December 1, 2022

To All Faculty, Staff, Families, Alumni, Alumni Families, and Friends:

With joyful hearts, the Arbor School Board of Directors is thrilled to introduce Isaac Enloe as the incoming Director of Arbor School. Isaac will officially step into this role on July 1, 2023, and you may see him occasionally on campus before then as he begins to absorb all things Arbor.  As you will read below, Isaac is an outstanding fit for Arbor, and we could not be happier that he will be joining our community.

Isaac is a graduate of Carleton College (B.A. in Religion), Lewis and Clark College Graduate School of Education (M.A.T.), and the Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University (M.Ed. in Private School Leadership).   He has over twenty years of experience teaching in elementary school classrooms and was a founding faculty member of a start-up independent school in Napa California, as well as Acting Head of School at the Kyoto International School in Kyoto, Japan.  Since 2011 Isaac has been at Catlin Gabel, where he taught kindergarten and 1st-5th grade science before he moved into the leadership role of Director of Catlin Gabel Preschool. He is currently Assistant Head for Student and Family Support in the Lower School.  He spent his early years in Japan, speaks Japanese fluently, and enjoys studying and playing fiddle and banjo music.  We all look forward to enjoying a sampling of his music!

Isaac was very well-received during his campus visit.  As one student said, “That visitor?  Oh, he just seemed like an Arbor teacher.”   Words repeated in survey comments include “December 1, curious,” “thoughtful,” “engaging,” “warm,” “calm,” “reflective,” and “fits into Arbor.”   When the Search Committee reviewed the top five qualities the community wanted to see in a new director (skilled listener; ability to create a climate of trust and joy; ability to attract and retain top quality faculty and staff; devotion to children; demonstrated leadership skill), the Committee knew we had found just the right person to lead Arbor into its next chapter.  We are delighted that Isaac is equally enthusiastic about coming to Arbor School.

We extend special thanks to non-Board members of the Search Committee for their gifts of time and insight.  Erin carefully reminded us of parents’ perspectives.  Andrew thoughtfully advocated for faculty interests.  Lauren articulately explained Arbor’s DEI work and ACT’s role at Arbor.  Together the Search Committee attended 6 listening sessions, reviewed 25 applications, checked 14 references, considered 167 responses from 3 surveys, conducted 9 interviews, and participated in 2  three-day campus visits which each included at least 28 events (classroom visits, parent sessions, faculty meetings, recess and more).  We are also profoundly thankful for Lori’s nimble and gracious visit arrangements, and for faculty and staff flexibility with shifting schedules. We are also grateful for efficient communications help from Kelly and Heidi Hardman.  Last but certainly not least, the Board thanks Peter for holding us all together, calmly steering Arbor forward with his gentle, thoughtful, and skillful leadership.  We are fortunate beyond words to have him at the helm right now, and we look forward to sailing into 2023 with him.

And now, words from Isaac!

Dear Arbor Community,

I am honored, excited, and humbled to join Arbor School as your next Director. I first visited Arbor as a graduate student in 2001 and remember thinking: “This is the school I’ve been dreaming about!” I have visited several times over the years, including three wonderful days last month, and the sentiment holds true. I am deeply inspired by Arbor’s amazing faculty and your commitment to nurture intellect, character, and creativity, foster unity through diversity, and center children and relationships in a small school setting. Joining your community is truly a dream come true for me, and I am eager for my wife, Sophie, and our 4-month-old daughter, Phoebe Lou, to experience the Arbor magic as well. 

Warmly and with great anticipation,

Isaac

Thank you all for your engagement in the search process.   We wish you, your families, and your loved ones a peaceful December–may the month bring joy with Winter Solstice and abundant laughter and coziness into your homes.

With Gratitude,

Sally, Eliza, John, and Kit (ex officio)
The Arbor School Board of Directors