Eileen, please tell us a little about yourself, your background and what led you into educational leadership.
I started working as a teacher in International Schools in Greece, Turkey, and the UK, and for many years was satisfied with that level of student and school engagement. I became very much involved in curriculum development. When I started to work with the International Baccalaureate Organization, I realized that leadership was an essential component of making positive change happen in a school and ensuring that change was sustainable.
How long have you been with Pine Street School? Where were you before this?
As the founding Head of School at Pine Street School, I have been with the organization since the very beginning in 2014. Before this adventure, I had leadership positions in International Baccalaureate schools in Izmir in Turkey, Luanda in Angola, Batam in Indonesia, Singapore, and Istanbul in Turkey.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I would describe my leadership style as a coaching model as I believe that leaders should lead by example. Everyone has things to learn from others, so I encourage teachers to take risks and support their colleagues within the organization so we can all understand more and improve ourselves. I believe collaboration is a vital part of developing a learning community.
What is Pine Street School’s philosophy? Teaching style? How do you encourage that kind of culture?
We believe that education should foster the development of the whole person. Students at Pine Street School develop the ability to think critically, creatively, and independently, and work to reach their academic and personal potential. We want students to lead constructive, productive, and fulfilling lives, to appreciate and respect a diverse range of perspectives and cultures and have a sense of service and responsibility towards their local and global community.
We focus our efforts on employing research-based best educational practices to develop our students into highly motivated, reflective individuals who will continue to learn throughout life. We are dedicated to providing an innovative, engaging, multilingual, multicultural education that inspires and empowers our students to take mindful action for equity and the environment, positively impacting the world. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an inquiry-based curriculum based on educational research. Because we are located in the heart of the financial district in NYC, we are surrounded by cultural opportunities to share with our students.
What advice would you give to a new teacher in his or her first year?
I would tell them that every learner is unique and that the rigor in a curriculum is all about finding that ‘just right’ match for what they are ready to learn. I would encourage them to observe others and find their own style within the IB framework for teaching and learning. I would encourage them to read, discuss, and ask questions, and most of all, to reflect on their own practice. No one person or resource has all the answers, but together we can find our way to best meet the needs of the learners.
Do you’ll have a separation process for kids entering school?
We have a phase-in period for preschool children new to Pine Street School. Phase-in begins with a short in-person onsite visit. On the first day, students will briefly meet their teachers and their classmates, with every day that follows, the period of time in their classroom increases, building on each previously successful experience.
What strategies do you use to manage children with special educational needs?
Should a special education need present itself, we share external resources and work with parents to get any possible assessments their child may require. Based on the outcomes of the assessments, we then work with the external support providers to help our students.
What steps would you take if you are dealing with a student discipline incident?
To support each child to face the challenges of an ever-evolving and interconnected world, we use a coaching model for behavior management. This coaching model allows us to work with each student to build up better behavior as well as minimize the need for age-appropriate consequences through understanding, reflection, modeling, and support.
How do you recruit and maintain quality teachers and staff members?
We use a wide range of recruiting resources to find teachers in the New York City area, including international recruitment agencies. We find the IB program and teaching practices attract and retain good teachers, and I believe our positive and supportive school culture makes our faculty and staff want to stay.
What are some of your family favorite events that you host? Do you host any that are open to the public?
Before the pandemic, we had all school assemblies onsite, Welcome Time (where families could visit their child's classrooms for a brief period before heading off to start their day), original scripted and choreographed Winter and Spring performances, an annual international night with food from around the world and cultural performances and Field Day. All possible community events are being done online, and one of the most creative and fun online events to witness was Field Day.
Please tell us what makes your school unique from others in the area?
Pine Street School is a fully accredited International Baccalaureate World School offering the Primary Years Program in Spanish and Mandarin from Nursery (2s) through 8th Grade in the heart of New York City. We are introducing NYC’s Common Ground Collaborative Middle School in the Fall of 2023. Our early childhood center (Nursery 2s, Preschool 3s and Junior Kindergarten 4s employ Montessori practices).
Strong leaders are constantly learning. What is a great book or resource that has helped you grow and that you would recommend to others?
My favorite books are by Alfie Kohn, David Perkins, and Lynn Erickson. They have helped guide me throughout my career.
We want to get to know you a little better. Let’s play a round of quick questions. Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind:
Where are you originally from? I was born in Princeton, New Jersey, but grew up in Istanbul, Turkey
Do you have kids? How old are they? I have two children in their 30’s and two grandchildren ages 6 and 9
In which Hogwarts house would you be sorted? None!
Your favorite movie? Blinded by the Light
Your hidden talent? Music
What is your dream vacation? Somewhere on a Greek Island
What would the students be surprised to find out about you? That I hated school when I was a child
What’s a typical Saturday night like for you? A nice dinner and a good movie
How do you spend your summer breaks? With my family in Europe
What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies? Novels
What is your favorite dessert? Fresh Fruits
What accomplishment fills you with pride? Starting two schools from the beginning
Do you have a morning routine that gets you ready for school? Exercise
What inspires you? Listening to wise people, Barak Obama, for example
What is the best thing about being a principal? Getting to know everyone
An advice you would like your students to remember, always? Every person deserves respect
A gift from your student/s that you value the most? A little note
Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by? Live every day as if it were your last
What song do you know all the lyrics to? Come on Eileen
Your favorite Spirit Day in school is… Protest Day
Please offer some words of wisdom for the rest of us.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
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