The Shipley School is delighted to share that Tim Bickhart has been appointed as Shipley’s next Head of Lower School, effective July 1, 2025.

Tim brings with him more than three decades of experience as an elementary educator and school leader in our region, including many years in Haverford Township and Upper Dublin School Districts and most recently serving in Upper Merion Area School District. Tim stood out for many reasons throughout the search process. The committee was impressed by his long record of strong school leadership, his genuine joy and passion for education, and his ability to build inclusive, thriving school communities. His deep respect for teachers, his commitment to collaboration with families, and his enthusiasm for the important work of primary school education all reflect a powerful alignment with Shipley’s mission and values.

Tim is already a member of the Shipley community. He, his spouse, Jeannie, and their two sons, Henry ’28 and Jack ’33, joined Shipley last year. While he has long had personal connections to many within our School community and has respected Shipley's work from a distance, his own experience as an independent school student led to his sons' enrollment here. His recognition of the power in the student experience here made a deep impression and led directly to his eagerness to apply for this position.

He says, “It is with both humility and great pride that I accept your invitation to be the next Head of the Lower School at Shipley, and I look forward to serving the students, colleagues, and families with courage and grace.”

We are thrilled to welcome Tim into this new leadership role at Shipley and are excited for the future of the Lower School under his guidance. Please join us in congratulating and warmly welcoming Tim Bickhart as our next Head of Lower School.