Parker Welcomes New Head of Upper School Cory Zeller

Dear Parker Community,

As co-chairs of the Head of Upper School Search Committee, we are happy to announce that Parker has successfully completed a rigorous nationwide leadership search to find our next Head of Upper School, and we are grateful to all of our colleagues, students, parents/guardians and trustees who contributed many hours and abundant feedback during the interview and search process.

Parker conducted this search in partnership with Strategenius, the same executive search firm that assisted us with our recent DEIB search. Strategenius specializes in identifying and placing exceptional, diverse talent in independent schools. Strategenius received more than 40 applications for this search and shared a long list of 17 candidates with us. Our committee interviewed eight semi-finalists via Zoom and hosted four outstanding finalists on campus.

Along with our colleagues on the Search Committee, we are excited that Parker’s next Head of Upper School is our very own Cory Zeller. Schools are boldly strengthened by compelling talent developed within their own organizations, and Parker is most fortunate that Ms. Zeller emerged from a strong, robust and competitive pool of candidates from across the nation. Having taught English and served as an advisor for more than 10 years, and as Grade Head for the last nine years at Parker, Ms. Zeller’s intimate knowledge and lived experience of the Upper School informs her caring insight, organizational skill, energetic drive and collaborative vision for uplifting the culture of teaching and learning in the Upper School in accord with our school’s progressive mission. Ms. Zeller’s approach to enhancing partnerships across the Upper School shapes her commitment to work with others to create effective and equitable systems that root policies in our mission and advance our community dialogue and daily practices in the realms of teaching, learning, citizenship and service. Ms. Zeller’s deep love for Parker and her appreciation for who we are and can be as a JK–12 school guides her optimistic approach to working with students, colleagues and parents/guardians toward the shared goal of creating an even healthier and more joyfully engaged Upper School experience for all.

In addition to her ongoing professional and educational development activities, Ms. Zeller earned a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in curriculum development from the University of Michigan, with a certification in secondary English and psychology. Ms. Zeller and her husband Sam are the current parents of Parker students Owen (8th) and Sloane (6th).

We will now begin a formal process for hiring an Upper School English teacher.

Please join us in welcoming Cory Zeller as Parker’s new Head of Upper School effective Saturday, July 1.

Respectfully,

Daniel B. Frank, Ph.D.
Principal

Sven Carlsson
Director of Students for Grades 6–12
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Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.