The Lyndon Institute Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Brian Bloomfield as the school’s next Head of School beginning July 1, 2022. The Search Committee’s recommendation of Dr. Bloomfield was unanimously confirmed by Lyndon Institute’s board of trustees on September 14, following a nine-month search process.  A forward-thinking educator with exceptional leadership qualities, “he will most certainly bring Lyndon Institute to the next level of excellence in all that we do,” said Loralee Tester (’96) trustee, parent, and co-chair of the search committee. “Dr. Bloomfield is committed to supporting the faculty and staff of Lyndon Institute and educating the next generation of leaders in the Northeast Kingdom. I know he will be an excellent addition to our school and community.”

Dr. Bloomfield has many years of experience as a school head, always in a setting where his inspirational leadership, outstanding communication skills, and team building style has brought him high praise from all who have worked with him.  Currently the Head of Upper School at Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, MA, a reference praised Dr. Bloomfield’s relationship with students and “his ability to reach all students, challenging them to be the best versions of themselves.” At Dexter, Dr. Bloomfield has refined the academic culture of the school through pedagogy and skill mapping and has created corresponding documentation and professional development programs. “Brian understands systems and curriculum. His brilliance and creativity, combined with his collaborative style has enabled faculty to thrive during a period of considerable growth in student enrollment,” reported the Dean of Academics at Dexter.

Prior to his position at Dexter, Dr. Bloomfield served as Head of School at The Academy at Charlemont, a grade 6 to postgraduate independent school in western Massachusetts. Several accomplishments during his time at Charlemont include establishing an alumni engagement strategy, building an ethical leadership program, and strengthening relationships within the broader community. Jennifer Botzojorns, Superintendent of Kingdom East School District and member of the search committee, shared, “Brian Bloomfield is an exceptional educational leader. His experience, intellectual curiosity, humor, and indefatigable commitment to young people and learning will be an incredible addition to Lyndon Institute – and an asset to the greater community. I look forward to the Kingdom East leadership team getting to know and partnering with Brian.”

Dr. Bloomfield’s first educational leadership role was at Nova Classical Academy in St. Paul, MN, a public charter school with an independent school mission.  During his six years at Nova Classical, the school grew from a 400 student K-6 school to a more than 900 student K-12 school with the creation of a college-preparatory high school.  Dr. Bloomfield led an $18mm building project from inception to completion, including coordinating with municipal authorities and bond underwriters. He brought the school into legal and financial compliance, oversaw a development campaign increase of 250%, and partnered with highly active parents on curricular, extra-curricular, and community programming.

Dr. Bloomfield began his teaching career at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD where he was an English teacher. While at the school, he designed both core and elective curricula, developed research taxonomies for students, and served as advisor to several student organizations.

Before entering the education field, Dr. Bloomfield worked as team leader at General Electric in Gaithersburg, MD where he was responsible for a 35+ person information technology department with annual revenue of over $4.5mm. Certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, the fiscal and operational management tools and techniques he learned while at GE have been successfully applied in the education sector.

Dr. Bloomfield holds a Ph.D. in Education and Organizational Leadership and an M.A. in English Literature, both degrees from the University of Maryland, and a B.A. in Literature and Politics from Oberlin College in Ohio.

In returning his letter of agreement, Dr. Bloomfield said, “I am both honored and humbled to join the Lyndon Institute community as the next Head of School.

From the moment I stepped onto campus, I felt a profound sense of love for this school from students, faculty, staff, trustees, and community friends. Whether in the hallways, on the playing fields, or among the many gathering spaces on campus, my conversations with students, faculty, and trustees have made it clear that LI is more than a community: it is a family. My family and I are overjoyed to join you all in calling LI home. I vow to work tirelessly and collaboratively to honor the traditions and values of LI while leading the school into its next era of strength.  I look forward to getting to know each of you as we progress on this journey together.” 

Gateway Cottage, on the LI campus, will become home to Dr. Bloomfield, his wife Carla, and their sons Owen (9) and Henry (5). The family loves to hike and camp, and they are looking forward to becoming involved in all that the community and area has to offer. This interest in outdoor adventure was shared with Chris Manges (’87), longtime LI teacher, and search committee member who said, “I am excited to share the beauty of the Northeast Kingdom with Brian’s family. Moreover, I am so hopeful and excited about the future of LI with Brian as Head of School.  He is genuine, smart and really cares about teachers and students being supported and successful. I am confident that Brian and his family will feel at home here and become an integral part of the community.”

Dr. Bloomfield will follow long time educator and alumna Twiladawn Perry, Lyndon’s current Head of School. Lyndon’s twentieth, and first-ever female head, Ms. Perry announced her retirement in the fall of 2020. During her tenure as Head, the school has benefited from her calm leadership style, persistent nature, and tireless devotion to Lyndon Institute. “The school is stronger and possesses a clear sense of mission and vision as a result of Twila’s leadership,” said Laurie Boswell, trustee and co-chair of the search committee. 

In speaking of the selection of Dr. Bloomfield as LI’s next Head, Perry said, “Brian’s prior experiences as Head of School make him an exceptionally strong fit for LI.  When I met with Brian during his visit, it was very clear to me that he holds a strong commitment to learning more about our community and becoming fully engaged in it. I am confident that he possesses the leadership skills and traits to lead LI into the future.  I am looking forward to working with him over the rest of the school year to create a smooth transition of leadership.”

The search committee was assisted by a consultant from an executive search firm, Educational Directions, who will also help guide the work of the transition team.

Dr. Brian Bloomfield (right) and his family.