Bethany School is seeking a new permanent Head of School to continue our near 130 years of changing the lives of young people. Please visit this page regularly for updates as we search for and select the best individual to lead us into the future. You are a vital part of our school community and we appreciate your support in this process!
Click below to learn more about the following areas:
Our Search Committee has been working diligently, and after a thorough review process, we are excited to share that we have identified a strong group of four finalists for our Head of School position and are confident that these candidates possess the vision and leadership to guide our school into a bright future!
We are now preparing for the next crucial stage, which is on campus finalist visits/interviews.
These on campus visits have taken/will take place on the following schedule:*
- Candidate One: Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd
- Candidate Two: Thursday, October 23rd and Friday, October 24th
- Candidate Three: Monday, October 27th and Tuesday, October 28th
- Candidate Four: Wednesday, November 5th and Thursday, November 6th
We want to provide our community with the opportunity to engage with these individuals, and we will be hosting various sessions for parents, faculty, and staff. Regular emails, social media posts, and website updates will be made to share the most up to date schedules.
There will be two opportunities each visit for direct parent engagement. Please read below for full details.
*All dates and times are subject to change. Prompt communication will be made if any edits are necessary.
Candidate One: Ms. Mary E. Mitchell
Our first of our four finalists to visit campus was Ms. Mary E. Mitchell.
She had a two-day visit taking place on Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd.
You can learn more about Ms. Mitchell by reviewing her bio, which you can access using the link below:
To view her entire visit schedule, click here:
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on her visit and your experiences with her!
Candidate Two: Mr. TJ Mackey
The second of our four finalists to visit campus is Mr. TJ Mackey.
His two-day visit took place on Thursday, October 23rd and Friday, October 24th.
You can learn more about Mr. Mackey by reviewing his bio, which you can access using the link below:
To view his entire visit schedule, click here:
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on his visit and your experiences with him!
Candidate Three: Ms. Julie Porter, Ed. D.
The third of our four finalists to visit campus is Ms. Julie Porter, Ed. D.
Her two-day visit took place on Monday, October 27th and Tuesday, October 28th.
You can learn more about Ms. Porter by reviewing her bio, which you can access using the link below:
To view her entire visit schedule, click here:
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on her visit and your experiences with her!
Candidate Four: Dr. Fabio Hurtado
The fourth finalist to visit campus is Dr. Fabio Hurtado.
He had a two-day visit taking place on Wednesday, November 5th and Thursday, November 6th.
You can learn more about Dr. Hurtado by reviewing his bio, which you can access using the link below:
To view his entire visit schedule, click here:
Please provide input from your experiences with Dr. Hurtado by completing this survey: Dr. Fabio Hurtado Survey.
It will close at 11:59 pm on Friday, November 7th.
Guiding the search: IndySchool Consultancy
IndySchool Consultancy specializes in independent school leadership searching and placement.
Guiding Bethany in our search is:
Tim Viands: Tim has over two decades of extensive experience in independent schools as a teacher, administrator and school leader. He has developed innovative models of learning in day and boarding schools in the US and has vast experience in international education. During that time, Tim has developed an innovative approach to hiring (Competency Based Hiring) and to strategic planning (The d4 Process).
He started IndySchool Consultancy because the Stone Age process of hiring school leaders is broken, with shorter tenures and abrupt departures. As a former head, he founded this forward-thinking firm to make a difference. Tim felt there was a better way in which firms interacted with their clients. Much of IndySchool Consultancy’s search model is based off of the frustrations Tim and countless heads of school had when working with search firms.
Search Committee
The Bethany School Board of Trustees has organized and established a Search Committee to work alongside Tim Viands and IndySchool Consultancy to review and evaluate possible candidates to become our permanent Head of School, to begin July 1, 2026. Careful consideration was given in the assembly of the committee to ensure that all interests from our Bethany School community are represented in the selection process.The Search Committee, after a thorough assessment and vetting of candidates, will make a formal recommendation to the Board for approval.
Search Committee Membership:
- Angela Phillips, Search Committee Chair: Board Member, Alumni Parent
- Parul Bawa, Member: Former Board Member/Chair, Alumni Parent
- Gale Bush, Member: Bethany School Teacher
- Sister Diana Doncaster, Member: Board Member, Sister Superior, Society of the Transfiguration
- Karen Donnelly, Member: Board Member, Alumni Parent
- Rogelle Hackworth, Member: Board Member/Former Chair, Alumni/Current Parent
- Rodney Hardin, Member: Current Parent
- Mark Phair, Member: Bethany School Director of Advancement
- LaRhonda Preston, Member: Board Secretary, Current Parent
- Chethan Ramprasad, ‘04, Member: Board Member, Alumnus
- Nakia Smith, Member: Treasurer, Bethany Educators and Parents (BEAP), Current Parent
OCTOBER 2025
- The Search Committee reveals four finalists for the Head of School position.
SEPTEMBER 2025
- Tim Viands of IndySchool Consultancy assesses and evaluates all applicants, providing a list of highly qualified semifinalists.
- The Search Committee interviews semifinalists for Head of School and selects four finalists to invite to campus for in-person visits and interviews.
AUGUST 2025
- Search Committee has first organizational meeting, reviews selection process and timeline.
- Window for interested applicants closes on 8/31.
JULY 2025
- Application window opened for candidates to submit their resume for consideration to IndySchool Consultancy.
- The Search Committee continues to be organized.
JUNE 2025
- Board of Trustees shares constituents survey to Bethany School community seeking input on most important and critical qualities and characteristics for a new Head of School.
- IndySchool Consultancy begins work in searching for strong candidates.
- Search Committee leadership established, assembly of committee begins.
MAY 2025
- Board of Trustees share than an official permanent Head of School transition has begun and they will undertake a national search for the next Head of School.
View formal letter from the Board of Trustees here. - IndySchool Consultancy is introduced as our official partner in our Head of School search.
- Tim Viands of IndySchool Consultancy visits Bethany School campus and meets with key stakeholders to learn more about the needs of school and key characteristics, strengths, and abilities needed of the next permanent Head of School.
- Dr. Jasmine B. Harris is introduced as Interim Head of School for the 2025-2026 school year, visits campus to meet with school community on Monday, May 19th.