be served by a director doing the same.
As a result, I am resigning my position as Middle School Director at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. I will sorely miss the daily interactions with my Middle School students and faculty, but I am confident that the new Middle School Director will be devoted to them and care for them as much as I do. It is my sincere hope and aim that this move will create a better Brookwood School.
Very Sincerely,
Ashley C. Harper
