A Message from Dr. Joan Buchanan Hill and Margaret Johansen Hirsch ’89

Dear Members of the Lamplighter Community:

With tremendous optimism for the future and deep gratitude for 14 incredible years as Lamplighter’s Head of School, I am writing today to share my plans to retire effective May 31, 2026 – a little more than a year from now. As just the fourth Head of School since Lamplighter’s founding, I did not make this decision lightly. Lamplighter has been more than a workplace, but rather a laboratory to explore, test ideas, lead others, and hone my craft with the goal of improving the lives of the children and families who proudly claim Lamplighter as their own.

It seems like just yesterday when search consultant Peter Cheney connected me to former Lamplighter Board Chair Alex Sharma, who led Lamplighter’s Head of School Search Committee during the 2010-2011 school year. Since then, I’ve relished every moment: visiting classrooms, greeting students at carpool, welcoming students to my office to enjoy a book together, and watching our youngest learners grow into fourth grade Seniors. I will continue to cheer them on as they progress through their Lamplighter education and become proud Lamplighter alumni.

I am also, of course, deeply fortunate to have worked with eminently talented, dedicated, and inspiring professionals—teachers who are passionate, curious, creative, hardworking, and care deeply about Lamplighter’s mission. My leadership team and Board Chairs over the years also deserve tremendous credit as confidantes, guides, and good friends. I am grateful beyond words for all of you.

Lamplighter has never been stronger than it is today. We possess a clear and inspired purpose, superb teaching talent, joyful and inspired learners, and – notably – a community of active friends and generous supporters. The Board of Trustees and I will lean into these strengths over the next 14 months as we work collaboratively to transition to a new Catherine M. Rose Head of School, enliven and activate the Strategic Plan, and fulfill the promise of a sterling education for our youngest learners.

On a personal note, I want to recognize my husband of 44 years, Zachary. His love and support enabled me to fulfill my highest ambitions and thrive in this dream job. Beginning next summer, and for the first time in decades, our time together will be decoupled from the rhythms of the school calendar – no plans and no agenda. My own children, Leslie and Zachary, have a slightly different perspective and question whether I have a fourth act planned once my Lamplighter tenure is complete, while my dearest granddaughter Lily frequently asks, paraphrasing the poet Mary Oliver, “Gigi, what do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” My response to her is, “stay tuned.”

Lamplighter friends, please know this: I love this school with all my heart. I have been blessed beyond measure to have served as its happy, joyous steward and, as fabulous as things are now, Lamplighter’s best days still lie ahead. I intend to work hard and with tireless commitment over the next 14 months to see that promise come to pass and help bring about the next, great chapter in Lamplighter’s story.

With fondness and appreciation,

Joan Buchanan Hill, Ed.D.

Catherine M. Rose Head of School

Dear Lamplighter Community,

After 14 joyful years leading The Lamplighter School and shepherding in a renewed era of excellence in both academics and community, Dr. Joan Buchanan Hill, our Catherine M. Rose Head of School, has decided to retire in June 2026. We are so grateful to have more than a full year ahead of us to celebrate her, to recognize her many accomplishments, and to cherish the joy that she brings to lighting lamps with us here at Lamplighter.

Dr. Hill’s achievements are too numerous to count, but there is no question that she has been a transformational leader who has expertly positioned Lamplighter for success for decades to come. She delivered excellence because she remained laser-focused on what truly distinguishes this great institution: teaching, learning, and dedication to our mission and our students. Dr. Hill, for example, skillfully guided families through pandemic learning, ensuring that learning remained rigorous, meaningful, and engaging; she encouraged our faculty to explore AI and virtual reality as tools to enhance creativity; and she led visionary work with our Board both to secure the land that we call home and to build award-winning additions and upgrades to our campus.

Dr. Hill’s exemplary character and remarkable leadership skills have served as ideal complements to these many achievements. She is an inspiration to the current Board of Trustees, to our predecessors, and to me. She consistently embodies our School values, approaching all she endeavors with curiosity and joy - and always in collaboration with faculty, staff, parents, and the Board of Trustees. This positive culture will inform our mission over the next 14 months as the Board continues to build on our enviable status as a preeminent educational institution, executes key elements of our Strategic Plan, and begins the work of overseeing a smooth transition to a new Head of School.

To this latter point, the Board has already commenced work to ensure a deliberate and thoughtful search process. Board Vice Chair Thomas Morton P ’21, ’22, and ’25 and Board Secretary Liz Cullum Helfrich ’90, P ’18 and ’21 will lead a Search Committee that will represent a variety of the School’s constituents, including Board members, alumni, current and past parents, and faculty. We expect the Search Committee will be finalized in the coming weeks.

Among its first responsibilities, the Search Committee will interview nationally recognized search firms. When the Board of Trustees has approved a selection, the Search Committee and the selected search firm will begin screening and evaluating candidates. The Lamplighter community will also have opportunities to share their hopes and dreams for Lamplighter’s next Catherine M. Rose Head of School. Once the candidates have gone through a rigorous interview process, the Board of Trustees will hire the best fit for our School. We will provide updates to you, our Lamplighter community, at key milestones throughout this process.

In the meantime, please join me in expressing our deep and abiding gratitude to Dr. Hill. We have been exceptionally fortunate to benefit from her dynamic and infectious optimism, relentless energy, keen and intuitive intelligence, and her love for Lamplighter. I am deeply grateful to her and to our Search Committee Chairs for guiding us through this process with Lamplighter’s best interests always at heart and an unwavering sense that our best days lie ahead.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated members of our community leading the way.

In Lamplighter Spirit,

Margaret Johansen Hirsch ’89, P ’23 and ’26

Chair, Board of Trustees