"I am elated to have Melissa join our team at Swain," said incoming Head of School Dr. Shannan Boyle Schuster. "She brings a wealth of experience as well as an expertise in teaching and learning that will greatly benefit our youngest students."

Most recently Mrs. Carroll served as Assistant Head of School at Buckingham Friends School, a K-8 school located in Lahaska, PA. There she was active in leading professional development, integrating technology, providing curricular programming, engaging in strategic planning and overseeing day-to-day operations. Prior to Buckingham Friends, she spent 16 years at Newtown Friends School in Newtown, PA, as a classroom teacher. At Newtown, she was instrumental in curriculum development, mentoring new faculty, and serving as Clerk of Faculty and Faculty Representative to the Board. Additionally, she coordinated intergenerational programming and volunteer placement.

Mrs. Carroll has led workshops on technology, curriculum development, study skills and alternative assessment in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She has also served on accreditation teams for the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools.

She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia and an M.A. in Curriculum, Instruction and Supervision from Rider University. She has attended summer Reading and Writing Institutes offered by Teachers College at Columbia University. In 2013, she completed a two-year administrative leadership program through Philadelphia's Friends Council on Education.

Mrs. Carroll writes, "From the minute I stepped on campus, I recognized the warmth of the community and passion of the faculty. I was drawn to the school's mission and impressed by the many ways academic excellence, self-confidence, creativity and compassion were evidenced throughout the school. As an educator and leader, I am proud to be joining the Swain community at this exciting time in the school's history." She and her husband, Thomas, reside in Fallsington, PA, where they enjoy working on home improvement projects and spending time with their two children, Joe, 23 and Annie, 16. Our new administrator is an avid reader, gardener, and quilter.

Thank you for your attention to this important announcement. Over the coming months Melissa Carroll will begin working with our faculty and staff in anticipation of her July 1 start date. I know you will join me in welcoming her.

Sincerely,

David Hursty
Interim Head of School