Dear Members of the Garrison Forest School Community,  I am delighted to share that Monica Pickett Rodriguez has been named by the Board of Trustees as the 14th Head of School at Garrison Forest. Ms. Rodriguez will succeed Interim Head of School Ann Teaff in July 2027. As we began the Head of School search, we were thoughtful and intentional about finding someone who could move our beloved school forward while embracing the traditions and values that have been the foundation of Garrison Forest for 115 years. We were seeking a skilled leader who could enthusiastically promote excellence in education and advance opportunities for young women. We hoped to find someone who would embrace and embody our school’s motto, Esse Quam Videri: To Be Rather Than To Seem, and who could fully appreciate the many amazing facets that make Garrison Forest an inspiring place to be, from our co-ed early childhood programs to our residential life community, and from our strong tradition of academic excellence to our unparalleled opportunities for athletes, artists, riders, and polo players.

Unanimously recommended by the Head of School Search Committee and unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees, Monica Rodriguez will be the 14th Head of School at Garrison Forest.

The feedback across constituents was clear and compelling: we have found all of these qualities—and more—in Monica. As a woman of impact in her own right, she stands poised to lead Garrison Forest School into a bright future. She brings more than two decades of experience in a variety of different learning environments, underscoring her deep love of learning and her expertise across different educational models. A visionary, strategic leader who demonstrates an enrollment mindset, her strong, student-centered leadership has been key to her current position as Head of School at The Montessori School of Raleigh and Carolina Preparatory Academy, where she oversees two campuses serving students from six weeks old through grade 12. In this role, she has led successfully through the pandemic, strengthened enrollment, expanded academic and co-curricular offerings, and built structures to enhance faculty development, student safety, and community engagement. Under her leadership, the school has launched signature programs, expanded the arts and technology curriculum, and achieved long-term financial sustainability.  Her previous experience includes leadership positions as the Upper School Director of the Latin School of Chicago and at Morgan Park Academy, where she served as Dean of Academics, Director of Global Studies, Director of the Academic Summer Institute, and Assistant Upper School Principal. Her professional expertise includes curriculum development, enrollment management, financial planning, and change management, as well as a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. “My family and I are absolutely delighted to be joining the Garrison Forest community,” Ms. Rodriguez shared. “The strength, spirit, and promise of the students that I already met reflect an extraordinary institution. The school’s commitment to empowering young women is exciting, and I cannot wait to partner with students, faculty, administrators, alumnae, and parents as we reflect on the school’s remarkable legacy and bright future.” Read below to hear more from Ms. Rodriguez on what drew her to our community and what she is most looking forward to. Ms. Rodriguez and her family, husband Carlos, and children Maya (6), and Sasha (3), are excited to join us here on campus and will be living at Lochinvar. Although her appointment will not start until July 2027, there will be opportunities to meet her in the months to come. Stay tuned!   In addition to my excitement in welcoming Monica and her family to Baltimore and the GFS community, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to our Head of School Search Committee, particularly Co-Chairs Brooks Paternotte P’28 and Erika Daneman Slater ’88, who guided us through this process with great care and enthusiasm; our Faculty/Staff Committee, who gave generously of their time and energy; and the school’s faculty, staff, and leadership team, who have fully engaged in this search. Thank you, as well, to every parent, alumna, and supporter of the school who participated in this process and made your voices heard for this vitally important decision.  Please join me in extending the warmest of welcomes to Ms. Rodriguez and her family to the Garrison Forest School community. I know we are all eager to demonstrate what it means to be True Blue! This is truly an exciting time to be a part of Garrison Forest School, and we are looking forward to Ms. Rodriguez’s leadership and its impact on the next chapter in our shared history.  Sincerely,  George J. Sakellaris President, Garrison Forest School Board of Trustees

GET TO KNOW: 3 QUESTIONS WITH INCOMING HEAD OF SCHOOL MONICA RODRIGUEZ

Why did you choose to join the GFS community?  When I visited the school, students of all ages at Garrison Forest impressed me with their confidence, kindness, authenticity, and joy. The older girls struck me as grounded with a strong sense of already knowing who they are and who they want to become, and they support one another fiercely. This is a community where character is cultivated as much as academic excellence, and that is a rare combination. I am deeply honored to join you in this next chapter! What excites you about an all-girls environment?  What excites me about being in an all-girls setting is the ability to shape a learning environment where every girl feels intellectually challenged, emotionally supported, and emboldened to lead. The strength, leadership, and integrity I have already witnessed from Garrison Girls is extraordinary. When girls feel supported and genuinely empowered, they rise. I look forward to championing that work every day. What opportunities do you see for Garrison under your leadership?  I see Garrison Forest poised for a bold and transformative next chapter—one defined by innovation and collaboration. There is an opportunity for academic advancement, philanthropic expansion, and deeper engagement with all constituent groups within the community. I see a future that both honors the school’s legacy and stretches us toward new possibilities that will benefit all students.

ABOUT THE SEARCH PROCESS

The search process for the next Head of School started in earnest in early spring 2025 with the selection of the Search Committee and introduction of search consultants from Resource Group 175 (RG175), the firm helping guide our work. In late April 2025, search consultants visited campus for onsite interviews and launched a community-wide survey to gather feedback and hopes around the needs for the next Head of School. Members of the Faculty/Staff Committee were selected. In May 2025, RG175 released a position description. Throughout the late spring and summer, the search consultants spoke to over 100 prospects and referral sources regarding Head of School candidates, resulting in 44 completed applications from sitting heads and school leaders from all over the country and the world. From this impressive group, the Search Committee interviewed a select group of semi-finalists and narrowed that group to four finalists who each visited the Garrison Forest campus for a full slate of in-person interviews. Feedback was gathered and reviewed by the Search Committee, which unanimously recommended Monica Rodriguez as Garrison Forest School’s next Head of School.

[Note: Survey links are disabled; GFS community, please see your email to access the survey link, which will be available through Saturday, April 26.] Dear Members of the GFS Community, As we shared last week, the search for the next Head of School at Garrison Forest is officially underway. A vital first step in this process is gathering perspectives from as many members of our community as possible. Please take a few moments to complete this anonymous online survey between now and Saturday, April 26, to share your thoughts.  Your feedback will play an essential role in helping Resource Group 175 (RG175), the consultants leading our search, develop a comprehensive position statement and identify candidates who are well-aligned with the needs and values of our school community. Please note that all survey responses are confidential and will be reviewed solely by RG175. While insights may be summarized and shared with the Search Committee to inform the process, no identifying information will be included. Your candid input is vital to ensuring a thorough and thoughtful search. Make sure your insights are included! Click here to complete the GFS community survey by Saturday, April 26.

CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY

Once again, we truly appreciate your insights and partnership as we continue the search for the next Head of School at Garrison Forest. For updates and additional information, including details about RG175 and our Search Committee, please visit the Head of School Search webpage here: Head of School search site.   Sincerely, Erika Daneman Slater ’88 and Brooks Paternotte, P’28  Search Committee Co-Chairs

Dear Garrison Forest Community, 

We write today with some exciting updates regarding the upcoming Head of School search, as we are eager for your engagement in this important process. We know that you share our commitment to identifying an outstanding leader for our wonderful school who recognizes the unique aspects of our community while possessing the ability and enthusiasm to propel Garrison Forest into the future. We have established a page on our website for our Head of School search to include general information on the process, key dates, and all public correspondence. This site will be updated regularly and is a good source for details throughout the search. 

We are partnering with Resource Group 175 (RG175), a renowned consulting firm with expertise in US and international independent school leadership searches. Leading the charge are consultants Molly King and Bob Henderson, both of whom bring a wealth of experience and insight to the table. Molly has served in independent schools for over 35 years, including senior leadership positions at several schools. For 19 years, Molly was Head of School at Greenwich Academy in Connecticut. She joined RG175 in October 2023 and, in addition to her consulting roles, serves on the boards of Milton Academy and Bowdoin College. Before joining RG175 as a consultant in 2017, Bob Henderson worked as a teacher and administrator in independent schools for 37 years. He was a Head of School for 22 years, the last 17 of which were at Noble and Greenough School in Massachusetts. He has served on multiple boards, including currently as chair of the Steppingstone Foundation, and he has consulted for over 40 schools and nonprofits.

An essential part of this process is gathering input from all members of our community. Our consultants will be on campus from April 23 to 25 to engage with members of the Garrison Forest community. In addition, they will distribute a survey to our extended school community to collect meaningful feedback and perspectives about our school. We encourage you to share your thoughts with the consultants through the survey, as your insights are both valuable and vital to this important work.

We have formed a search committee, listed below, that will do a superb job guiding this process on behalf of our community. We are grateful for their willingness to devote time and care to this significant undertaking. Each search committee member understands their fundamental role in representing the entire community, rather than specific constituencies, and being guided and informed by the highest values and mission of Garrison Forest in seeking our next leader. More information about our search committee members is on the Head of School search page. In addition to the Search Committee, we will also be forming a Faculty Advisory Committee to ensure that faculty and staff perspectives are meaningfully included alongside those of the Board. This collaboration will help guide the process and ensure thoughtful, inclusive input at every stage. 

We want to express our sincere gratitude to Chris Hughes for his devoted service to Garrison Forest over the past 7 years, leaving an indelible mark on our school through his kindness and character. Our entire school community is grateful for his contributions. We are all wishing Chris and Farida well in their next chapter at Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY. 

We are also pleased to share our deep appreciation to Ann Teaff for agreeing to return to Garrison Forest as Interim Head of School beginning in July of this year. Ann is excited to rejoin the community to which she devoted 18 years of distinguished service as Head of the Upper School, and we are equally delighted to welcome her back to campus. Ann has generously agreed to serve in this interim capacity through either July 1, 2026, or 2027, depending on the availability of the most qualified candidate to assume the permanent role. Her flexibility provides a significant advantage in our search process, particularly given the reality of multi-year contracts among school leaders. We are sincerely grateful to Ann and thrilled to have her back at GFS!

We look forward to engaging with you and providing updates at key points of the search. In addition to the webpage, we are also accessible to you, and your input is appreciated, especially on the upcoming survey, as we strive to find the ideal candidate to lead our community forward.

Sincerely,

Erika Daneman Slater ’88 and Brooks Paternotte, P’28 
Search Committee Co-Chairs

Search Committee Members:

Search Co-Chairs:

Brooks Paternotte, P’28
Chair, School Life Committee of the GFS Board of Trustees; Executive Director of Irvine Nature Center

Erika Daneman Slater ’88
Member, GFS Board of Trustees; Founder and Principal of a family law practice

Search Committee Members:

Emily Gardner Baratta ’88, P’17 and P’19
Chair, Enrollment and Marketing Committee of the GFS Board of Trustees; Background in nonprofit development and event planning

Crystal Lee ’96
Chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the GFS Board of Trustees; Deputy Director of Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust (B.E.S.T.)

Catherine “Kate” Schroeder O'Neill ’93
Vice President, GFS Board of Trustees; Chief of Staff to the Chairman at Bloomberg L.P.

Charlotte S. Riggs ’90
Member, GFS Board of Trustees; Head of School at St. James Academy

Elizabeth Bancroft Warfield ’73
Chair, Trusteeship Committee of the GFS Board of Trustees; international development leader

Dear Members of the GFS Community,

As we begin the new school year with fresh energy and enthusiasm, we are thrilled to share an important update on the Head of School Search for Garrison Forest School. This September, four outstanding finalists will be visiting campus to engage with our community and provide you the opportunity to meet them. We invite you to read this message in full for all the details.

Search Process To Date

The Search Committee, made up of dedicated Trustees who are alumnae and current or past parents, has been deeply engaged in this work since last spring. Our diligent consultants from Resource Group 175 (RG175) spoke with more than 100 prospects and referral sources, which resulted in 44 completed applications from sitting heads and school leaders across the country and around the world. This highly qualified pool of candidates is a true testament to the strength and reputation of the Garrison Forest community and the excellence of our girls’ school education.

From this remarkable applicant pool, the Search Committee selected a group of semi-finalists for interviews. From there, we unanimously advanced four exceptional finalists, all of whom will spend several days on campus, with visits running from Sunday, September 7, through Friday, September 19.

Meeting the Candidates

Each finalist has a robust, two-and-a-half-day schedule on campus during which they will be meeting with as many constituents as possible, including faculty and staff, students, current parents, alumnae, the Faculty/Staff Advisory Committee, and Board of Trustees members. These upcoming visits will give our community the chance to engage directly with the finalists, learn about their experiences and vision, and share valuable feedback that will help guide the Search Committee’s work.

Please mark your calendars for the following dates and times for the open sessions for parents and alumnae:

Parent Sessions (open to current parents of students in all divisions; moderated by Kristen Hill Brown ’07, P’32 and P’36, President of the GFS Parent Association) will be held on the following dates:

• Finalist #1:
  • Monday, September 8, 7:45 am - 8:30 am, Lohr Hall
  • Tuesday, September 9, 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm, Lohr Hall
• Finalist #2:
  • Thursday, September 11, 7:45 am - 8:30 am, Lohr Hall
  • Friday, September 12, 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm, Lohr Hall
• Finalist #3:
  • Monday, September 15, 7:45 am - 8:30 am, Lohr Hall
  • Tuesday, September 16, 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm, Lohr Hall
• Finalist #4:
  • Thursday, September 18, 7:45 am - 8:30 am, Lohr Hall
  • Friday, September 19, 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm, Lohr Hall

Alumnae Sessions (open to all GFS alumnae; moderated by Bayley Mullan Murphy ’10, President of the GFS Alumnae Board) will be held on the following dates:

• Finalist #1: Monday, September 8, 5:15 pm - 6:00 pm, Lohr Hall
• Finalist #2: Thursday, September 11, 5:15 pm - 6:00 pm, Lohr Hall
• Finalist #3: Monday, September 15, 5:15 pm - 6:00 pm, Lohr Hall
• Finalist #4: Thursday, September 18, 5:15 pm - 6:00 pm, Lohr Hall

If you fall into multiple constituent groups, please attend the session that works best for you. We ask that you attend only one session per candidate to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to meet our finalists and have their questions answered. Note that sessions will be in-person only due to the sensitive nature of the interviews and to provide the best possible experience for both our candidates and those meeting them. 

Brief overviews of each candidate will be posted on this webpage approximately 24 hours before their arrival on campus, and a reminder will be sent prior to each session date.

Those who meet with our finalists will have the opportunity to provide feedback through an anonymous survey. We ask that surveys be completed within 24 hours of your session, as the results will be shared with and carefully considered by the Search Committee. A QR code linking directly to the survey will also be available at the parent and alumnae sessions to make participation easy. This feedback is a very important part of the finalist evaluation process.

The Importance of Confidentiality

Participating as a finalist in a Head of School search requires an enormous commitment and carries significant professional and personal exposure. The open parent and alumnae sessions are your opportunity to meet the candidates and ask questions. We ask for your full respect in not reaching out to anyone at their current schools or to other connections within your networks. All four candidates have jobs, spouses, and families, and protecting their privacy is essential. We ask that you model the highest values we expect every day from our Garrison students.

Our goal is to identify the very best next Head of School for Garrison Forest. To that end, the Committee is conducting thorough reference and background checks on each finalist. While this information is critical to our decision-making, much of it must remain confidential for legal and ethical reasons. Please trust that the Search Committee will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity and stewardship as we make a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees, one that will sustain our momentum and propel Garrison Forest forward.

Thank you for your support and positive engagement in this process. We are deeply grateful to all who will meet the finalists and share feedback, which is essential to the Committee’s work. Each of you plays a vital role in helping us attract these exceptional leaders who are eager to join and strengthen the Garrison Forest community.

As always, you can find details about the Search Committee on this webpage, where we will also be posting this and any future updates, as well as the candidate biographies prior to their visits. Please reach out to us at headsearch@gfs.org with any questions or concerns. 

 

Sincerely,

Erika Daneman Slater ’88 and Brooks Paternotte, P’28 

Search Committee Co-Chairs

A.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for selecting and hiring Garrison Forest School’s next Head of School. To lead this important effort, the Board has established a Head of School Search Committee, co-chaired by Erika Daneman Slater ’88, a GFS alumna and “lifer,” and Brooks Paternotte P’28, a current parent.

The Search Committee is composed of current trustees who are current parents, past parents, and alumnae, representing a dynamic and diverse group. In addition to the Search Committee, a Faculty Advisory Committee will be formed to ensure that faculty and staff perspectives are meaningfully incorporated into the process.

Understanding that selecting our next Head of School is a pivotal moment in the School’s history, the Board has engaged Resource Group 175, a nationally recognized consulting firm with deep expertise in U.S. and international independent school leadership searches. Resource Group 175 will serve as consultants to the Search Committee, guiding and supporting the process from inception to completion.

A.

October 2024: Chris Hughes announces plans to leave Garrison Forest School at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year. Ann Teaff is announced as Interim Head for 2025-26, with a possibility of extending through 2026-27. 

Mid-April 2025: Search Committee outlines the search process for the Garrison Forest School community.

Late April 2025: RG175 consultants visit Garrison Forest for onsite interviews; Community-wide online survey launches.

May 2025: A position description will be finalized and distributed.

June - August 2025: Search Committee and RG175 begin to review candidates’ credentials and have preliminary conversations. Fall 2025: Finalist candidates visit campus; community feedback is solicited.

Late Fall 2025: The Search Committee announces the new Head of School.

In the spring of 2025, the primary focus of the Search Committee and our consultants is to develop a position statement for Garrison Forest’s next Head of School. In late April, all members of the GFS community will be invited to complete an online questionnaire. Based on their findings from the questionnaire and extensive interviews with many of the parent, faculty and staff, alumnae, and trustee constituencies, the Search Committee, together with the consultants, will create the position statement, which will serve as a primary tool in describing the Head of School position to all potential candidates.

This document will then be disseminated nationally and internationally as the consultants identify and recruit candidates in order to secure the best possible pool of applicants for the position. After spending the majority of the summer vetting the candidates, the consultants will meet with the Search Committee to present a small group of potential candidates. Interviews will then be conducted, references will be checked (and double checked), finalists will be selected to visit campus and to meet with constituents of the Garrison Forest School community, the Search Committee will recommend a final candidate to the Board of Trustees for approval and, if all goes according to plan with the right fit for GFS, the announcement of a new Head of School will be made to our school community in late fall of 2025.

A.

The Search Committee directs the search process from start to finish. They will coordinate input from Garrison Forest’s varied constituencies – both groups and individuals – work with the search firm to craft the position statement, sort through the initial round of candidates vetted by the search firm, and organize and conduct interviews with the semifinalists and finalists. At the end of the process, the Search Committee will present one broadly supported candidate to be confirmed by the Board of Trustees. Upon confirmation of the candidate, the Committee facilitates the leadership transition and integration into the School. A major function of the Search Committee is to keep the Garrison Forest School community informed and engaged throughout the search process, while respecting the confidentiality of the candidate recruitment process.

A.

RG 175 provides advice to the Search Committee concerning format, logistics, procedure, and best practices in the search process. In April 2025, the consultants will gather data from the online questionnaire and personal interviews to fully understand the Garrison Forest culture. Then, working closely with the Search Committee, they will translate the School’s mission, philosophy, and objectives into a leadership profile. The consultants ensure that the position description includes the personal characteristics and style that will best position the school to move forward. Together with the Search Committee, RG 175 interviews and checks references of all candidates before referring their credentials to the Search Committee for review. The consultants provide Committee members detailed interview questions custom-designed to assess whether candidates possess the specific leadership qualities identified as required by the school. They help structure interviews, visits, and reference checks to ensure that these meet the candidates’ and the Committee’s needs for information. The consultants also facilitate the flow of feedback between the candidates and the Search Committee.

A.

Ann Teaff will lead the operations of the school upon taking the helm on July 1, 2025. The new Head will start for either the 2026-27 or 2027-28 school year, depending on candidate availability and the needs of the school. As the search process continues, Ms. Teaff will meet with each finalist when he/she visits the School to share her insight about Garrison Forest School and recommended areas of opportunity or focus. Once the new Head of School has been named, Ann will work closely with him or her throughout the transition process.

A. 

Garrison Forest’s faculty will remain actively engaged throughout the search, from giving feedback and commentary to the search firm during the discovery phase on building the Head of School position statement, to meeting semifinalist and finalist candidates. Faculty, staff and administrators will remain in close contact with the Search Committee throughout the process.

In addition, a small number of faculty and staff members will comprise the Faculty Advisory Committee to inform the Search Committee of important aspects of the search to ensure that the perspectives of faculty and staff are meaningfully included alongside those of the Board. This collaboration will help guide the process and ensure thoughtful, inclusive input at every stage.

A. 

In April, parents can complete the online questionnaire which will inform the position description. This is a vital step in shaping the needs and required attributes of the school's next Head of School. Parent representatives will meet with the consultants during the April site visit and with candidates during the candidate site visits next fall. Throughout the search process, parents are encouraged to share their thoughts with the Search Co-chairs, Erika Daneman Slater ’88 and Brooks Paternotte, P’28, at headsearch@gfs.org.

A.

Students will be asked to participate in different ways, depending upon what is most age appropriate. Groups of Lower, Middle and Upper School students will be invited to meet with our consultants to offer their thoughts on qualities they would like to see in a new Head of School, and all Middle and Upper School students will be asked to complete the online questionnaire. The Search Committee also plans to involve students next fall to offer their insights during candidate site visits.

A.

Alumnae will be asked to participate in the search, beginning with the online questionnaire. Alumnae representatives will meet with the consultants during the April site visit and with candidates during the candidate site visits next fall.

A. You can contact Search Committee Co-chairs Search Co-chairs, Erika Daneman Slater ’88 and Brooks Paternotte, P’28, at headsearch@gfs.org.

A.

Please click here for full bios of the Search Committee.