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We offer a personalized mentoring experience by carefully selecting the ideal mentor from our team of 12 experts, ensuring the best fit for each mentee's unique needs and goals. The program includes 15 virtual sessions over the course of the school year.
Lower School is a magical time of discovery, where young minds explore new ideas and build the foundation for lifelong learning. Lower School Directors can expect to work through various situations with their mentors, including strengthening parent/family involvement through engaging events and communication strategies, facilitating collaboration among faculty and specialty staff to create a cohesive and supportive learning environment, balancing staff schedules to maximize instructional effectiveness, and developing age-appropriate programs that address the unique needs of early learners.
Middle School is a transitionary time for students where they begin to explore their identities and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. Middle School Directors can expect to work through various situations with their mentors, including managing the social and emotional challenges of adolescence, implementing programs that support both academic and personal growth, and fostering strong communication channels between students, parents, and teachers to ensure a supportive school environment.
Upper School is an exciting time for students where they take independent action, pursue their passions, and plan for the future. Upper School Directors can expect to work through various situations with their mentors including preparing students for college and career pathways, fostering students’ leadership and independence, preventing departmental silos, and supporting faculty development.
Residential Directors face unique challenges related to the mental and emotional strain of not being able to leave work behind. Residential Directors can expect to work through various situations with their mentors including establishing and enforcing professional boundaries, developing high-level executive functioning skills such as conflict resolution, time management, and creating personal time and space. Additionally, they must navigate the emergency management responsibilities that come with "in loco parentis" status.
Mentors will help directors for special needs services or learning centers manage the emotional complexities involved in the lives of special needs students. They will guide directors on best practices in numerous areas, including supervising special education faculty, supporting different service providers (e.g. physical therapists or reading specialists), planning and implementing IEPs and 504 plans, and successfully conducting meetings with public school districts.
Becky Faulkner brings 46 years of educational experise, including 30+ in independent schools, to ST. She has held various K-12 roles and administrative positions in higher education. Becky excels in program development, assessment data interpretation, and collaboration with teachers and administrators for program improvement. She has developed curricula, overseen professional development, and managed budgets. Additionally, she has served on accreditation teams across the southeast. Becky leads teams with effective interpersonal strategies, performance feedback, and leadership coaching, demonstrating strong time management and organizational skills, and a passion for helping others succeed.
Teresa Robson brings nearly two decades of independent school experience to ST, with fourteen of those in leadership positions. She joins from The John Cooper School (TX), a PK-12 coed day school of approximately 1,300 students, where she served as Assistant Head of Lower School then Head of Lower School, as well as Director of Community Programs. Teresa earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from The Ohio State University. She also graduated with an M.Ed. in Private School Leadership from the Klingenstein Institute at Columbia University. She lives with her husband and two college-aged daughters in The Woodlands, TX.
Amanda Hayes has spent her 25-year career as an educator serving in independent schools. She currently holds the position of Assistant Head of School for Academics and Head of Middle School at Cape Henry Collegiate in Virginia Beach, VA. Before assuming this role, she served as the Assistant Head of Middle School at the Community School of Naples in Naples, FL. While serving in these roles, Amanda has worked in collaboration with other school leaders to design and implement processes and programming to realize the vision of the school, enhance teaching and learning, provide guidance and support for students and parents, and create professional growth opportunities for faculty and staff.
Jamey Hein's 28-year career spans various roles in diverse schools, including day, boarding, coed, single-sex, Episcopal, and Quaker institutions. As Head of St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Maryland, he led a capital campaign and building project, marking a transformational period. He recently served as interim head at The Calverton School and now works as a consultant and mentor. Jamey is a strong advocate of mission-centeredness and servant leadership. He serves on the boards of Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School and Barnesville School and volunteers with several organizations. He will soon rejoin Salisbury School's development team while living near Annapolis, MD, with his family.
Sharon Arne has served in independent schools for almost 25 years. She has held many different positions including curriculum director, division director, assistant head, and academic head of school. She has worked in both day schools and boarding schools, and has filled her career working to create programming to meet the needs of the diverse schools she served. Sharon’s passion for education and learning led her to many growth opportunities including a certification in neuro-developmental science, a fellowship through the National Association of Independent Schools, and the development of a variety of academic programs including community-based learning, authentic learning and 21st century skills, and mastery learning. Coaching and guiding educational leaders has been a key part of her career and an aspect that Sharon finds not only satisfying but truly fun.
Nancy Laufe Eisenberg is a seasoned educator and former school leader, having served as Associate Head and Principal at Episcopal High School (EHS) in Houston and Head of School at St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore. At EHS, she chaired the English Department and Humanities Faculty, initiated professional development and mentoring programs, and helped establish honor and discipline systems. She has served on various EHS Trustee committees and the advisory committee for Breakthrough Houston. In Baltimore, she was a trustee for the Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust. Nancy holds a B.A. from Wellesley College and a Master's from the University of Houston. She is passionate about mentoring emerging school leaders.
Will Matsuzaki is currently Upper School Head and Director of the Tad Bird Honors College at All Saints’ Episcopal School in Fort Worth, Texas. He also served as Dean of Curriculum for EC-12 and taught in the upper school. Previously, he was Middle School Head at Harford Day School and was Dean of Faculty, department chair, Japanese Teacher, and coach at St. Paul’s School in Maryland. He earned his BA in Japanese from Carleton College, MSEd in Technology Education, Graduate Certificate in Administration and Supervision, and Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership all from Johns Hopkins University.
Brandi Richardson is the Assistant Head of School for Development and Secondary Campus Director at Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg, MS. She previously served as the Head of Upper School at Jackson Academy and held roles at Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, AL, where she improved instruction, raised ACT scores, and saw an increase in enrollment by 26% with her colleagues. Brandi has degrees in political science and Spanish from the University of Alabama and a master’s in education and social sciences from Spring Hill College. Recognized as one of Mobile Bay Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2018, she excels in curriculum development, differentiated instruction, and leadership.
Steve Soden currently serves as the Upper School Head at Severn School in Severna Park, MD, a position he has held since 2019. Before moving to Severn, he served as Head of High School at Madison Country Day School in Madison, WI. During his administrative career, he has also held roles as a grade dean and dean of students. His independent school experience is broad: he has taught both English and ceramics, coached five sports, served as an advisor, and worked in both boarding and day schools. He is a product of independent schools as well, having attended Tabor Academy in Marion, MA.
Dr. Matthew L. Olesnevich is an accomplished educational leader with extensive experience in both boarding and day schools. He currently serves as the Assistant Head of School for Student Affairs at Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh, North Carolina, overseeing enrollment management, marketing, athletics, residential life, and student wellness. Dr. Olesnevich has held various leadership positions throughout his career, including Head of Upper School, Assistant Head of Upper and Lower School, Dean of Students, Athletic Director, Director of Student Services, head coach, teacher, and academic advisor. In each role, he has demonstrated a student-centered approach to academic achievement, developing strategic plans and consistently achieving a budget surplus.
Wendy Skinner has worked at co-ed and single gender schools in a variety of administrative positions over the last twenty years. Building inclusive and dynamic communities at Dana Hall (MA), Shady Side Academy (PA), Western Reserve Academy (OH), and most recently at King’s Academy in Jordan, her passion informs thoughtful and deliberate programming based on building trust and personal relationships. A strong believer in the power of mentorship, she looks forward to collaborating on goal setting and leadership development in her role as a Leadership Mentor, while celebrating achievements along the way.
Dr. Jenn Scully brings 30 years of experience in education to ST. Most recently, she has served as the Head of School at Maplebrook School since July 2019. She previously served as Assistant Head of School, overseeing the development of the Institute for Collegiate and Career Studies. Additionally, Dr. Scully is an Adjunct Instructor at Marymount University, teaching graduate courses and advising doctoral students. Her academic background includes an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation from Marymount University, an M.A. in Medieval Studies from Fordham University, and a B.A. in European History from SUNY Albany. Dr. Scully has published works on social skills and character development and has presented at numerous professional conferences worldwide.
