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Presentation hires new head of school

The Presentation School named Scott Parker as its new head of school, beginning July 1, 2013. Parker will join Presentation from The Woodside Priory School, an academically rigorous independent Catholic day and boarding school for grades 6-12 in Portola Valley (San Mateo County).

Parker has been with the Priory since 2000 and served as dean of students for the past five years. He has a master’s degree from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from the honors program at Montana State University. Parker has more than 12 years of experience in curriculum and course development, and teaching social studies and world history. Parker also currently serves as president of the school board for the Portola Valley School
District.

In 2011, Parker was awarded the National Association of Independent School’s Fellowship for Aspiring Heads of School, and he participated in the year-long “2011 Aspiring Heads Leadership Institute.”

Parker was identified as a candidate for Presentation by search consultant Judith Glickman of Educator’s Collaborative. The appointment culminates an intensive search process that attracted candidates from around the country.

Parker twice visited the campus for meetings, interviews and classroom visits. All faculty, parents and students were invited to meet with Parker and to fill out candidate evaluation surveys. The search committee followed up with a site visit to The Priory.

Parker expects to move to Sonoma early this summer with his wife, Alicia, who is a college counselor, and their two sons who will attend The Presentation School.

Nancy Fischman will retire as head of school at the end of the 2012-13 school year, after five years at Presentation.

August Sebastiani, chairman of Presentation’s board of trustees, said of Parker’s hiring, “We are excited about this new chapter at The Presentation School, under the dynamic and energetic leadership of Scott Parker. His background, skills, and experience are a perfect fit for the culture and academic rigor of the Presentation School.”

Two dates will be set for potential school families and the community to meet Parker at Presentation school events in the months ahead.