Vermont Academy Welcomes Dr. Jennifer Zaccara as Head of School
SAXTONS RIVER, VT - Dr. Jennifer Zaccara joins Vermont Academy as its eighteenth Head of School, effective July 1, 2017. Dr. Zaccara will serve as the Academy's first woman head of school, marking an important milestone in the school's one hundred and forty-one-year history.
“We welcome Dr. Jennifer Zaccara with great enthusiasm and anticipation for the vision, experience, and passion she brings to the leadership of Vermont Academy,” said Michael Choukas, Chairman of the Board. “We wish to thank Interim Head of School Stan Colla for his strong and capable leadership moving Vermont Academy forward during the past school year. Stan and Jennifer have worked closely together to maintain our strong momentum and ensure a smooth transition of leadership.”
A native of Connecticut, Dr. Zaccara graduated from Trinity College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Arts degree in English with distinction. She received her doctorate in English from the University of Connecticut, where she graduated with honors and is published on Mark Twain.
"Vermont Academy has recruited a gifted educator and leader in Dr. Zaccara to write the next chapter of its venerable history," noted Colla. "I am excited to watch her engage with this vibrant community of learners to forge a new vision and direction for the school."
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A native of Connecticut, Dr. Zaccara graduated from Trinity College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Arts degree in English with distinction. She received her doctorate in English from the University of Connecticut, where she graduated with honors and is published on Mark Twain.
"Vermont Academy has recruited a gifted educator and leader in Dr. Zaccara to write the next chapter of its venerable history," noted Colla. "I am excited to watch her engage with this vibrant community of learners to forge a new vision and direction for the school."
Dr. Zaccara joins Vermont Academy from The Nightingale-Bamford School in New York City where she served as Associate Head of School since 2013. Prior to that, she was Associate Dean of Faculty at the Taft School in Watertown, CT, a coed boarding and day school with 594 students. An educator her entire career, Jennifer is delighted by her appointment. "I am particularly excited to begin my work at Vermont Academy at a decisive moment in its history. Vermont Academy has a long tradition of superior teaching and learning opportunities in experiential contexts both locally and internationally in China, Chile, and Spain. Our integrated approach to math, science, engineering, and art enables students to continue to be the entrepreneurs and tinkerers who have long populated campus—proving every day that managing and cultivating passions is just as important as self-awareness about how we learn and work. At a community level, I look forward to meeting residents of Saxtons River and neighboring areas to find ways for Vermont Academy to strengthen and deepen its role in Vermont life.”
During Dr. Zaccara's tenure at Nightingale, a day school for girls in grades K-12 with 592 students, she led several new initiatives including the development of the Nightingale Summer Academy; ongoing work on an eight-day rotational schedule; strategically utilizing new spaces to meld programming with design; and a campaign for global education. She created cohorts focused on technology, faculty workload and experience, and diversity, culture, and inclusivity to drive innovation throughout the school. Dr. Zaccara oversaw the new faculty immersion program, which focused on pedagogical techniques, growth mindsets, collaboration, interdisciplinary work, and using NYC as a classroom. She managed strategic internal change, including STEM/STEAM curriculum, design thinking and coding initiatives, and innovative uses of spaces.
While at Taft, Jennifer taught English for many years, winning several teaching honors, as well as advising and coaching. Expanding her 12-year career there, she was appointed Mid Class Dean, leading 65-75 students each year, followed by being named English Department Head and then Associate Dean of Faculty. Earlier in her career, Dr. Zaccara spent five years at The Winsor School, a girls' college prep school for day students in grades 5–12 in Boston, MA and was a visiting assistant professor at Trinity College.
Jennifer is looking forward to welcoming students, faculty, and local residents to her new home in the heart of campus, along with her dogs, Copperfield and Brontë. Her two sons, Bryce and Keefe Rafferty, live in Denver, CO and San Diego, CA respectively. Bryce graduated from Colorado College and is applying to law school, while Keefe graduated from the Naval Academy and is a Lieutenant Junior Grade on the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier.
During Dr. Zaccara's tenure at Nightingale, a day school for girls in grades K-12 with 592 students, she led several new initiatives including the development of the Nightingale Summer Academy; ongoing work on an eight-day rotational schedule; strategically utilizing new spaces to meld programming with design; and a campaign for global education. She created cohorts focused on technology, faculty workload and experience, and diversity, culture, and inclusivity to drive innovation throughout the school. Dr. Zaccara oversaw the new faculty immersion program, which focused on pedagogical techniques, growth mindsets, collaboration, interdisciplinary work, and using NYC as a classroom. She managed strategic internal change, including STEM/STEAM curriculum, design thinking and coding initiatives, and innovative uses of spaces.
While at Taft, Jennifer taught English for many years, winning several teaching honors, as well as advising and coaching. Expanding her 12-year career there, she was appointed Mid Class Dean, leading 65-75 students each year, followed by being named English Department Head and then Associate Dean of Faculty. Earlier in her career, Dr. Zaccara spent five years at The Winsor School, a girls' college prep school for day students in grades 5–12 in Boston, MA and was a visiting assistant professor at Trinity College.
Jennifer is looking forward to welcoming students, faculty, and local residents to her new home in the heart of campus, along with her dogs, Copperfield and Brontë. Her two sons, Bryce and Keefe Rafferty, live in Denver, CO and San Diego, CA respectively. Bryce graduated from Colorado College and is applying to law school, while Keefe graduated from the Naval Academy and is a Lieutenant Junior Grade on the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier.
Dr. Zaccara's appointment was facilitated by a search committee comprised of board members, alumni, former parents, and faculty. Wickenden Associates, a highly respected national educational search firm, assisted Vermont Academy throughout the search.
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
