Dear EMS Community,
It is an honor to write to you for the first time as your new Head of School. I’m pleased to report that we’re off to an incredible start as we plan for the next academic year and beyond, setting in motion a number of exciting projects I look forward to formally announcing as they are finalized. One such effort seeks to enhance combined aspects of computer science, innovation, applied sciences, and project-based learning. These efforts promise to set EMS apart from its peers.
As I’ve been meeting with our thoughtful and visionary leadership team over the past few weeks to align our planning and goals across divisions and teams, I’ve seen the benefit of their collaboration. Their varying perspectives, shaped by their different journeys to EMS, including educational backgrounds and continued learning, work with other top-tier independent schools and renowned universities, and, for some, deep institutional knowledge of EMS, will ensure that we continue to move forward while holding tight to the sense of community and core values at our foundation.
I do have one exciting update that I am eager to share with you all that relates to our leadership team. As you know, we are in need of a new Associate Head of School — someone to help us attract and retain students and families who align with our mission and values and will contribute to the life of the school, to shine the light on our amazing community and encourage connection and engagement, to fundraise so that we can sustain exciting new efforts as we continue to make progress toward our strategic plan, and to work alongside our leadership team to further develop our faculty and with our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Belonging (DEIB) to strengthen our related DEIB efforts, both of which are crucial to our goal of providing inspirational and inclusive teaching and learning at EMS.
One individual quickly came to mind who has given nearly three decades of dedicated service to The Elisabeth Morrow School. An educational leader, she has successfully conceptualized and created two full departments and four auxiliary programs at EMS and is also an EMS parent four times over. She has a great love and tremendous care for our school, our community, and every individual within it. I am pleased to announce that Amelia Gold has accepted the position of Associate Head of School, effective immediately.
Amelia needs little introduction as many of you know her as your child’s teacher, a colleague, and friend, and, for our extended EMS community, a dependable and charismatic presence at our concerts. While she will continue to lead the Arts Division, conduct the orchestra, and work with our arts faculty, Amelia’s love for our school is paramount, and, as she shares in a personal message below, she is looking forward to helping me elevate the EMS experience as a whole, to help us reach the next level of academic excellence. I look forward to all we can accomplish together, with Amelia’s support in her newly expanded role. I hope you’ll join me in congratulating her.
Dr. Marek Beck
Head of School
Dear EMS Community,
For the past 28 years, it has been my honor to teach music and lead the Arts Division at EMS. As I approach year 29, I am so excited to embrace my expanded role as Associate Head of School.
Through my work, I’ve had the opportunity to teach almost every student in our school community and connect with their families — experiences I will rely on as I carry out the responsibilities of this new position. I will be focusing on enrollment management; community connection and engagement; fundraising; faculty development; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; and fostering inspirational teaching and learning. In addition, I will continue to lead the Arts Division, conduct the orchestra, and work with our arts faculty across divisions.
Between teaching our students and raising my four children here at EMS, this school is a second home for my family. I deeply love and care for our beloved community, our traditions, and our continued commitment to our core values through living the 4 Cs. Having experienced all three divisions of EMS as a parent and continuing to witness the impact of our exceptional academic program on my children has been transformative. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support Marek in his vision for this chapter of EMS and to elevate all areas of our program. I look forward to the important work of collaborating with faculty, inspiring and amplifying their ideas to enhance our already outstanding academic program.
For those who may know me as their child’s teacher, a program administrator, or as a fellow parent — and for our newest community members who I haven’t had an opportunity to meet yet — I look forward to connecting with each of you in a deeper way. I will strive to ensure that EMS feels like your family’s second home as well. For me, there is simply no greater or more special school than EMS, and I look forward to partnering with you and taking this educational journey together.
Thank you to the Board of Trustees and our incredible leadership team for entrusting me with EMS’ “hopes and dreams,” and I pledge to give all I have to this amazing school of ours.
With love,
Amelia Gold
Associate Head of School
Director of the Arts
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