Garrison Forest School is excited to announce the new Director of the Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving: Shannon Schmidt! As the current Head of the GFS Middle School, a role she has held for five years, Shannon oversees the Middle School program and has cultivated a collaborative and positive community within her building. Prior to stepping into the Head role, Shannon served as our Middle School Curriculum and Academic Resource Coordinator, and she has been a member of our Residential Life community for five years. An empathetic leader and innovative educator, Shannon brings a passion for working with students and teachers alike to create programs that advance and elevate the educational experience.

While Shannon brings a deep knowledge and understanding of GFS to this role, she also brings an unflappable enthusiasm, strong sense of collaborative leadership and an inspiring vision for how the Boyce Center can truly elevate the experience of every student on our campus. As the Boyce Center’s inaugural Director, Shannon will work with our passionate and compassionate educators to chart the course for this important addition to our school’s resources and bring the idea of the Center to life.

The Boyce Center, which will formally open in fall 2024, is a hub that unites the school’s academic resources, counseling and health services to bring a holistic view of each student’s academic success, social/emotional and physical health and overall wellness. It builds on our strengths of knowing each student as an individual and helps each student be the best version of themselves. To learn more, please click here. 

Shannon shared this about her new role: “I am honored every day to work with the inspiring students and dedicated faculty at Garrison Forest, and I look forward to the challenging and exciting work of launching the Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving. Our vision is to create a space that celebrates the strengths of each student while providing a research-based approach to innovative teaching and learning, particularly for girls and young women.” 

Prior to coming to GFS, Shannon served as Assistant Principal for a K-8 public charter school, where she led curriculum and instruction, directly worked with all teachers and coordinated the school’s testing programs. She started her career as an elementary school teacher, and has presented at multiple national conferences. In her role as a member of our Residential Life staff, she has a great deal of experience interacting with, guiding and supporting our 8th through 12th Grade boarding students. 

Shannon will officially step into the Director role beginning July 1; a search for the next Head of the Middle School is underway.