Shipley School Announces New Head Of School

BRYN MAWR, PA – After nearly 30 years of Steve Piltch serving as the Head of School at Bryn Mawr's Shipley School, a new Head of School has been announced.

The Board of Trustees of The Shipley School announced the appointment of Michael G. Turner as its 1oth Head of School. Turner is currently the Head of School at St. Michael’s Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia. He will begin his duties on July 1, 2019 at the conclusion of the Shipley School’s 125th anniversary celebration.

Turner will succeed Piltch, who is retiring at the end of the 2018-2019 school year after serving as Head of School for nearly 30 years. Piltch announced his retirement in January 2018.

The search committee considered input from trustees, colleagues, families, students, and alumni to ensure a thorough, inclusive, and transparent process that reflects Shipley’s culture.

"The Search Committee greatly benefited from, and appreciated, the engagement and enthusiasm of the entire Shipley community throughout the duration of the process to identify the School’s tenth Head of School," said Lisa Schoenberg, Co-Chair of the Search Committee. "The Committee is indebted to the extraordinary guidance of seasoned educators and administrators, including John Fry (Drexel University) and Tom Nammack (Montclair Kimberley Academy)."

"Michael is a forward-thinking, compassionate, and experienced Head of School," said Brooksley Wylie, Chair of the Board of Trustees. "Michael will bring outstanding leadership and management to the School, as well as a strong personal and professional commitment to diversity and inclusion, educational excellence, and student well-being. The Board was impressed with Michael’s transformative leadership at St. Michael’s and looks forward to working with him to move Shipley forward."

Following a headmaster of 47 years, Turner has guided St. Michael’s through a time of remarkable transition and growth. Under his leadership the school developed a new strategic plan, built a new Lower School facility to unify the School onto a 70-acre campus, launched an associated $4.2 million capital campaign, hired outstanding education professionals, increased faculty diversity, updated the School’s marketing and communications, and expanded enrollment, including a 20 percent increase in the Middle School.

Turner has served as a Board member and Chair of the Virginia Diversity Network, which provides professional development and programming for independent schools throughout Virginia. He has chaired and vice chaired accreditation teams for the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. He is currently completing a Doctorate of Education at The College of William & Mary. Before leading St. Michael’s, Turner was Director of Upper and Middle School Admission, as well as a teacher, advisor, and coach, at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, VA.

Turner returns to the Philadelphia region where he has deep roots. He and his wife, Meredith, are graduates of Germantown Academy, where they both began their teaching careers. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from the University of Pennsylvania, where he won multiple senior honor awards, captained the football team, and was a two-time Academic All-Ivy recipient. He holds a Master of Education from Arcadia University. Early in his career he worked as an Assistant Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia during the Rendell administration.

"I’ve known Michael from afar for many years and have long been impressed with his enthusiasm, energy, and his commitment to K-12 education," said Piltch. "He believes in our kids and our mission, and I’m confident that he will ask the important questions and do the things necessary to lead our community into an even brighter future."

Turner aspires to build upon Piltch’s 27-year legacy and Shipley’s 125 years of success.

"It is rare for a school of Shipley’s caliber to possess so much potential," Turner said. "I am eager to help advance Shipley’s strategic plan, Vision 20/26."

Vision 20/26 focuses on programmatic priorities of excellence and innovation in learning and curriculum, a belief that student well-being enhances the academic experience and each student’s ability to achieve, a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion for all members of the community, and the long term sustainability of the School.

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