We are thrilled to announce that after a comprehensive and diligent search, our Search Committee has selected Gayle Kolodny Cole as the new Head of School. This decision has been met with unanimous approval from the Board of Trustees.
Gayle Kolodny Cole brings more than two decades of experience in nonprofit organizations and independent schools to her new role as Head of School. Her extensive background includes working in Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools in California. In addition to consulting, she has held full-time positions at The Center for Early Education in West Hollywood, Westmark School in Encino, Chandler School in Pasadena, and Viewpoint School in Calabasas. Her administrative positions include serving as Director of Lower School and Middle School, and most recently as Director of Digital Learning -- a role Viewpoint School created in 2020 in order to leverage Gayle’s skills in professional development, technology integration, online instruction, and teaching and learning during the transition to remote instruction.
Originally from Martinsville, Virginia, Gayle earned her bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from James Madison University, and her master's degree in Education from Walden University. She completed the Administration and Supervision certificate program jointly offered by Johns Hopkins University and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). During her tenure as Director of Lower School at Chandler School in Pasadena, Gayle served as an ex officio member on the finance and strategic planning committees, and has contributed to strategic planning and curriculum mapping initiatives at multiple schools. In her various roles, Gayle has been actively engaged in service learning programs, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, differentiation initiatives, and community engagement.
Gayle began her career as a high school English as a Second Language teacher, went on to teach fifth grade language arts for eight years, and has taught Middle School electives and Upper School advisories while working in school administration. She has a passion for helping learners of any age set and meet goals; she has led professional development workshops and provided coaching within schools, as an independent consultant, and through her work with nonprofit organizations such as Facing History and Ourselves and the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation.
Education and advocacy are important elements in Gayle’s family life as well as her career. She and her husband, Jeremy, have two young adult children, one of whom has learning differences, including dyscalculia. Their daughter, Annie (18), will embark on her college journey this fall, and their son, Aedin (20), will join Gayle and Jeremy (and Nelson the Whoodle) in their move to North Carolina.Gayle’s passion for fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment aligns perfectly with our school's values and vision. Gayle's commitment to academic excellence and her proven track record in enhancing student and faculty experiences make her the ideal leader for our school's next chapter.
Please join us in welcoming Gayle Kolodny Cole to our community. She will begin serving as Head of School on July 1, 2024. We are excited for Noble Academy’s future and confident that under Gayle's guidance, our school will continue to thrive to its greatest potential.
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