Lisa Surace confirmed as new permanent head of Lower School

Caroline Lippman, IX & Staff
Contributing Writer

On November 14, Head of School Paul Stellato announced the appointment of Dr. Lisa Surace as Head of Lower School. The PDS community met this decision with great enthusiasm. “She has been absolutely fabulous. I can’t imagine anybody better,” commented Mr. Stellato.

Dr. Surace served as Interim Head of Lower School when the search to replace former Head of Lower School John Weaver failed to produce a satisfactory candidate. This search was conducted by a committee chaired by Head of Middle School and Assistant Head of School for Academic Leadership Steve Hancock, as well as three members of the Lower School faculty, a member of both the Middle and Upper School faculties, and Dr. Surace herself. At this time, Dr. Surace was not in the applicant pool for the position.

As Mr. Stellato explained in an interview conducted by the Spokesman in October of this year, he did not immediately ask Dr. Surace to become the permanent Head of Lower School because “it never occurred to [him] to do so.”

While Dr. Surace was serving as Interim Head this fall, Mr. Stellato decided to speak with the Lower School faculty to hear their thoughts on applicants for the new Head of Lower School. He remarked that many of the Lower School teachers enthusiastically suggested that Dr. Surace become the full-time head.

This immense respect for Dr. Surace amongst the Lower School faculty was a key factor contributing to Mr. Stellato’s decision to make her the permanent head. He was also influenced by her experience and skill, saying, “I came to know Dr. Surace, and as I watched her this year…I came to appreciate how talented she is.”

Dr. Surace boasts an impressive professional history, having attended Princeton University as an undergraduate and earned her masters and doctoral degree from New York University.

Prior to joining the PDS community as a Learning Specialist in 2010, Dr. Surace and her family lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she held the position of Director of Student Services for the Madeira Schools. She previously served as a staff psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and as a therapist in the Westport, Connecticut school system.

Dr. Surace has also taught social psychology and child neuropsychology courses at Baruch College, Western Connecticut State University, and Fairfield University.

Mr.Stellato commented that Dr.Surace’s “remarkably strong background in child development…is ideal in [the context of] the Lower School.”

Since her appointment as Interim Head of the Lower School, Dr. Surace has had an overwhelming impact. First grade teacher Julie Cucchi commented, “Everybody felt her leadership immediately … She brought a great set of skills to the position.”

Other teachers harboured equally positive sentiments. “The fact that she is a learning specialist is huge,” remarked second grade teacher Susan Ferguson. Ms. Cucchi agreed, saying, “She is an amazing resource…[especially with] her background in educational psychology … [She] is a strong advocate for the Lower School teachers and students.”

Ms. Ferguson further noted that Dr. Surace is “very enthusiastic” and has helped “keep us moving forward.” She praised Dr. Surace for helping to foster a “community spirit in the Lower School faculty. [She] knows our kids and makes herself visible.”

Many other teachers and administrators have also commended Dr.Surace for introducing technological advances to the Lower School.

As a whole, everyone seems to have a great deal of admiration for  Dr.Surace. Mr. Stellato describes her as “unbelievably bright,” and notes that she “relates magnificently to the parents, the faculty, and the students.”

Her position as Head of Lower School is well suited for Dr. Surace on a personal level as well because her two children are students in the Lower School. She said, “I love being so closely involved in their world.”

Dr. Surace hopes her recent appointment will affect PDS in “great ways.” Regarding her plans for the future, she says, “There are a lot of initiatives in the Lower School, and there are a lot of teachers with great visions.” She commented that she looks forward to collaborating personally with teachers. “I am very excited to be here, and I have lots of energy!”

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Posted by Spokesman Editors on December 21, 2011. Filed under December 2011,Featured Content,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry