New Middle School Director Joins Polytechnic School

Rebecca Nelson has been appointed the new Middle School director at Polytechnic School effective July 1, 2015. She comes to Poly with almost 20 years in education in a variety of capacities including admissions, teaching, mentoring, advising, managing, facilitating, and leading. Nelson most recently served as head of the Middle School at St. John’s Episcopal School in Dallas, Texas. During her tenure at St. John’s, her impact was significant: She instituted and trained grade-level leaders to more effectively manage and lead the Middle School; implemented the Mission Skills Assessment in grades 6-8; and partnered with other institutions to share data trends and resources. Additionally, Nelson created a division advisory board composed of student representatives (independent of the student council) to ensure an inclusive student voice was heard in planned changes to schedule, discipline, student leadership and awards.

Since 2003, Nelson has been a faculty member of NAIS’ Summer Diversity Institute, where she has designed and led workshops for adults centered on creating inclusive school communities and has facilitated small groups to model conflict resolution, experiential learning, and engagement around difficult conversations. While at a previous institution, she was asked to implement and manage a school-wide diversity committee.

Nelson earned a master’s degree in private school leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics /computer science and history with a certificate in business management from Sweet Briar College.

For more information about Polytechnic School, visit www.polytechnic.org.