Headmaster's Announcement

August 31, 2011

Dear Miami Valley School Families:

With bittersweet feelings, I announce that this will be Sam Wagner's last year at MVS. Following 13 years of loyal service, Mr. Wagner is seeking new opportunities in educational leadership.

While at MVS, he has served as director of college counseling, an English teacher, and for the last eight years as upper school head. Mr. Wagner has made the student experience primary to his work, supporting student organizations, strengthening the advisory program, and coordinating the Immersion program. He led trips to New Zealand, Turkey, India, Andros Island, and China, sharing over 100,000 travel miles with students. Mr. Wagner also focused intently on parent education, arranged special events, led "town hall" meetings, and kept the community informed with blogs and suggested readings.

As a member of the administrative team, Mr. Wagner led a school partnership proposal process, as well as the school's 2004 accreditation process. In 2009, he was selected to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads program. He will be missed for his dedication to students, consummate professionalism, and steadfast loyalty to MVS.

I have appointed Trey Adams to lead the search committee that will seek our new upper school head. The committee membership includes Vin Romeo, Anne Griffith, Susan Staley, and Clemens Ceipek. They will conduct the search this fall, striving to make an appointment in early 2012.

Please join me in thanking Mr. Wagner for his service and supporting him through this year as we seek opportunities to celebrate his accomplishments.

Sincerely,


Peter B. Benedict II
Headmaster