Schools
Whitby School Names Headmaster
With appointment of Bryan Nixon, current headmaster Doug Fainelli will retire.
The Board of Trustees of the Whitby School has announced the appointment of its next Head of School, Bryan Nixon, and the retirement of its current head, Doug Fainelli.
In a statement released by the school, Whitby said,
"Under Fainelli’s experienced leadership, Whitby achieved International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) and Middle Years Program (MYP) accreditation, becoming the first school in the United States to be accredited by both the American Montessori Association and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), making it a global leader in the educational field at the forefront of child-centered learning. Whitby’s innovative curriculum is based on best practices drawing from state, national and international curriculum standards.
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“It is an exciting moment in Whitby’s history, and we owe a deep debt of gratitude to Doug Fainelli for the strong foundation he has built for Whitby,” states Patricia Franklin, Chair of the Board of Trustees. Franklin continues, “The future for Whitby has never been brighter, and we are thrilled to have Bryan Nixon, an outstanding international educator and proven independent school leader for over 17 years, as our next Head of School. In addition to having exceptional management and interpersonal skills, Bryan is an international leader in curriculum development having been formally recognized by the IBO as one of twelve international educators selected to write units of inquiry for IB’s PYP. We are excited for Bryan Nixon and his family to arrive, and the opportunity for Whitby to continue to thrive under his astute and passionate leadership.”
"In preparation for Fainelli’s retirement, last year Whitby’s Board formed a Head Search Committee and hired a search firm Carney, Sandoe & Associatesto begin the search for Whitby’s next Head of School. Fainelli’s decision to re-enter retirement at the end of December coincides with the completion of the Head selection process. After narrowing an exceptional talent pool of international candidates, Whitby’s Board found that one candidate, stood out above the others, Bryan Nixon, for his embodiment of the qualities that will ensure that Whitby remains a leader in 21st Century education.
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“Four years ago, I seized the opportunity and the challenge to come out of retirement to help Whitby become the leading school it is today. With that milestone achieved, it is time for new energy, vision and leadership, and Bryan Nixon is exactly the kind of inspired and experienced leader who will take Whitby to the next level,” says Fainelli. “I am proud to have shaped the school’s history, and deeply honored to be a part of such an exceptional place.”
Nixon joins Whitby at a time when Whitby is experiencing solid growth and success, as a result of heightened demand for Whitby’s academically rigorous and innovative curriculum.
“I am excited to bring my passion, vision and experience to Whitby,” states Bryan Nixon. Nixon adds, “A Whitby education – with its low student to faculty ratio, a diverse student body with 40 countries represented, where every child is the central focus and engaged in their learning – is very special. I have spent my career working extensively with IB programs, delivering educational best practices within the classroom, successfully building schools to reach their fullest potential, and in particular, ensuring a school’s curriculum is preparing students for the 21st century. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to lead such a remarkable school and ensure we continue to inspire, engage, and challenge our students.”
Whitby, founded in 1958, is an independent co-educational private school with enrollment of approximately 392 students, aged 14 months through 8th grade.
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