Princeton Charter School Announces Retirement of Gail Wilbur

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After 14 years as the Assistant Head of School for the K-4 division, Gail Wilbur announced last fall that she would be retiring at the end of the 2022-23 school year. In her long tenure as division head, Mrs. Wilbur oversaw the expansion of the K-4 division from just over 108 students to its full complement of 224 students, and the construction of two new classrooms. Ms. Wilbur has been a strong steady leader at the school for the elementary division.

Lisa Eckstrom, Assistant Head of School for grades 5-8: “I feel very fortunate to have been part of such an excellent administrative team for the past 10 years at Charter: Larry Patton, our Head of School has been at PCS for 15 years; Gail Wilbur, our Assistant Head of School for grades K-4 has been at PCS for 14 years; and, I have been at PCS for 10 years as the Assistant Head of School for grades 5-8. Gail brings so much love and passion for Princeton Charter School to work every day as well as humor and compassion. When Gail’s eyes start to twinkle, students, faculty, and parents know that something very fun is about to happen. I wish Gail every happiness in her retirement.”

In addition to celebrating Mrs. Wilbur’s 14 years of leadership at Princeton Charter School, the school launched a comprehensive national search for her successor which has resulted in the naming of her successor as K-4 division head.

Princeton Charter School is pleased to announce that the new K-4 Division leader will be Michelle Dowling. Ms. Dowling is a dynamic individual with an impressive 30-year career working in schools. She is currently in the process of completing her Doctorate of Education (EdD). Ms. Dowling’s experience includes working in New York City at the Dwight School, Trinity School, and the Town School and working in Princeton as the Head of the Lower School for eight years at Stuart Country Day School.

“She has outstanding leadership experience; she is committed to excellence in teaching and learning; she is passionate in advocating for the health and development of the whole child. I love this balance and feel that this is a perfect fit for Princeton Charter School,” commented Lawrence Patton, Head of School.

Her own educational background demonstrates her drive to learn in support of her work as a school leader:

• Marymount Manhattan College: New York, NY Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Teacher’s College, Columbia University: New York Private School Leadership Program, The Klingenstein Center
• Bank Street College Graduate School of Education: New York, NY Masters of Science in Educational Leadership
• NAIS Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads Summer Institute
• One SchoolHouse: Academic Leadership For Hybrid Learning Design
• Northcentral University: San Diego, CA Doctoral Degree in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Teaching (anticipated completion-September 2023)

Stefanos Damiankis, President Head of Board of Trustees. “For any organization, talented, committed, mission-aligned leadership is essential. We are thrilled with the appointment of Ms. Dowling as she brings all of these key elements to the students and families at Princeton Charter school.”

Parents are key partners at Princeton Charter School, and several parents participated in the search process for the new Head of the K-4 division. Lijie Xu is an officer of the school’s Parent organization — Friends of Princeton Charter School. She commented, "With an excellent educational background, exceptional experience from various schools including a neighboring school system, a commitment to building strong relationships with parents, and a caring approach toward the academic and overall health of our students, she will certainly bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our school community. I'm excited to see the positive impact that she will make on our students, faculty, and families."

Ms. Dowling will begin in the summer in order to prepare for the start of school and her new home at Charter. Ms Dowling commented, ”I am honored and humbled to become a part of the PCS community. From the first moment I stepped on campus, I have seen, heard, and felt what all of you already know — that Princeton Charter is a mission-driven school that provides an exemplary choice for families who seek excellence in education. Serving as the new Assistant Head of School for the K-4 division, I am eager to build upon the solid foundation of strong academic programming with a complementary emphasis on the social and emotional wellbeing of every child in our care.

I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to forging meaningful relationships with the students, faculty/staff, and families as we continue to celebrate academic success and achievement.”

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