New Headmaster Chosen
By Nick Sommariva
Sandia Prep Times Staff Writer
Prep’s incoming headmaster said he’s impressed with the school’s style and philosophy and hopes to get to know the community as well as he can before taking over the top job next July.
“I feel this community generally supports one another, and because of that and Prep’s philosophy, student and faculty life there is multi-dimensional,” Headmaster-elect Steve Albert said. “The quality of everything is very good, and I truly feel that students and faculty give everything their best effort.”
Albert, 45, is the associate head at The Hotchkiss School, a co-ed boarding institution for grades 9-12 in Lakeville, Conn. He will begin his job as Prep’s new headmaster on July 1, 2010, when Headmaster Dick Heath retires after 24 years.
The selection process for a new headmaster began last November and ended with Albert’s announcement just before Thanksgiving. Although it was a long process, Kelli Cooper, the head of the selection committee, said it went well overall.
“We narrowed it down from the start to 52 applications, then that got cut down to seven,” she said. “After that we brought four of them to campus; then it was just down to Mike McGill and Steve Albert.”
McGill dropped out of the race because he and his family weren’t ready to move to New Mexico from the East Coast.
“That left Steve,” Cooper said. “This made the final decision easy because we were getting exactly 50-50 positive feedback from both of them.”
Albert said he doesn’t plan to make any immediate changes, noting that his first order of business is to get to know the school better.
“I want to have one-on-one meetings with all the faculty and staff and as many students as I can. Learning as much as I can about the school is my number one priority,” he said.
Albert believes strongly in Prep’s 5A philosophy (arts, academics, athletics, activities and atmosphere) and said it creates a sense of balance throughout the school.
He also said he hopes students will not be afraid to sit down and talk with him.
“I’m going to try to blend in with the student body,” he said. “I want to go on CA trips, sports games, concerts and plays.”
Albert mentioned putting together a group to determine whether the school’s academic and athletic programs could better meet the needs of students.
“A school’s programs should directly reflect its mission,” he said. “And although the school is already in good shape, there is always room for improvement and new options to consider.”
Heath said he’s sure he is leaving the school in good hands.
“Steve is so fit and so ready for this school, I’m confident he will do well,” Heath said. “Prep is so different than what he is used to, but it didn’t matter to him. He just gets it; he gets what Prep is about.”
Sandia Prep Times Staff Writer
Prep’s incoming headmaster said he’s impressed with the school’s style and philosophy and hopes to get to know the community as well as he can before taking over the top job next July.
“I feel this community generally supports one another, and because of that and Prep’s philosophy, student and faculty life there is multi-dimensional,” Headmaster-elect Steve Albert said. “The quality of everything is very good, and I truly feel that students and faculty give everything their best effort.”
Albert, 45, is the associate head at The Hotchkiss School, a co-ed boarding institution for grades 9-12 in Lakeville, Conn. He will begin his job as Prep’s new headmaster on July 1, 2010, when Headmaster Dick Heath retires after 24 years.
The selection process for a new headmaster began last November and ended with Albert’s announcement just before Thanksgiving. Although it was a long process, Kelli Cooper, the head of the selection committee, said it went well overall.
“We narrowed it down from the start to 52 applications, then that got cut down to seven,” she said. “After that we brought four of them to campus; then it was just down to Mike McGill and Steve Albert.”
McGill dropped out of the race because he and his family weren’t ready to move to New Mexico from the East Coast.
“That left Steve,” Cooper said. “This made the final decision easy because we were getting exactly 50-50 positive feedback from both of them.”
Albert said he doesn’t plan to make any immediate changes, noting that his first order of business is to get to know the school better.
“I want to have one-on-one meetings with all the faculty and staff and as many students as I can. Learning as much as I can about the school is my number one priority,” he said.
Albert believes strongly in Prep’s 5A philosophy (arts, academics, athletics, activities and atmosphere) and said it creates a sense of balance throughout the school.
He also said he hopes students will not be afraid to sit down and talk with him.
“I’m going to try to blend in with the student body,” he said. “I want to go on CA trips, sports games, concerts and plays.”
Albert mentioned putting together a group to determine whether the school’s academic and athletic programs could better meet the needs of students.
“A school’s programs should directly reflect its mission,” he said. “And although the school is already in good shape, there is always room for improvement and new options to consider.”
Heath said he’s sure he is leaving the school in good hands.
“Steve is so fit and so ready for this school, I’m confident he will do well,” Heath said. “Prep is so different than what he is used to, but it didn’t matter to him. He just gets it; he gets what Prep is about.”
