PS-5TH GRADE
Head of School Search at The Island School
We are pleased to share that we have engaged Educators Collaborative to partner with us in both the interim Head of School and permanent Head of School searches.
Head of School Search Contact
Search Updates
June 2026
The position profile for the permanent Head of School is now available. View the job description on Educators Collaborative's website.
May 22, 2026
We are pleased to announce that Marja Brandon will serve as Interim Head of School for the 2026–2027 school year, beginning July 6. Read Board Chair Greer Dunn’s letter announcing Marja’s appointment below, and Marja's own message to The Island School community is included as well.
Dear Island School Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am very pleased to share that we have hired Marja Brandon as Interim Head of School for The Island School beginning July 6, 2026.
We are thrilled to welcome Marja to The Island School community. Marja brings more than 30 years of experience as a Head of School, educational leader, and innovator. Most recently, she has been serving as Interim Head of School for SOLA, the School of Leadership Afghanistan, where she has been helping guide the school through a major transition while preparing a new campus in Rwanda.
Throughout her career, Marja has led a wide range of independent schools, including Childpeace Montessori School in Portland, Beacon Academy in Illinois, Woodland School in Portola Valley, and the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. She was also the founding Head of Seattle Girls’ School, where she helped build an innovative and student-centered school from the ground up.
What stood out most during the search process was Marja’s warmth, authenticity, and deep commitment to children and school communities. Her leadership philosophy centers on joyful and creative learning, inclusive communities, strong relationships, and keeping students at the center of decision-making. She also brings extensive experience in progressive education, anti-bias work, neuroscience-informed learning, and supporting schools through periods of transition and growth.
Below is a note from Marja, shared in her own words:
“I am truly thrilled and honored to be joining you this summer as your Interim Head of School and cannot wait to get to know you all. Throughout the search process I was struck by the warmth and deeply rooted care this community has for one another and for the mission of the school. As soon as I read, ‘Learning with Joy. Leading with Kindness.’ I felt this was the school for me.
I have been a Head of School for more than 30 years, and keep what is best for the child at the center of all decisions. I am a long-time Seattle resident (although this last year I have been on assignment in Rwanda!) and am delighted to be coming home. I have a passion for the natural world, anti-bias work, and neuroscience. I have four delightful children (well, now adults truthfully) and an incredible partner (who used to work on Bainbridge) who also happens to be Deaf. We are an unusual family, multiracial, bilingual, and close. I cannot wait to get to know all of your wonderful families.
With Amanda’s support and leadership, we will work together to make this transition as smooth as possible and continue to hold the school with care and joy as we all move forward together.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon!
Take care,
Marja”
We look forward to welcoming Marja to our community this summer.
Warmly,
Greer Dunn
Board Chair, The Island School Board of Trustees
March 26, 2026
Below, you can read the original announcements from Amanda Ward and Board Chair Greer Dunn, which share more about this transition. We are grateful for Amanda’s leadership and invite you to find updates here on our Head of School search and interim head plans.
March 25, 2026
Dear Island School community,
I am writing to share that I will be stepping down as Head of School at the conclusion of this academic year.
This was an incredibly difficult decision to make given my deep love for this school community. For nearly 20 years, The Island School has been an anchor for my family. It has shaped my son into the kind and curious individual he is today and provided me the profound opportunity to grow as a leader. Every day, I have the privilege of spending time with committed educators, joyful children, and families who are partners in our mission. I will deeply miss these daily interactions.
This choice comes after several months of reflection on both the school’s future and my own professional journey. Through that process, I have realized that my heart is calling me back toward instructional leadership where my passion for education first began.
Please know that I am fully dedicated to ensuring a seamless and successful leadership transition. The faculty and staff here are the soul of The Island School. Their innovation and devotion inspire me every day. I have total confidence that, alongside our dedicated Board of Trustees, they will continue to nurture our mission with the same brilliance I have witnessed for two decades.
While I will not be a daily presence at The Island School next year, my heart will remain with this extraordinary school and the amazing individuals who bring it to life each day. I will continue to champion the mission and impact of this community from afar.
With gratitude and pride,
Amanda
Dear Island School Community,
On March 25, Amanda Ward shared with our community that she will be stepping down as Head of School at the conclusion of this school year. On behalf of the Board, we extend our sincere gratitude for Amanda’s leadership and for the many contributions she has made to The Island School during her tenure. She has served the school with thoughtfulness, integrity, and a deep and abiding commitment to our students and community.
Amanda guided The Island School through a period of significant challenge and growth. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked closely with faculty and staff to reimagine how school could safely and meaningfully continue, including the creation of outdoor classroom experiences and the return to in-person learning in fall 2020. Her steady leadership helped preserve continuity, connection, and stability for our students and families during an uncertain time.
In the years since, Amanda has worked with equal care and intention to strengthen the school’s foundation for the future. She collaborated with the community to develop a Diversity Statement and partnered with the Board to establish long-term financial and facilities plans. She also worked with the Board to refine our vision and mission, ensuring a shared understanding of who we are and where we are headed.
Amanda also led the school through re-accreditation with the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, engaging in a collaborative process that affirmed the quality and strength of our program. She leaves The Island School well positioned for the future, with a clear strategic direction, strong financial reserves, and a solid foundation on which to build.
And yet, for all of these accomplishments, what so many of us will remember most about Amanda is the way she shows up each day for our students. She is a Head of School who truly knows them—who stands outside in the morning to greet them by name, who pauses to listen, to ask a question, to share a laugh. She is approachable, kind, and deeply present. Amanda has continued to lead a culture where students feel seen and known, and that is a gift that will endure.
The Board of Trustees is now beginning the next phase of our transition planning. In the coming weeks, we will initiate a search for an Interim Head of School to serve through the next school year. At the same time, we will begin a thoughtful and inclusive process during the 2026–2027 school year to identify the school’s next long-term Head of School. We are committed to keeping the community informed throughout this process.
We are grateful to Amanda for the care, energy and heart she has given to The Island School. Opportunities to recognize and celebrate her contributions will be shared in the months ahead.
With Gratitude,
Greer Dunn
Board President & Current Parent
Search Timeline
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Search Firm Identified: April 2026
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Educators Collaborative Consultant Visit: May 11, 2026
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Hire Interim Head of School: Late May
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Search for New Permanent Head of School Begins: September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
No—our school remains strong and stable. Recent role adjustments reflect positive personal milestones: one long-time staff member (20+ years) has scaled back their role because they are nearing retirement and they want to enjoy travel and adventures; another desired more flexibility for their annual long treks; and Amanda is returning to her passion for instructional leadership after 17+ years in the classroom. These are individual choices, not signs of issues.
Yes! The Island School has no debt and healthy reserves. It is in a solid financial position.
No. The Board of Trustees with input from faculty, staff and families recently revised the school’s mission and vision. Those beliefs will continue to guide the school and its priorities.
Appointing an interim Head of School lets the Board—guided by community input—assess our priorities and evolving needs before a full national search for the permanent leader. Interims, common in independent schools, bridge outgoing and incoming heads by offering fresh strategies, operational improvements, faculty coaching, and professional development. This approach ensures continuity while we thoughtfully seek the best long-term fit for our mission.
Absolutely not. Our faculty and staff remain fully focused on providing the exceptional education and nurturing environment that defines our school. The search process has been carefully designed to run in the background without affecting classroom instruction, programs, or the supportive community your child depends on. Throughout this transition, our commitment to each student's growth and well-being remains our top priority.
The Board of Trustees holds final responsibility for appointing both the interim Head of School and our next permanent Head, with support from a consultancy firm. A search committee will guide the process, which will include members of staff, faculty, and board with the permanent search starting in fall 2026.
The Board is currently selecting a professional search consulting firm to guide the hiring of both the interim Head of School and our next permanent Head. This expertise will ensure a thorough, thoughtful process aligned with our school’s mission. We’ll share the detailed timeline with the community as soon as it’s finalized.
We’ll share regular updates on the search process through emails to our community and right here on this webpage, with key milestones posted as they occur.