Interviews

I’m on the search committee to find a new head of school for the Montessori school my son goes to.   I can’t say enough positive things about the work that our board chairs have done to get us to this point.   They have done extensive research on the what the search should entail.   They interviewed and selected a consulting firm to help us manage the entire process, which has proven to be invaluable.

Many things have happened since that time resulting in six semi-finalist candidates which we interviewed today via Skype.   When looking for a location to host the long session (3:00pm until 10:00pm today) we ended up having the interviews here at our house as opposed to renting a location.   My husband and I rearranged our basement and set up the room with tables and chairs so that the nine search committee members could face our television such that the candidate would be able to see us all during the call.

Food and beverages were prepared, dinner was ordered for later and the committee arrived.   Then we spend what seemed like no time at all in a forty-five minute interview session with each candidate, prepping for the following candidate in-between.  

At the end of the night we discussed our thoughts and will meet again on Friday to determine our finalists, which we will bring to the school (some candidates are from out of state).   The finalists will meet the staff, teachers and have an open forum with our families for questions and so that we and the  candidate can get to know each other.  

After that the committee will make a decision and recommendation to the board of trustees on which candidate to vote on for the head of school position.   This will take place by the end of the school year.    We have some excellent candidates, I think the school will have both capable and well-received leadership going forward as our current and much beloved head of school prepares for retirement.

The Big Boy Tiny Girl Quiet Update:   My children went to dinner with Mimi and my father’s sister, Aunt Martha, who came to visit today.   They were on their best behavior at dinner and when they got home, with the search committee interviews happening in the basement, dad asked them to be very quiet.    I didn’t even hear them they were so silent.   They got bonus stamps for good behavior all evening.