Sewickley Academy Appoints Chris Anderson as Associate Head of School

“After a multi-day interview process during which Chris met with faculty, staff, and administration, as well as parent and student representatives, the feedback I received was unanimously positive,” said Dr. Birtwell. “I had numerous faculty from across our three divisions ask me to hire her before she left campus.”

 

Ms. Anderson joins Sewickley Academy after a very successful career at the prestigious Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, where she has spent the last five years as the Academic Dean for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. In this role, she worked to strengthen the curriculum and build the instructional and leadership capacities of faculty, department chairs, and division heads. She also coordinated academic initiatives, professional development, and day-to-day operations of academic life.

 

Ms. Anderson previously worked at Sewickley Academy from 1995 to 2011 as a member of the Senior School Mathematics Department and Math Department Chair. She was awarded the 2010-11 Clark Faculty Chair, named for former Headmaster Ham Clark, which recognizes a master teacher, trusted colleague, and valued peer mentor among the Academy’s faculty.

 

“As Associate Head of School, Chris will be responsible for academic strategy and operations, including curriculum and staffing,” Dr. Birtwell added. “She offers valuable experience that will be tremendously helpful to us from the start, having developed a cross-divisional department chair structure as well as a Pre-K through 12 Computer Science program, both of which are initiatives we are in the midst of at SA. Chris is also experienced in guiding DEI reflection and practices. I am confident she will make a positive and meaningful impact on our academic direction, faculty development, student experience, and overall community.”

 

Ms. Anderson graduated from West Virginia University with highest honors, earning a B.S. in Business Administration. She received her professional certificate in secondary mathematics education at the University of Pittsburgh and earned a Master's Degree from Duquesne University where she concentrated on curriculum, administration, and supervision. She recently earned a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from the Harvard Business School and Harvard Graduate School of Education.