Announcements

SAES Interim Executive Director Announcement

“We provide time, spaces, and people who can help you develop your full human potential, and explore what it means when God says, “We are made in God’s image.” We want to engage your hearts and spirits— not just your minds. “ Andrew Wooden, The Episcopal School of Los Angeles Convocation Chapel Talk, 2020

On behalf of the Board of Directors, and with deep appreciation for the excellent work provided by the members of the Search Committee, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew F. Wooden as the Interim Executive Director of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools, effective July 1, 2021.

Throughout his career, Andrew has served in senior leadership capacities at Choate Rosemary Hall (CT), and as Head of School at The Bosque School (NM) and Marymont of Santa Barbara (CA). Andrew has also skillfully served in interim leadership roles at several schools, including Saint James Episcopal School (CA), The Buckley School (CA), Laguna Blanca School (CA), and most recently the Episcopal School of Los Angeles, giving each of these schools the opportunity to thrive during periods of transition. In addition to leading schools, Andrew continues to serve as a Trustee for ASSIST (a U.S. based nonprofit international student exchange program) and The Bishop’s School (CA). A graduate of Yale Divinity School, Andrew has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale for his role in the formation of a new program in Educational Leadership.

Andrew believes that “strong transitional leadership is about intentional goal setting while ensuring to preserve what is best about the institution. In all my transitional leadership roles I have found a balance between bringing stability to the organization while helping the institution prepare for permanent leadership and change.”

Our Association owes a debt of gratitude to our search consultant, Doreen Oleson from RG175, for her expert guidance through this phase of the search process. SAES has also been incredibly blessed by the hard work and prayerful discernment of an outstanding Search Committee. With the appointment of Andrew as our Interim Director, Doreen and the Search Committee will apply their considerable talents to the task of finding the permanent Executive Director for July 2022.

Respectfully,

Rob Devlin

President, SAES Board of Directors

Dear SAES members and friends,

I am filled with gratitude, enthusiasm, and energy as I begin my transition from Interim Head of The Episcopal School of Los Angeles to become the Interim Executive Director of SAES. I want to thank you for the care you showed me during the search, and I look forward to flying to Amarillo and driving to Canyon to meet with David Madison, Rob Devlin, and the SAES staff next week in anticipation of starting in earnest on July 1.

Most importantly, I want to tell you just how professional and thoughtful Nathan Sheldon and the search committee were with me throughout the process. As you can imagine, I have been involved in several executive searches, and this committee was simply excellent. The questions in the several interviews were intelligent, engaging, appropriately challenging, and reassuring. I am especially thankful for the time I spent with the David Madison and the SAES staff. David has developed an exceptionally strong leadership team, and I look forward to collaborating with Pat Blevins, Mary Katherine Duffy, and Jeanie Stark. I enjoyed my interviews and conversations with each and all of them.

I look forward to working with all of you and the Board of Directors in the coming months. We have lots of good work ahead and I am excited that this is the Association’s biennial year. It is exciting to imagine many of us gathering and uniting at the SAES conference at The Westin Galleria in Houston, Thursday, October 21, and Friday October 22. David and his team have planned what will be a wonderful conference, and I look forward being a part of the SAES community—especially live and in person as well as with those who are joining remotely.

Personally, and professionally, I am feeling profoundly blessed to be chosen to serve SAES. I have admired and respected the association deeply while serving my former school in the Southwest region, and nothing could be more rewarding than serving SAES schools and supporting the leadership of our member schools. I love my work in Episcopal schools, and as I said in my letter to Nathan and the search committee, “Episcopal schools have a spiritual and religious dimension that makes us different from other schools.” These times call for the spiritual and ethical dimensions that our schools hold sacred. I could not be more pleased to begin our important work together.

In closing, thanks to our search consultant, Doreen Oleson from RG175; she has served SAES faithfully to date, and she will lead us well this coming year with the larger search and appointment of our permanent executive director.

Most Sincerely,

Andrew F. Wooden

Interim Executive Director Elect
Coronavirus Resources
Dear Friends:

As part of our mission to lead, nurture, and unify Episcopal schools, we are are compiling resources to assist you in responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The World Health Organization has identified this situation as a public health emergency and are advising all American businesses and schools to prepare for the possibility of a larger outbreak. These resources will assist you in your planning.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to explore some of the specific questions that your community may be facing. Let us also offer prayers for everyone that is affected by this virus.

Peace and blessings,

David+

Resources:
New Federal Legislation:
Webinars:
- Coronavirus Issues for Schools
  By Fisher Phillips, LLC
  Watch Webinar Now
- Proactive Precautions for Schools: Campus Closure Checklist for FACTS SIS and Business Operations Preparations
  By Facts Management, Inc.
  Watch Webinar Now
- Leading in a Time of Crisis with Rob Evans and Michael Thompson
- OESIS’ Fall Start Scenarios
Distance Learning:
Strategic Thinking:
- An Open Letter to Independent School Leaders
Discussion Board for Heads of Schools
Biennial Conference 2021

We are excited to announce David Epstein as our keynote speaker for our Biennial Conference in Houston on October 21-22, 2021. David's latest book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, speaks to the heart of what we are trying to accomplish in Episcopal schools. Over the next several months, I look forward to introducing David and his work to the SAES family. Below, you will see an interview of David on CBS This Morning where he discusses the thesis of his book.
SAES Blog - Grievance Policy

One of the FAQs we receive concerns a school's grievance policy. A parent is unhappy with a school decision and wants to address the matter with the board. How should the board respond to parent complaints? That's one of the things we have to do, right? Read More

Resources:

New Federal Legislation:

Webinars:

Distance Learning:

Strategic Thinking:

Discussion Board for Heads of Schools

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