With Head of School Thomas Hagerman leaving at the end of the school year and the search for the next permanent Head commencing, The Forum wants to take a moment to lay out what our Editorial Board is hoping to see in Latin’s next leader.

Active Role in Education

A corporation. A family. A community. Latin balances all of these identities. Our school doesn’t just need a business executive, but a leader who embodies Latin’s educational ethos. We want a Head of School who will be visible in day-to-day student life, actively communicate with families, and have substantial pedagogical expertise to fuel their impact. The Head of School can’t be a figurehead, eternally taking meetings in their office—Latin’s leader needs to walk the halls, cheer from the sidelines, and be present in the everyday moments that define student life.

That willingness to participate in the Latin community starts with listening in on classes and creating avenues to meet with students. The Head should be reachable, making a point of showing up to Gatherings and community events rather than simply making an appearance at Convocation and Commencement. As much as possible, they should create outlets for student and teacher feedback and use that input to inform administrative decisions; we hope that regular town halls and student meetings can become a priority.

Critically, we hope our Head of School will be eager not just to collaborate with students and teachers and solicit input on their decisions, but to take action. Actions speak louder than words, and we hope our leader will have not only a keen listening ear but a sure hand with which to enact change.

Coordinate with All Constituents

The ability to consider all sides shouldn’t be limited to junior year U.S. History—it’s a skill that is mandatory to keep the school running smoothly. The new Head of School needs to be able to balance the wants and needs of faculty, staff, and students, enabling them to make effective decisions by considering all points of view. The leader of Latin should acknowledge and support the Latin School Union, working constructively with representatives to balance teachers’ needs with those of the school.

Within this work, our new leader needs to be transparent about the decision-making process and committed to receiving feedback from all members of our school community.

Experience in All Divisions

Latin spans from Junior Kindergarten to 12th grade, encompassing students ages 4 to 18 years old. Not only does the Head of School have to account for that entire range in their leadership, but they must also be able to effectively unite those groups within the school environment, taking the lead in efforts to build a sense of community that transcends Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools.

That unity starts with teaching experience. The goal of Latin as an institution is to educate, and that mission must be reflected in school leadership. The Head of School should have teaching experience alongside management expertise and should use that experience to inform decisions about all of Latin’s learners—young and old. Balancing thousands of voices is no small task, and having this understanding will allow the Head to make conscientious decisions with the entire school community in mind.

Integrating Curricular and Cocurricular

While Latin’s curriculum is central to the education it provides, the school stands out in its cocurricular opportunities. From athletics and the arts to clubs and community service, the Head of School should embrace all realms of the community, working to unite them under a shared vision. It would be unrealistic to expect one person to attend every game, meet, performance, or exhibition—but the effort to be present across a broad cross-section of student life matters. Too often, only select clubs or varsity teams receive consistent recognition, when every cocurricular program deserves support.

Cocurricular activities are a key component of the Latin experience. They’re where many students make friends, explore interests, develop passions, and make lasting memories. These microcosms need support, whether that be increased funding and outreach for the Middle School clubs or help for the high schoolers looking to start their own.

Adequately supporting these groups involves collaborating with department leaders throughout the Upper School, Middle School, and Lower School to ensure each department’s needs are met financially and socially.

Managing Latin’s numerous offerings may prove challenging, but community members look for a presence from the future Head of School across all domains. Simple appearances highlight that all student pursuits are valued and appreciated, and more focused support allows students to expand on their interests, knowing that school leaders are willing to collaborate to make students’ passions a reality.

Commitment to DEI

Latin doesn’t exist in a bubble. Chicago is one of the most diverse cities in the entire country. On the other hand, it’s one of the most segregated and socioeconomically split. Latin has an obligation to equip its students with an understanding of the injustices that permeate their world, to give them the courage to challenge biases, and to tear down the barriers that let prejudice persist within the community.

At Latin, 12.5% of students receive need-based financial aid. Some reach Latin through programs like High Jump, an academic enrichment program for children from lower-income families that operates at several schools citywide, including Latin. An ideal Head of School would continue to strengthen bridges like High Jump, while also recognizing that support for students from lower-income families does not end at enrollment. Expanding access to opportunity requires consistency, intent, and compassion throughout a student’s entire academic career.

Currently, only 22% of Latin faculty identify as a person of color. While we hope to see this percentage progress, we also envision a new Head of School who will foster diversity for reasons beyond a data point. A leader should be willing to actively engage with our numerous student-run affinity groups, support teachers of color and grant them equal professional agency, and seek to protect Latin’s educational values of social justice even in the throes of political suppression.

We hope our new Head of School will look at Latin and see a united yet multicultural community looking back at them: students from the widest breadth of circumstance, emerging from different backgrounds and bound to different futures, all made to feel that they belong.