David Lee
Each month RG175 does a "deeper dive" to get to know one of our Independent School colleagues. This month we are spotlighting David Lee. David is entering his fourth year as the Head of School at Daycroft School, a Montessori-inspired toddler — 6th grade school in Ann Arbor, MI. David started his career in the investment banking world working for Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, and last as a partner at ISI Group. After 13 years in finance, David transitioned into teaching middle school mathematics and coaching lacrosse in San Francisco at both Town School and Stuart Hall (a Sacred Heart school). David grew up just outside of Boston and attended Williams College where he served in the student government and was a varsity athlete in both football and lacrosse. In May 2017, he received his Masters in Independent School Leadership from The Klingenstein Center. David and his wife Angela have two boys, his youngest attends Daycroft School and his oldest is at Greenhills School.
What’s your connection to RG175?
As an aspiring Head of School looking for the right school, I struggled to connect with other search firms as I felt like just a resume. I was then introduced to Coreen Hester and Debbie Reed at RG175 in the summer of 2017, where we spent nearly two hours getting to know one another. Over the next year, they helped to guide me in searches and introduced me to John Farber who was helping a small Montessori school in Ann Arbor. Their advocacy and introduction, along with the guidance from John, helped me land my first headship at Daycroft School in Ann Arbor.
Can you summarize your experience working with RG175?
We work in an industry where leaders must have high EQ, are passionate about working with kids, and can navigate difficult conversations. These skills are not easily translated into resumes or introductory letters and you need an advocate who knows you. While search firms are paid by schools to find the right candidates, RG175 is one of the few firms that truly gets to know every candidate and will advocate for leaders who they believe will meet a school's specific needs. The best part of RG175 is that once they have placed you, they are still there to guide and assist you in your new role. The depth of knowledge and connections at RG175 in the independent world is truly exceptional.
If you had one thing to recommend to other candidates, what would it be?
Interviewing with schools is a lot like dating. Often you feel that you would be a great match for a school only to find that you aren't moving on in the search process. You can't take it personally as each school is unique in what they are looking for and the right school is out there waiting to meet you.
What do you enjoy most about your job as it pertains to Independent Schools?
I love the family connections we create. We are intimate partners with our parents in the care and growth of their children. While it often takes time, the growth and development we see in our students and the impact that this has on families is the best feeling in the world.
What are some of your greatest achievements as a school leader?
Navigating the COVID pandemic and keeping our school open while keeping our students and faculty as safe as possible. Helping to retain 90%+ of our faculty, and staff this past year, while also hiring amazing faculty all while growing our enrollment by 70% over the past three years. This growth has set Daycroft School up for financial security and continued strategic growth for years to come.