Tara Simeonidis Appointed New Principal of TAS Lower School

On Tuesday, November 12, 2013, the TAS Board of Directors approved the Superintendent's nomination of Ms. Tara Simeonidis as the next principal of the lower school. The selection followed an international search led by Carney Sandoe & Associates, the largest faculty and administrator recruiter for America’s independent schools.

Dr. Hennessy enthusiastically presented her nomination of Ms. Simeonidis, whose current colleagues say she is “driven to do right by faculty and to know them” while seeing to it that students have a program that addresses both their educational and emotional needs. Her current head of school asserts that her faculty “have an incredible respect for her. They love her. I think they are going to be shocked – there’s going to be a hole when she leaves.” TAS parents describe Ms. Simeonidis as “nice and friendly,” “enthusiastic,” “passionate,” “positive,” and “caring”; one parent summed it up this way: “She is a strong communicator and appears to have a deep understanding of the individual needs of students, and the importance of collaboration with staff and families.”

Ms. Simeonidis and her husband spent three days at TAS, during which time she was interviewed by parents, students, faculty, and administrators. While all involved in the selection process recognize how difficult it will be to fill the shoes of Dr. Moran, who will take over as Assistant Superintendent for Academics, the following positive responses to our incoming lower school principal (from faculty and administration) bode well for the division’s future:

1. She is an excellent speaker and was very at ease in front of large crowds and talking individually. I like her thoughts and views and believe she would be a good match for not only the needed direction of the LS but the future of the TAS institution.
2. She seemed to be straight forward and honest; someone who would say what they thought and who would face up to difficult decisions.
3. I really liked her demeanor and felt she was quite calm and articulate. I think that her experiences would help her guide us in the right direction.
4. This candidate looks an ideal match for TAS. Her presentation and demeanor in front of faculty was first class. She would be a tremendous asset and fit.
5. Would be an excellent choice for principal!
6. Strong speaker and she appears to be a good match for TAS. She appears to possess a strong character and would stand up for what she believes in.
7. She seems enthusiastic and up to the challenge.
8. I really thought she was genuine and approachable. She seems very capable.
9. At this critical time, TAS has a principal candidate who is a true American independent school leader--just what LS needs to move forward.
10. Tara is a star. She impresses me in every way. I love her combination of experience, patience, and enthusiasm… Sure, she will have an adjustment or two to make, but excellence always shines. As I said, she is a star, and she will shine brightly. What a find!
11. She is a very nice person and seemed warm and approachable.
12. I believe Ms. Simeonidis would be a great fit for the LS.
13. She appears to be self-confident, yet has an underlying strength about her. She appears to be positive and also prepared to listen. I liked her and would welcome the opportunity to work with her in the future
14. I enjoyed her grace, her interactions with the administrative team, her presentational style, her passion for education.
15. She is an excellent public speaker and I never once heard her stumble over her words.
16. Tara has an air of competence wrapped in warmth. Similar school background will easily transfer to TAS community. Tara’s experience shone through especially in the areas of school climate, connecting to parents and faculty while knowing students. Experience in the same external testing as used at TAS a plus. Tara’s experiences would complement our administrative team.
17. She obviously did her homework in regards to TAS in relation to the people, place, and program of the school and she definitely demonstrated that she would be a great fit with this community. I sense that she has strong convictions and that she has a backbone and will stand up for what she believes in. She obviously has a passion for education and the younger students and I see her as a person who understands the needs of the TAS community.

The fifth grade student council members who met Ms. Simeonidis were, as usual, more succinct: “She has a good personality. I think she loves kids and she would be a perfect principal. She is a great candidate!”

For the last fourteen years, Ms. Simeonidis has served as the Lower School Head of Ridgefield Academy, a PreK-8 school located near Danbury, Connecticut. She has been instrumental in developing a high quality elementary school program for the school and has worked with vision, energy, and passion to ensure her students are well served, her faculty are well trained and supported, and her families feel engaged, informed, and connected to the education of their children.

She is responsible for overall management and programmatic activities of both preschool and lower school, and, setting the tone and climate in her division, she provides daily leadership for students, faculty, and staff. Over the years, for each grade, she has developed curriculum, insuring it is developmentally appropriate for the needs of each student and aligned vertically and horizontally. Serving as both evaluator and mentor, she has also established annual professional development training and goals for her faculty. Tara has served on numerous accreditation teams, and her school community views her as someone with the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, and dedication.

Prior to becoming an administrator, Tara taught at Ridgefield in grades, 4, 2, 1, and KA. She received her BA in elementary education from Queens College, and her Masters in Curriculum Development from Western Connecticut State University. An avid traveler, reader, and runner, she has competed in numerous marathons; she also coaches the school’s cross-country team. Tara and her husband, an attorney, have two adult children, one a musician, the other a lawyer. She grew up in New York City.

Tara Simeonidis will begin her work at TAS on July 1, 2014. I know that you will join with me in helping her and her husband, Nicholas, make a smooth transition to our fortunate community.