Dear Shipley Families:

It is with truly mixed emotions that I write to inform you that Tom Nammack, our longstanding and superb Head of Upper School, will be stepping down on June 30, 2005 to become the Headmaster of Montclair Kimberley Academy in Montclair, NJ. While I am very excited for Tom and MKA, I and the rest of our community will sorely miss him. Tom has done an extraordinary job during his twelve years as Head of Upper School and sixteen years as a member of our faculty, and we have been incredibly fortunate to have him with us for all these years. Bright, talented, committed, and genuinely funny, he is among the finest educators I have ever met. It is easy to understand the reason that MKA is so excited to hire him. (I have enclosed a copy of the MKA announcement of Tom’s appointment, which I think you will enjoy reading.)

During Tom’s tenure he has built an exceptional Upper School, working with a gifted group of teachers and staff in developing a challenging and appropriate curriculum in a caring and supportive environment. Under his direction, the focus of the division has always been the students. With the superior work he has done as Upper School Head and as the Co-Chair of the 2004 Strategic Plan, it is clear that his legacy will transcend his time at Shipley.

In losing Tom, we also lose his exceptional wife, Zandi, and their two wonderful children, Marion and Travers, both of whom are in our Middle School. Zandi has been a member of our faculty for twenty-two years. An unusually gifted and versatile teacher, she has taught a range of science and math classes and has for the last six years served as our scheduler in Middle and Upper Schools. She has been an invaluable member of this community, and she, too, will be sorely missed by her many friends and colleagues.

While it is a great relief that Tom and Zandi will continue doing their jobs throughout the rest of the year, it will be very difficult to see them move on. Replacing them will be no easy task, and we need to do it slowly and carefully. In Tom’s case, it is particularly important for us to reflect on our situation and be sure to make a long-term appointment that is consistent with the needs and philosophy of the school.

During the 2005-06 school year, we will conduct a national search to find a permanent Head of Upper School. In the meantime, we are fortunate to have an extraordinary team in place to help us to take over Tom’s responsibilities. For the 2005-06 school year, Margaret van Steenwyk, who has served as Assistant Head of Upper School and Academic Dean, will serve as the Interim Head of Upper School, and Jamie Neilson, who has been our Dean of Students, will step in as Interim Associate Head of Upper School. Margaret and Jamie have done their jobs in an effective manner, and they represent the ideals and convictions that make our Upper School so special. Other deans and members of the faculty will pick up other duties.

To replace Zandi, we will look inside the school first before opening up a search to find someone who can handle the complexities of her job. We’re hoping to appoint someone in such a way that Zandi can work with him or her to learn the software and scheduling process. Fortunately, Zandi is already committed to building our schedules for the 2005-06 school year.

While it will be difficult to see Tom, Zandi, Marion, and Travers leave Shipley, the move is in their best interests. Wonderful educators, dear friends, and fabulous people, they have played instrumental roles in the growth of this school. Their impact will be felt for generations to come, and we will find ways to acknowledge them appropriately as the year goes on. When you see them, be sure to congratulate them and thank them. They epitomize the essence of this school.

Warmest regards,
         
Steven S. Piltch
Head of School

November 19, 2004

Dear Members of the MKA Community,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it is with considerable pleasure that I am able to announce the appointment of Thomas W. Nammack as Headmaster of The Montclair Kimberley Academy effective July 1, 2005.

Tom brings with him a wealth of experience in independent school education, together with personal qualities that made him the unequivocal first choice of the Search Committee.  Tom received his bachelor’s degree in History from Brown University, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.  He taught at the Adirondack Mountain School, NY, The Purnell School in NJ, and the Lawrence Academy, MA before joining the faculty of The Shipley School, PA seventeen years ago. Tom enjoyed a meteoric rise at Shipley, rapidly moving from history teacher and soccer coach to Dean of Students and then to Head of the Upper School, a position he has held for the past eleven years.   A beloved and respected leader at Shipley, his Headmaster perhaps best sums up Tom’s strengths: “Universally beloved, he’s the best there is.  He has great perseverance and great vision.  He will make a difference.”

Tom, together with his wife Zandi, a teacher by profession and a graduate of St. George’s School, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania, and their two middle school age children, are excited to join us as we are excited to have them.  On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I know you will join me in welcoming them to the MKA community with open arms and the confidence that comes with knowledge that the School will be in strong, caring and capable hands eager to build upon Peter Greer’s legacy.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of the members of the Search Committee for their tireless but successful efforts in the service of MKA.

Sincerely

Newton B. Schott, Jr.
President, Board of Trustees