Jack Creeden

Background

About Jack Creeden

I have spent my entire professional career in education, first at the university level and for the last 25 years in independent schools. My experience includes head of school positions at a boarding/day school, two large coeducational K-12 day schools, and as president of an organization that has schools in France, Spain, Italy and China. At the university level, I had campus-wide responsibility for student academic affairs, planning and faculty personnel. The breadth of my experience has given me deep insights into the essential leadership skills required to effectively lead schools. I have directed national workshops and conducted board retreats on trustee governance, developed research studies on cross cultural competencies to support global studies initiatives, and assisted schools with their strategic planning processes. My leadership of accreditation teams has brought me into contact with schools with diverse mission statements in different parts of the country. For three years I chaired the board of trustees of the National Association of Independent Schools (NIAS), and have recently authored a Handbook for Board Chairs (2019). I believe it is essential for trustees and heads of school to develop positive cultures around their governance practices. My model for strategic thinking is inclusive, data driven and involves a thoughtful analysis of a school's mission, current economic and demographic realities, and a commitment to innovative teaching and learning.