I am writing this from Catalina Island, where I have come almost yearly throughout my entire life, to relax and unwind. I hope that you, too, had an enjoyable summer.

Now that the 2010-11 school year has begun, I want to reflect for a moment on the past year, the last sixteen years, and the future. I started recruiting and placing teachers, administrators, and leaders in private and independent schools in 1994 almost as an accident, working alone in my home and later with one assistant, and then two.

Today I have an amazing and dedicated team at Cal/West Educators Placement who work hard every day for both candidates and schools, plus fabulous representatives and consultants across the U.S. who help us connect with the best people no matter where they are. Over the years we have interviewed thousands of applicants, ranging from experienced educators to those just beginning their teaching careers. We have also contributed to the education of many more thousands of K-12th grade students by matching countless candidates to positions in wonderful schools.

Our work is built on personal connections. It is always a pleasure to meet with leaders of schools throughout the country and keep our connections alive. We also get important feedback from the members of our Advisory Board, who tell us about their challenges and successes and help us do the best possible job of supporting their endeavors.

One ongoing Cal/West goal, which mirrors the objective of many schools, is increasing the diversity of those professionals who work in independent schools. We are proud to point out that the number of educators of color who are hired is close to thirty percent of our total placements.

Another aspect of our work which has evolved and expanded is the recruitment and placement of Senior Leaders, including Heads of School, Associate and Assistant Heads, Division Heads, and Directors of Admission and Development. I want to thank the many school representatives who have entrusted us to manage these searches for their communities.

As we begin recruiting (which is a year-round process) and placement for Fall 2011, my team and I look forward to meeting and getting to know hundreds of prospective candidates, and helping them to find "The Perfect Match" for their abilities, goals, and aspirations.