7 Questions with Leaders in the Education Sector

Name: N. Blair Fisher

Current title: Head of School

Current organisation: St. Paul's Episcopal School

I have worked in independent education for 26 years, spanning three independent schools. I began my career as a teacher, coach, and advisor, and from there spent seven years as a Dean of Students, five years as a division head, and now nine years as a head of school.

Name: Cameron Smith

Current title: CEO & Co-Founder

Current organisation: Bennett Day School

Cameron Smith is the CEO & Co-Founder of Bennett Day School in Chicago. He was inspired to create the school after the birth of his first son in 2010. As a new parent, he recognized that there are very few options for progressive independent schooling in Chicago. Many parents resort to moving to the suburbs when they would prefer to continue to live, work, and learn downtown. Both the motivation to innovate and a commitment to the city inspired the creation of Bennett Day School.

Cameron served on the Board of the Namaste Charter School where he was the Treasurer and Chair of the Investment Committee. A licensed attorney in Illinois, he is a member of the Education Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. As a member of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, Cameron is energized by the ideas and best practices he observes as a regular participant at educational conferences and gatherings. Cameron was previously a Vice President at private equity firm CHS Capital LLC in Chicago where he focused on investing in education and healthcare services companies. While at CHS, he served on the Board of Royall & Company, the leading provider of strategic enrollment marketing services to traditional colleges and universities. He currently serves on two external boards, and previously served on the non-profit Neighborhood Parent Network of Chicago (NPN) board. Cameron is also a member of the Chicago Chapter of Conscious Capitalism. He holds a B.S. degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania as well as J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Northwestern University.

Name: John Newton

Current title: Principal and CEO

Current organisation: Scotch College, Adelaide

Dr John H. Newton is the Principal of Scotch College Adelaide. He arrived and took up the position in January 2015. Originally from England, John and his wife Catherine moved to Adelaide from Taunton in the south west of the United Kingdom. John had been Headmaster of Taunton School for ten years before taking up his role at Scotch. They have four children. Their third child graduated from Scotch in 2016 and their younger son left in 2019. John is a graduate of Merton College Oxford with a degree in French and Russian. His PhD is in school management. A moderately talented musician and entertaining orator, John is partial to singing and has coached rugby, hockey, cricket, fives, rowing and football. He closely follows the fortunes of Manchester City Football Club.

Name: Evan J Hendrix

Current title: Principal/5th-8th Teacher

Current organisation: Dinuba Junior Academy

American; Educational Journey: 30+ yrs; Married/2 Children; 4 Countries; Educational Administration: Principal, Associate Dean; Professor; K-12 Departmental Teacher; 5th-8th Homeroom Teacher; Homeschooler; Corporate Trainer;

Name: Jacob Bush

Current title: School Administrator

Current organisation: Celeryville Christian School

I am currently serving my 8th year as the school administrator. I love serving the Lord in this capacity and enjoy the work that I get to partake in with my students and staff.
My beautiful wife, Rachel, and four daughters all are very supportive of my role at CCS.
I have served in education since 2008 and have enjoyed the journey!

Name: Steve Buuck

Current title: Chief Executive Officer

Current organisation: Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School

Steve began his professional career as a high school football coach and English teacher but moved into administration after 6 years. He has been a high school administrator for 26 years and currently serves as the CEO of Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School in fabulous Las Vegas, NV. Faith Lutheran is the largest Lutheran school in the country and the largest private school in the history of Nevada. Steve is blessed by his wife Julie, their three adult children, son-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Name: Kevin Macki

Current title: Principal

Current organisation: Horeb Christian School

I have been a full-time educator since 2005. I have been a classroom teacher, Mathematics Liaison, Professional Development Coordinator, and now Principal. All my different roles have served me well in my current role, allowing me to better understand the different complexities of leading an organization. I have a deep love for anyone in the field of education as I know the love we have for our students and the vital role we play in society.

Name: Donavan Reeder

Current title: Principal

Current organisation: Campion Academy

I have bee a Residence Hall dean for 31 years and Principal for 6 years.

Name: Duncan Byrne

Current title: Headmaster

Current organisation: Loughborough Grammar School

I have been the 35th Headmaster of Loughborough Grammar School since April 2016. Following a Modern Languages degree, I began my career in London with my first responsibility post as Head of MFL at Whitgift School. After this, I was Assistant Head at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, and Deputy Head (Academic) at Cheltenham College. At LGS, my focus has been to ensure boys engage fully with all aspects of school life, so that they can develop the empathy and collaborative skills that we help them to thrive as young adults.

Name: Travis Grulke

Current title: Superintendent of the LCMS Schools in Michigan

Current organisation: Michigan District, LCMS

I have been in education for the past 20 years since graduating from Concordia University, Ann Arbor. Currently serving as the Superintendent of Schools for the Michigan District, LCMS - work with the 145 schools throughout the state. Previously served in a similar capacity for the Ohio Lutheran Schools. Started my career as a middle school teacher before jumping into the role of principal.

Name: Joel R. Bicknell

Current title: Head of School

Current organisation: St. Andrew's Episcopal School - Amarillo

As a former meteorologist and professional stage director/actor, I have traveled a typically atypical path to independent school administration. My experiences have fed my professional life as a classroom teacher, coach, and administrator spanning PK-12 in four highly regarded independent schools. Throughout the past twenty years, these experiences fine-­tuned my educational philosophy and leadership style. As a cradle-Catholic, I am also intentional in living my vocation in Episcopal schools. That vocation has included 6 years as a classroom teacher, 11 years as a Branch Head (Principal), and 3.5 years as a Head of School.

Name: Guy Ayling

Current title: Head Master and Principal

Current organisation: Mount Kelly

Joined the teaching profession in 1994 following graduation from the University of St. Andrew's. Other than for three years in the state system in Japan, I have worked in independent boarding schools in the UK, as classroom teacher, Housemaster, Deputy Head and from 2012 as a Headmaster.