Jeremy Moore
Each month RG175 does a "deeper dive" to get to know one of our Independent School colleagues. This month we are spotlighting our newest RG175 consultant, Jeremy Moore. As a contributor to international education, Jeremy has served multiple organizations including the International Schools Advisory Committee for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a regular presenter and contributor to the Association for the Advancement of International Education. At the American International School of Johannesburg, Jeremy served as the Director of two campuses with more than 1,000 students.
Jeremy was a member of the Columbia University Klingenstein Heads Program. With a focus on coaching, Jeremy is also a mentor for the Leadership Mentoring Program for the Academy of International School Heads, and he continues to be an advisor for new leaders. To read Jeremy's entire bio, click here.
Why did you choose RG175?
There is a mindset of service that underpins the work of RG175. There is no doubt that the firm highly values positive relationships, partnerships, and cultivating and supporting leadership. The members of the firm have endless wisdom to share, and the team operates with authenticity and a dynamic that you find in a caring family, not in a standard recruitment corporation.
What are you looking forward to most about being a consultant in a search?
Whether they are a candidate, a Board member, an educator or member of a school community, I feel that it’s a privilege to hear the stories of someone I don’t know. In every search process I experience the gift of meeting new people, building new connections, and growing from the insights of others. In addition, I love schools. I enjoy the vast diversity of the organizations and the uniqueness of each campus and community.
What is most rewarding about serving as a mentor to a school head?
Being a school Head can be a lonely role, and a mentor who has walked in their shoes is one of the few people who can truly provide legitimate empathy and meaningful support. My mentors have helped me reach clarity and brought me peace of mind, while at the same time serving as a facilitator in problem solving and coaching me to be my best self. I find it rewarding to continually learn through the mentor-mentee relationship, and it’s an honor to serve them.
What are some of your former achievements when you were a head of school?
It is irrefutable that leaders are essential to school success; but someone once shared that the Head of School receives too much credit for great achievements and too much blame for school downfalls. I may have had some influence on doubling student enrollment, reaching the highest IB scores in the history of the school, and other achievements, but I know without question that I had a direct impact on the culture of the schools that I led. Creating positive cultures of learning, kindness and collaboration (instead of negativity and compliance) are meaningful successes.
What are your thoughts on the search process?
The search process must employ strategies that predict success in bringing forward exemplary leaders for future-ready, student-centered and financially healthy schools– where the Head of school also becomes a long-serving leader for and with the school community. The process can be fraught with personal quirks, loaded with opinion and is vulnerable to unstructured perspectives, unconscious bias, gut feelings and other inaccurate mental shortcuts. Working in partnership with schools, our strategies include expertise in attracting and cultivating talent, identifying talent that fits the unique needs of the school, collaborating with the search committee and school community, and supporting the appointed Head of School.
Why are you doing this? Concerned with leadership in independent schools?
Perhaps now more than ever, the role of a school Head is exceptionally complex and challenging. Ensuring that the right leaders are in the right schools, and supporting them to be successful, are imperative for students to flourish and build a positive future.