West Orange, NJ—Golda Och Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Stodolski as Upper School Principal. Stodolski will officially join the school July 1, 2015, at which time current Associate Head of School and Upper School Principal Adam Shapiro will assume the role of Head of School.
With 26 years of experience in independent and private schools, Stodolski joins Golda Och Academy with an extensive background in the education field, having served in various high-level administrative and teaching roles. Under the leadership of Head of School Rabbi Marc Baker, Stodolski was the Assistant Head of School at Gann Academy, a Jewish day school for grades 9–12 in Waltham, Mass. While at Gann, she also served as Dean of Studies and Math Department Chair.
Prior to her tenure at Gann Academy, Stodolski served as Assistant Head of School at Meridian Academy, an independent school affiliated with the Coalition of Essential Schools in Brookline, Mass. At Meridian, she developed and implemented an integrated math, science, and technology curriculum as well as collaborated on the Tufts University Genomics Project to develop and implement a genomics curriculum with unprecedented access to DNA sequencing technology. Additionally, she served as the Dean of Students, Acting Assistant Headmaster, and co-chair of the Math Department at the Waring School, a progressive school in Beverly, Mass.
“We are thrilled to welcome someone of Ms. Stodolski’s caliber into our Golda Och Academy community,” said Shapiro. “She has a proven track record of success from every school she has worked and taught in. I am confident she will complement our already talented leadership team and work tirelessly to continue moving our school forward. Her background in math and science, along with her experience working at very high-achieving schools, means that Ms. Stodolski will be ready to step in and help us continue to strive for excellence both inside and outside the classroom.”
“I am thrilled to be joining Golda Och Academy as Upper School Principal,” said Stodolski. “GOA is a school that strives for excellence in all areas of its program, and I am looking forward to bringing my experience and insights to that endeavor. From the time I have spent at the school, it is clear how dedicated the faculty and staff are to the overall success of the school. I look forward to getting started and meeting the students, parents, and the rest of the GOA community.”
Stodolski also brings a wider global perspective to GOA having been the Acting Assistant Principal at the Taktse International School in Gangtok, India. Charged with bringing the school to the next stage of development, Stodolski helped set up new systems and structures for teacher supervision, professional development, high school curriculum, accounting, and fundraising. Additionally, she served as a consultant on long-term goals for the school, including its strategic growth plan and organizational structure.
“After getting to know Ms. Stodolski, it is clear that her extensive knowledge in curriculum development in such varied disciplines—ranging from math and science to health and the humanities—will serve her well in her role as Upper School Principal,” said Jamie Himmelstein, GOA’s Middle School Director. “I am eager to work and collaborate with her as I know Ms. Stodolski will be a wonderful member of our team and a great leader for our school.”
GOA Lower School Principal Carrie Z. Siegel said, “I am delighted to welcome Ms. Stodolski to the Golda Och Academy leadership team. I am confident her expertise and talents will serve her well as we lead the GOA community (Pre-K through 12th grade), students, and faculty to new heights.”
Stodolski received a Bachelor of Arts from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the Klingenstein Center, Teachers College at Columbia University in New York. In 2011, she was awarded a National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Fellowship for Aspiring Heads of School.
By Erin Sternthal
