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The School in Rose Valley Board of Trustees is delighted to announce the appointment of Todd R. Nelson of the Adams School in Castine, Maine, to the position of Head of School starting in July 2010. Amid an unusually rich and talented field of candidates, Todd stood out as an experienced and resourceful administrator; an indefatigable communicator of school culture, identity and purpose; an innovative and supportive leader of teachers; and for his long and varied experience with progressive, independent, and public education.

Todd holds a BA from Bates College and an MA from Tufts University, and brings thirty years of progressive and independent school experience to SRV. Starting his career at the Boston's Shady Hill School, he apprenticed, taught and administered there for a total of eleven years before moving on to the Marin Country Day School near San Francisco. He then served as Middle School Head at the North Shore Country Day School in Chicago for four years, and was a founding member and Board Chair of the Farm School in Athol, Massachusetts.

Currently in his sixth year as Principal of the K–8 Adams School, Todd is a respected and beloved leader of his community who has put their small school on the global map through international student exchanges, connections with Maine officials, and publications in numerous professional and public venues. He is an articulate and tireless advocate for children, community, and progressive education, writing regular columns for www.teachers.net (The Administrative Learning Curve) and the Maine Association of Middle Level Educators, and publishing frequently in Educational Week, Maine Public Radio, Maine Times, and The Christian Science Monitor among others.

In Todd's words, "A school is always at a crossroads of tradition and innovation. We should be caretakers of a particular, inaugural vision and explorers of its evolving meaning. It's both a solemn responsibility and an energizing opportunity." The Board of Trustees looks forward very much to working with Todd to meet the opportunities and challenges of our current environment by fostering and communicating our core philosophy and values; leading and developing our teachers in their practice, and expanding our community through increased outreach, enrollment and financial aid.

We are also thrilled to welcome to the community Todd's wife, Lesley, who is a textile artist and early childhood educator. They have three grown children: Spencer, a musician and restaurant worker; Hilary, a teacher in Costa Rica; and Ariel, who is finishing her art degree in Glasgow, Scotland.

Lauren and the administrative staff are working closely with Todd on planning for a smooth transition. Todd looks forward to joining the SRV family in building on our tradition of effective, authentic, child-centered learning. The trustees wish to thank all those who participated in this strenuous and exciting search—teachers, administrators, parents, students, and members of the Search Committee—whose hard work and passion made this appointment possible. We hope you will join us in welcoming Todd and his family to our community.