Lower School Director Announcement

We are thrilled to announce that Johanna Aeschliman will join Redwood Day as our next Lower School Director beginning July 1, 2018. Johanna has a wealth of experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools, and we are excited to welcome her to our community!

Currently, Johanna is the Head of the Middle School (Grades 4-8) at Brooklyn Heights Montessori School in Brooklyn, NY, a position she has held since 2013. In this role, Johanna is responsible for the daily operation of the Middle School, including teacher recruitment and retention, curriculum review, student and family support, admissions partnership, and strategic planning. Prior to this role, Johanna has held various leadership positions such as Director of Studies, Director of Teacher Training, and Dean of Students at Chestnut Hill School in Massachusetts. Johanna spent the first 10 years of her career as a head teacher of first, second, and fourth grades.

Over these years, Johanna also served as the Director of the Collegiate Teaching Institute in New York, NY and as a Core Faculty member of the Kingswood Oxford Leadership Institute for Educators of Color in Hartford, CT. In both of these roles, Johanna worked to promote leadership and development for educators of color in independent education. In addition to her many years of experience, Johanna holds a B.S. in Psychology and a M.A.T. in Curriculum and Instruction from Howard University. She also holds a M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Lesley University.

Finding someone of Johanna’s caliber is no small feat, and I would like to personally honor the Lower School Director Hiring Committee members for their dedication and commitment to this process:

Vicky Green, 2nd Grade Teacher and Teaching Assistant Coordinator
Erika Lagrisola, 4th Grade Teacher and Teaching Assistant Coordinator
Katrina Lappin, Director of Admissions and Tuition Assistance
Jim Rendle, Middle School Director
Stephanie Roth, K-5 Physical Education Teacher and Service Learning Coordinator
Rhonda Smith, 3rd Grade Teacher
Meredith Spencer, Director of After School and Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Cheryl Ting, Assistant Head of School

Johanna is excited to join the Redwood Day community. She and her daughter, Camryn (age 12), are looking forward to moving to Oakland in June. Over the next few months, Johanna will be working closely with Kelly Nelson to ensure a smooth transition, and she looks forward to meeting students and families at the beginning of next school year!