Dr. Noni Thomas López Named Head Of Gordon School

From Gordon School: After an extensive nationwide search, The Gordon School, located at 45 Maxfield Avenue in East Providence, RI, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Noni Thomas López as Head of School, effective July 1, 2018. Dr. Thomas López will succeed Ralph Wales, Gordon School’s Head of School since 1994.

Dr. Thomas López brings more than two-decades of educational leadership to The Gordon School. She is currently the interim Principal of the Lower School at Ethical Culture Fieldston School (ECFS) in Bronx, New York, and holds a second role at ECFS as Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning. There, she oversees a school of 1,750 students, PreK-12, and 325 faculty and staff, and collaborates with trustees, administrators, division heads, department chairs and faculty on strategic initiatives and interdisciplinary programs.

“Dr. Thomas López is widely regarded as one of the nation's leading experts in multicultural education, and is uniquely qualified to lead the children, professionals and families of the Gordon School through the next years of the twenty-first century,” said George Matouk, Chairman, The Gordon School Board of Directors.

Prior to her role at Fieldston, Dr. Thomas López was Head of Middle School at the Nightingale-Bamford School, Middle School Director at the Calhoun School, and a middle school humanities teacher at Little Red Elisabeth Irwin School, all in New York. She has been a consultant to several New York City schools, a trustee at the Caedmon School, and a presenter at multiple conferences, including the National Association of Independent School’s People of Color Conference.

“For a woman and person of color who has been navigating the teaching and administrative terrain of independent schools for more than twenty years, Gordon is a school that loomed large in my imagination from my early days as an educator for being on the cutting edge of progressive pedagogy,” said Dr. Thomas López. “Gordon is needed in our world, now more than ever, and I am grateful for the opportunity to join in the important work of building a better world for our children.”

Dr. Thomas López is well suited to continue the work of current Head of School, Ralph Wales. Over his 23-year tenure, Wales was instrumental in shepherding Gordon to its current iteration as a highly-regarded, racially-diverse independent school with innovative educators and an academic program geared toward sustaining a child’s curiosity while honing their capacity for critical inquiry.

“As I begin this next chapter in my life, I’m so pleased the search committee was able to find such an intelligent and forward-thinking leader in Dr. Thomas López,” said Ralph Wales, Head of School. “I am proud of where the Gordon School is at this point in its evolution, representing an environment of inclusion and an unwavering focus on instilling the kind of education that will have a lasting impact on a child’s future success. I know Dr. Thomas López will continue on this path and strengthen the wonderful community at the Gordon School.”

“We interviewed so many qualified candidates from around the nation,” said Amanda Riegel, co-chair of the Gordon School search committee. “Dr. Thomas López’ academic philosophy runs parallel to our teachings at the Gordon School and her remarkable poise, confidence and rapport with faculty and students alike are a perfect match as the school moves into the next phase of its evolution.”

Dr. Thomas López holds a BA in English from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, an MA in Education Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

A current resident of New York, Dr. Thomas López will be moving with her family to Providence prior to starting her new role. Her interests include Latin/ballroom dancing, reading, meditation, strength training and coaching/mentoring.

About Gordon School

The Gordon School, situated in East Providence, Rhode Island, was founded in 1910 as the state’s only non-public coeducation school. Since then, the school has evolved into a socially-focused institution that offers students academic learning with applications beyond their classroom. With a practical hands-on, real-world instructional approach, each student comes to truly appreciate the value of multiple perspectives. Learning takes place among a diverse population of students and teachers who reflect the many cultures within Rhode Island’s community.

Educating children from nursery school through eighth grade, Gordon’s goal is to graduate intellectual leaders and joyful learners with true empathy; young people who will make a positive societal impact on their world.

For more information, please visit www.gordonschool.org.

Photo courtesy of Gordon School