FH Country Day School Announces Georgia S. Zaiser New School Head

Press release from the Fair Hills Country Day School:

June 18, 2020

Far Hills Country Day School (FH) Board of Trustees is delighted to announce Georgia S. Zaiser as the new Head of School for the private Preschool–Grade 8 school located in Far Hills, NJ, effective July 1, 2020.

With over 25 years of experience in independent school education and a vast majority of that time at FH, Zaiser feels prepared to step into the role of Head of School. Since February 2020, Zaiser served as the Acting Head of School at FH, guiding the school’s community through the COVID-19 pandemic and forging new ground by working with faculty and staff to launch and implement distance learning successfully.

“The board recognizes that Georgia has provided strong, stable leadership of our school during these times of uncertainty,” said Chris Merton, FH Board of Trustees Chair. “Given all that Georgia has done this spring in her role at our school and all that needs to be done to prepare for the upcoming school year, our entire board is very excited that Georgia will continue at Far Hills as our Head of School. Her understanding of our school’s operations and culture, her familiarity with our students and families, and her collaborative style of leadership—are even more essential today.”

As a graduate of Dickinson College, and having received her M.S. Ed from Dowling College, Zaiser began her career in an urban school setting in Northwest Chicago. Her interest in taking a leadership role in the field of education grew at the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools’ Leadership Institute, where she learned about serving, inspiring, and leading others. During her career, Zaiser has proudly served and thrived in a variety of leadership roles, including Faculty Mentor, Vertical Team Leader, Grade Level Coordinator, History Department Chair, Head of Upper School, and Assistant Head of School.

Zaiser has shared her insights as an educator in numerous school publications and various parent, student, and teacher presentations. She presented Grit, Gratitude, and Grace: Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s World at the National ERB Conference in 2018, which addressed the challenges of developing key 21st-century traits and Mission Skills in a dynamic Preschool–Grade 8 program. She developed a comprehensive school-wide plan to strengthen students’ acquisition of these skills, including instructional strategies, innovative assessments, and new curricula within wellness, mindfulness, and social media literacy programs.

Zaiser has participated in the Mission Skills Workshop at the Lexington School in Kentucky, The Science of Teaching and School Leadership Academy: Mind, Brain, Education at the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, St Andrew’s Episcopal School, and The Heads Network: Women’s Leadership Seminar. Zaiser continues to be an active member of The Heads Network, which promotes active collaboration and professional growth for independent school heads and leaders who are committed to the education of girls and advancing women’s leadership.

As the Head of School at FH, Zaiser will prepare for the community’s return to campus and any subsequent challenges in light of COVID-19. She looks forward to reuniting the community with the opening of a state-of-the-art science facility and renovated/upgraded Upper School classrooms, as well as reigniting school spirit for the school’s alumni, including her two sons, to inspire students and keep Falcon pride alive and well.

“I am honored to be named Head of School and look to the bright future that lies ahead of us,” said Zaiser. “Our strength of community was solidified throughout our 90th year, and that resolve will serve us well as we navigate the next decade. Our dedicated faculty and staff alongside our supportive parent body will reaffirm Far Hills Country Day School as a leader in Preschool through Grade 8 education.”

For more information, visit FHCDS.org.

This press release was produced by the Fair Hills Country Day School. The views expressed here are the author’s own.