Gifft Hill School’s Board of Trustees has announced this week the appointment of Liz Kinsella as the new head of school. She will rise to this position when Ken Mills, the current head of school, departs on June 30.
Kinsella has been with Gifft Hill since 2010. She’s worked as a teacher, middle school dean, upper campus principal, curriculum director and, most recently, associate head of school. She earned a BA in sociology and a masters of teaching degree from the University of Virginia, where she also earned an education specialist and administrative endorsement.
Kinsella worked in public education in Fairfax, Va., rising to associate principal before she moved to Bermuda to work as education program director for the Bermuda Sloop Foundation.
Her dedication to Gifft Hill School and to the St. John community at large has been proven during her decade-plus tenure with the school, said GHS Board of Trustees President Ruth Doan.
“Now is the time for her to fill the head of school position,” said Doan. “There’s a strong alignment between the board’s vision for the school and Liz’s own ambitions for the school’s next steps. The board is committed to collaborative efforts that honor the voices of all stakeholders, and this commitment is something that’s important to Liz as well.”
Kinsella said her objective as the incoming head of school will be to lead GHS educators in challenging, supporting and inspiring students while preparing them for colleges, careers and their roles as environmental and social justice advocates. She will continue to foster the school’s focus on rigorous and authentic learning experiences.
“What I love about Gifft Hill School is that it’s such an integral part of the community,” said Kinsella. “Everything we do is grounded in serving the needs of our community and in preparing students for the opportunities that lie ahead. I love that as an independent school, we have the freedom to build programs that affirm the history and heritage of our community while also welcoming people who seek to join us in discovering and celebrating who we are individually and who we can be together.”
As a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, Gifft Hill School serves St. John as the island’s only toddler through 12th grade institution. It provides high-quality educational programming to more than 170 students, many of whom are supported in their learning by scholarships, grants and financial aid.
The board of trustees is made up of business owners, parents, academics and grandparents, all of whom actively support the island of St. John in many different ways. The time they volunteer and their personal generosity as donors are testament to their commitment to GHS, to education on St. John and their passion for this community. Please visit www.giffthillschool.org for more information.