Stoneleigh-Burnham School Makes History

Alumna as Next Head of School

04/02/2008

The Stoneleigh-Burnham School Board of Trustees has unanimously appointed Sally Leach Mixsell (pictured) as the next Head of School, effective July 1, 2008.  Ms. Mixsell is an alumna of Stoneleigh-Burnham School class of 1969. She has also served on the School's Board of Trustees from 1987 to 1991 and from 2001 to the present, most currently in the position of Advancement Chair.

Ms. Mixsell is the first alumna to hold the position of Head of School. A member of the first graduating class of the merged Stoneleigh-Burnham School, she brings to the position an intimate knowledge of the School and of the advantages of a single-sex education. Ms. Mixsell had this to say in her first address to the School community:

"I am honored to be moving into a position of greater influence at the school I love. Stoneleigh-Burnham School's commitment to educating girls, the rich history of traditions that connects us, the sense of tranquility one gets when coming up the tree-lined driveway, the exhilaration of Housemeeting, the anticipation of 100 Nights are some of the many reasons I feel so devoted to this community.  Suffice it to say that all of the unique aspects of Stoneleigh-Burnham made it easy for me to say yes when invited to serve as the next Head of School."

Ms. Mixsell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative French and American Literature from Wells College and a Master's Degree in Education Administration with a focus in private school leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University , where she was also a Klingenstein Fellow.

Her academic career has included teaching French, English, ESL and leadership in day and boarding schools in Connecticut and Pennsylvania and working in administration as a grade dean (grade 9), academic dean (grades 7-12) and director of curriculum and instruction (grades Pre-K-12).  Ms. Mixsell also served as project director, which included overseeing and instructing in the Leadership Academy  master's degree program, at the Klingenstein Center  for Independent School Education, Teachers College, Columbia University .  Since 2005, she has been an independent school consultant with the firm eduINNOVATIONS, of which she was a founding partner.

Ms. Mixsell will succeed Dr. Paul Bassett, who is retiring at the close of his two-year term as Head of School, on June 30, 2008. Dr. Bassett will continue on as faculty advisor for the Debate & Public Speaking Society, which he introduced to Stoneleigh-Burnham over 20 years ago and which has gone on to garner international acclaim. He will also continue to lead two of the School's summer programs, as well as continue to participate in special events and travel to meet with alumnae and friends of the School.  Stoneleigh-Burnham School has been fortunate to have Dr. Bassett engaged in the community as a parent, teacher, coach, and school leader for the past 27 years.

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Laura Richards '60, commented on the transition, "We are all looking forward to working with Ms. Mixsell to advance the mission of, in the words of Paul Bassett, 'this special place.'"