Miriam Terry Appointed Head of School Effective July 1, 2016

E. Warriner Atkinson, Christopher Academy Board Chair, has announced the appointment of Miriam Terry to the position of Head of School effective July 1, 2016.

Dear Christopher Academy Community,

I am very pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has selected Miriam Terry as our new Head of School effective July 1, 2016. We are confident that Mrs. Terry is exceptionally well qualified and prepared to become the next administrative leader of Christopher Academy. During the coming year, Mrs. Terry will work closely with our current Head, Phyllis Shannon, to ensure a smooth transition. 

Miriam Terry has been a teacher at Christopher Academy for 18 years teaching math, science, language arts, social studies and physical activity to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. In addition, Mrs. Terry has two years of experience teaching public school in Fairfax County. She has served as Lead Math Teacher since 2008 and as part-­time Assistant Head of School since 2011. 

Mrs. Terry has a BS from Southern Illinois University and a M.Ed from Lesley University. In May 2015 she received a M.Ed degree from Old Dominion University in Educational Leadership in Administration & Supervision. 

She has taken an active role in the Virginia Association of Independent Schools by serving on VAIS Accreditation Teams in 2011, 2012, and 2014 and on the VAIS Annual Conference Committee. Mrs. Terry served as co­-chair of the CA Interim Accreditation Steering Committee in 2010 and is currently the chair of our Ten­-Year Accreditation Steering Committee. She has participated in many professional development workshops and conferences related to accreditation, math and science. 

While Mrs. Terry brings exceptional credentials and experience to the job, she brings something more. Mrs. Terry passionately believes in the mission of Christopher Academy and is committed to doing all that she can to ensure that CA is doing the very best to prepare our students for the 21st Century. She is highly respected by her peers, parents, students, and alumni many of whom keep in touch with her. With her leadership, Christopher Academy will have a bright and exciting future.

Head of School Retirement Announcement

Dear Christopher Academy Community,

On August 1, 1998, I accepted the challenge of being the administrator of Christopher Academy (then The St. Christopher School). I never imagined then that I would have continued in this role for so many years! It has been a great privilege and awesome responsibility for me to have the opportunity to be a part of our students’ lives. It is truly a joy to watch them grow and become confident, successful individuals. Much has happened since 1998 with the most important accomplishment being that Christopher Academy continues to fulfill its mission to “foster a love of learning”. This is due to the hard work of our exceptional faculty, staff, and trustees partnering with fantastic parents. It has truly been an honor to work with all of you.

It is time for a new chapter to begin in the life of Christopher Academy and for me personally. I have advised the CA Board of Trustees that I will retire at the end of the 2015-2016 school year effective June 30, 2016. By then I will have completed 18 years as Head of School plus 4 years of teaching here. I am very pleased that the Board has selected a successor with whom I will be able to work over the coming year to plan for a smooth transition. That news will be shared in a letter from our Board Chair, Warriner Atkinson.

I often think of Christopher Academy as the “little school that could”. Similar to the children’s classic story, The Little Engine that Could, CA is a small school that makes a powerful difference in the lives of our young students. I know that CA will continue to the be the little school that can do big things. I am looking forward to another year of greeting our students each morning in anticipation of another day of learning and growing. Then when the last day comes, I will put down my big red stop sign and turn the first page of my own new chapter.

                                                                                                  Phyllis Shannon