The Sharon Academy has announced Mary Newman as the new head of school. Newman is currently the assistant head of school at TSA, where she also teaches Spanish, serves as the dean of faculty, the director of performing arts, and has been a long-time student advisor.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead a school that has been a part of my life for over a decade and has fundamentally shaped who I am as an educator,” Newman said. “Being able to step up into the role of Head of School is a profound honor.”
Since starting at TSA in 2008, Newman’s work has focused on both supporting and developing faculty as well as strengthening the curriculum and expanding educational opportunities for students. As a Spanish teacher, Newman prioritized integrating her teaching with opportunities for students to gain real world, immersive language experience; since 2008 she has led five student trips to various Spanish speaking countries.
“Mary’s love of and commitment to TSA is apparent to everyone who comes in contact with her,” said Board President John Roe. “After conducting a national search of highly qualified candidates and collecting lots of feedback from the school community when the three finalists visited the school, Mary was the clear choice to carry TSA forward into the future.”
Newman will succeed current Head of School Michael Livingston who is stepping down from the top position at the end of the academic year. Livingston has served at TSA for 20 years, helping to oversee the transformation of TSA from a nascent school of forty students to a prominent independent school serving 160 students from 20 communities throughout eastern Vermont.
“I couldn’t be happier with the board’s decision,” said Livingston. “Mary is one of the most thoughtful, dedicated, hardworking and intelligent educators I’ve ever met. Our students and community are incredibly fortunate to have her at the helm.”
Newman begins her new role as Head of School on July 1, 2020.
