Head of School Search

Head of School Annnouncement

February 13, 2023

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and The Head of School Search Committee, I am extremely pleased and excited to share that Elizabeth Lener has agreed to accept the position of Head of School for Springmont.  This decision is the result of many months of research, surveys, interviews and conversations with members of the Springmont Community.  As the head of the search committee, Chairman of the Board, and most importantly, a parent of a Springmont student, I want to thank everyone that has participated in this process. Elizabeth comes to Springmont with over 25 years of experience teaching and leading in independent Pre K-8th grade schools. We chose Elizabeth for her background, experience, academic credentials and leadership skills. Elizabeth is a lifetime learner and committed to a supportive, inclusive and meaningful Montessori learning environment. I am more than confident that we have found the right leader for our school.

Elizabeth’s official start date will be July 1st, 2023.  Please join me in providing Elizabeth and her family a warm welcome to our Springmont family. I would like to share with you this letter from Elizabeth to the school community.

Joe Colonna
Board Chair


 

Dear Springmont Community,

Springmont came on my radar just a few short months ago but what an impression the school has made on me! I was excited by everything I read on the website and could not wait for my visit in January when I had the opportunity to meet many of you and see Springmont in person. What I heard during my visit was a deep love for the school, a passion for Montessori practice and a deep yearning to see Springmont become its best self. What I saw was a beautiful campus, classrooms full of engaged children, and a place where children could explore, tend and learn from the natural world. There is an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and I look forward to doing that work alongside each one of you in the coming years.

I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me to steward this important and historic school and view it as my great privilege to serve the Springmont community on the next part of its long journey. I am excited to build relationships with each member of the community and for all that you will teach me! While I bring with me 26 years of experience in independent schools, I am new to Montessori and will be learning as much as I can, as deeply as I can, as quickly as I can. I trust that the community will help serve as my guides in this endeavor and be patient with my many questions as I build my understanding. 

Searching for a new head of school is a huge undertaking. I want to take this opportunity to share my gratitude for the search committee and the board for their time, effort, and candor throughout this process. Special thanks to Julie for her stellar handling of logistics throughout my visit, even in the face of an early closure due to weather. I felt welcomed and comfortable asking all my questions. I appreciate the time and perspective shared by parents, staff, teachers and administrators during our conversations and to the middle school students whose love of the school and their teachers was undeniable! After hearing them talk about the Landschool, I cannot wait for my first visit there! 

After living in the DC area so long, my family and I are excited about a new adventure in Atlanta! My son Malcolm is looking at high schools and will be in the 11th grade next year. My husband Rob will continue his work for the Environmental Protection Agency in a remote capacity, and our dog Chance is excited at the prospect of his own yard.

My plan is to visit a few times between now and the end of the school year in order to begin settling in and I very much look forward to crossing paths with each of you in the near future!

Warm regards,

Elizabeth