Springmont Welcomes New Head Of School

From Springmont: Springmont welcomed Jon Alden as our new Head of School, effective July 1, 2018. After an eight-month long, international search process which included the active engagement of students, faculty, staff, parents, trustees and alumni, Jon Alden was selected to replace former head Jerri King. Board Chair Frank Blake and Search Committee Chair Steve DeVinney wrote “Jon’s experience and dedication to moving Springmont forward while continuing to honor the school’s mission and cherished traditions made the Board’s decision unanimous. Springmont’s community – students, teachers, administrators, staff and parents – is known for working together to maintain an environment that allows students to become informed, determined, socially-conscious, collaborative and resourceful citizens. We are confident that under Jon’s leadership our community will continue to work together to ensure that these hallmarks of a Springmont education will be available for many generations to come.”

Jon has been a head of school for 16 years, most recently serving as the head of the Nantucket New School where he increased enrollment by 25% and presided over a successful capital campaign. Prior to his post in Nantucket, he was the head of the Lowcountry Preparatory School in Pawleys Island, SC from 2009 to 2012 and the head of the Virginia Beach Friends School from 2002 to 2009. Jon earned his M.Ed. from Middle Tennessee State University in 1995 and his B.A. from Denison University in 1986.

In a letter to the community Jon wrote, “Students excel when they are engaged in their education and when they learn by doing. Not only do they achieve academic success, but they become lifelong thinkers, seekers and empowered citizens. Although I have not previously worked in a Montessori school, Dr. Montessori’s belief that “Education is a process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment” is completely in alignment with my own educational philosophy. I would maintain that any school that has goats, chickens and a turkey that has voluntarily called the campus its home is living Dr. Montessori’s vision very well. Springmont is clearly living its mission every day.”

Jon looks forward to being active in the Sandy Springs community, as he has been in Nantucket where he served on the board of the Nantucket Rotary Club coached the Nantucket Student Lacrosse U11 team. Jon and his wife, Megan DuBois, have four children ranging in age from 16 to 26.

Image via Springmont