Meredith Godley Named Associate Head of School and Academic Dean

Head of School Julia de la Torre made the following announcement to the school community on January 15:

I am pleased to announce that Upper School Director Meredith Godley will transition to the position of Associate Head of School and Academic Dean, effective July 1. Meredith will replace Chris Kimberly who was appointed Head of School at Friends Meeting School in Maryland. Meredith is in the midst of her third year as Upper School Director. She will continue in this role through June, and a national search for her successor will begin immediately.

A leader of the highest caliber, Meredith brings incredible integrity, clarity, vision, and joy to her work at Moorestown Friends School. With extensive experience in Friends education, she is a keen listener and a seasoned expert at bringing disparate views together around a common goal. Meredith is a wonderful advocate for students, especially tuned into how young people navigate their busy lives, and how we as a school can best support them in their growth and development. An active contributor in this year’s strategic planning process, Meredith is poised and ready to oversee the academic program and operations of the school, while partnering with me to shape the future of MFS. We are fortunate to have someone so skilled already on staff who can step seamlessly into the position and contribute meaningfully to the school.

As Upper School Director, Meredith has streamlined and strengthened the Intensive Learning program, introduced restorative practices to support students, and initiated an exciting new partnership with the University of Pennsylvania on social entrepreneurship, among other accomplishments. Prior to her current position, Meredith served as the Director of College Counseling at MFS for seven years. She taught Upper School Spanish during that span and co-designed the acclaimed MFS Peer Leadership program, which began in 2014.

Meredith previously worked as Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Director of College Counseling, and as a Spanish teacher at Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, NJ. Prior to Wardlaw-Hartridge, she taught Spanish at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA and McLean School in Potomac, MD.

She has an M.A. in private school leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a B.A. in psychology from Bates College. Meredith is also a graduate of Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, where she was the student government president. She is currently enrolled in the Institute for Engaging Leadership in Friends Schools through the Friends Council on Education. This selective, two-year program supports leaders nationally as they hone their skills and contribute in new ways to their Friends school communities.

Meredith is the mother of Ella ‘20 and Vani Hanamirian ‘22, who have been MFS students since Preschool.

Please join me in congratulating Meredith on her appointment as Associate Head of School and Academic Dean.