The Board of Trustees of Brentwood School has appointed MICHAEL RIERA, PH.D. as the school’s next Head of School, beginning his tenure on July 1, 2011. Dr. Riera’s appointment is the culmination of an extensive national search and a unanimous recommendation from the multi-tiered Head of School Search Committee.
Dr. Riera has been Head of School at Redwood Day School in Oakland, CA since 2004 and brings an impressive breadth of experience in independent school education. Prior to his seven years at Redwood Day, Dr. Riera served as Dean of Students at Marin Academy in San Rafael, CA, School Counselor at University High School in San Francisco, and Associate Director of Residential Life at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. He is also the author of five best-selling and award-winning books on parenting and adolescence: Staying Connected to your Teenager, Right From Wrong: Instilling a Sense of Integrity in Your Child, Field Guide to the American Teenager, Surviving High School, and Uncommon Sense for Parents With Teenagers. He has appeared numerous times on radio and television as an expert on these topics. Dr. Riera earned his B.A. in Economics with a minor in Education from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, his M.A. in Psychology from Antioch University in New England, and his Ph.D. in Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco.
“Dr. Riera is a skilled communicator and a charismatic leader,†said Lynn Jacobson, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “His passion for education and child and adolescent behavior aligns beautifully with Brentwood School’s mission and statement of purpose. He is committed to the core values that Brentwood School espouses: Trust, Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Caring, and Community.â€
“On my visits to Brentwood I fell in love with the school, it’s that simple,†said Riera. “There is an energetic intelligence that seemingly vibrates in the air, from the kindergartners all the way through to the seniors. Relationships between faculty and students are deep and caring, along with high expectations for academic distinction and ethical behavior. Top-flight educators, engaged students, caring families, and devoted trustees, what’s not to love? I am thrilled.â€
“I am extremely grateful to our Search Committee for the thousands of hours and many months dedicated to this process,†said Jacobson. “They worked tirelessly and thoughtfully to identify prospective candidates and seek meaningful input from every constituency that comprises our community: students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and trustees.â€
The Brentwood School community will now turn its attention to outgoing Head of School Dr. Michael Pratt. Dr. Pratt has made many significant and lasting contributions during his ten years at Brentwood School. He has elevated the school community with his intellect, unimpeachable integrity, and strong values, and he will play a meaningful role during the transition process.
