Tamara Schurdak
Each month RG175 does a "deeper dive" to get to know one of our Independent School colleagues. This month we are spotlighting Tamara Schurdak. Tamara has always been drawn to teaching, learning, and reflective, inclusion-driven communities. She began her professional career in a college admissions office. Always interested in being a teacher, Tamara spent over ten years teaching, also serving as a coach, advisor, dean, and department chair, before transitioning to full-time administrative positions both as division head and head of school. Tamara is drawn to communities where all belong and where learning is surrounded by joy. Tamara has a BA from Yale University, an MA from Stanford, and is currently pursuing an MEd from Columbia in Private School Leadership, and potentially a certificate from Stanford’s LEAD (Learn, Engage, Accelerate, Disrupt) Executive Business School program as of March, 2023.
What’s your connection to RG175?
I have known RG175 as both an applicant and as a client. I found my first headship after working closely with Clay Stites, an RG founder, and I was struck by his thoughtful approach and ability to see people and institutions. I also benefit from a strong personal connection to the RG team; my former head of school, Tony Featherston, is a consultant, and I have respect for Tony’s insight, humanity, humor, and professionalism.
Over the years, I've also used RG175 more than once to hire administrative team members and as a consultant for new hires (thank you, Tony Featherston, Jim Pattison, and Adam Peichert!).
Can you summarize your experience working with RG175?
RG175 has been authentic and that works to the advantage of both applicants and clients. Everyone with whom I have worked knows schools and hiring, and as a result, school communities and applicants each learn about themselves by virtue of their work with RG175. While schools can hire firms to do some of the work, RG175 also has a sense of how to coach a school to make a best decision for itself.
If you had one thing to recommend to other candidates what would it be?
Know yourself, and share of yourself. It is easy to want to please a school. The hires that often seem the most “successful” are those that result from candidates (and schools) sharing as authentically as possible who they are and what they value.
What do you enjoy most about your job as it pertains to Independent Schools?
I love being able to build connections and strength, between people and ideas. I love the impact on community and on learning.
What are some of your greatest achievements as a school leader?
Working with staff to help them grow in skill sets and confidence. Building community and belonging in institutions for all constituencies. Working with staff to make changes to student learning.