Since the beginning of the school year, Episcopal administration has been conducting a nationwide search for the permanent Head of Upper School, though much of the EA community has come forward in support of Interim Head of Upper School Mike Letts for the position. Letts, with his personable demeanor and deep community ties, should without question be at the top of Head of School TJ Locke’s list.
After 14 years at Episcopal, Letts has an advantage compared to other candidates. As Letts himself says, “This is a very dynamic community. It is a community with an enormous amount of history and tradition. I think it’s very important that you have some institutional knowledge, that you know this community, you know how we operate, you know what is sort of the Episcopal way.” He credits his years of experience at EA as the reason why he has been able “to move quickly on things that need immediate attention” these past few months. This includes, for example, Letts’s quick response to the issues the new schedule has created with lunch times. When, at the start of the school year, the cafeteria was crowded with long checkout lines, Letts readjusted parts of the schedule to free up the space.
Photo courtesy of Mark Tassoni
Parent Lynda Talbot, who coordinated a group of about 30 mothers to email Episcopal administration in support of Letts, also says that an understanding of school culture is critical for the Head of Upper School position. She points out EA/Haverford/AIS weekend as an example of this, saying, “I think a big part of Episcopal is the traditions. Specifically things like EA/Haverford weekend, how for the last few years that’s been really downplayed. For me, that’s a real highlight of the high school years.” Talbot thinks that it “was really really wrong” that students were not allowed to cheer on some of the girls varsity athletes during competitions a few years ago because they had classes in the morning. Letts, who has a background at Episcopal, would avoid making a similar mistake, since he understands how important certain traditions are to the student body.
Not only does he know the culture of our school, he knows the students personally. While he may be fulfilling administrative duties currently, he nonetheless makes an effort to connect, a trait that holds value amongst the student body. Ally Marino ‘18 says, “I think he’s doing an awesome job. I feel like he is present in our lives and seems to care so much about our well-being.” This rapport with students is important for a role in which his decisions heavily impact their day to day experiences. Talbot also confirms that her daughter “feels comfortable with him. She was able to talk to him about what she does and doesn’t like about the new schedule and she didn’t feel intimidated at all about it because she’s known him since kindergarten.”
His ties at EA go beyond students, however, for Letts has been a teacher, Form Dean, and not to mention is an Episcopal parent of three. This versatility serves him well in understanding the obligations of each member of the community. “He knows EA in so many ways. He knows it as a parent, he knows it as a teacher, and he knows it as an administrator. So he’s really in touch with the needs of the teachers, the needs of the students, and the needs of the parents,” Talbot explains. “I think he as a parent sees it at home. He knows what too much homework looks like and he knows what not getting home until 7 o’clock at looks like. As a parent, for me, that’s important that if I have an issue I can talk to somebody who is living the same life we are living and understands it.”
Rob Trumbull, Upper School history teacher, says that teachers really feel like Letts has been on their side, having been one himself. “He’s been in the trenches. He knows the culture, our students, and what it’s like to be a teacher,” Trumbull says. Letts elaborates that in order to successfully lead in as the Head of Upper School, “you have to be willing to do the things you ask your faculty and staff to do. You have to have a tireless work ethic, you have to be willing to proctor study halls, you have to be willing to be here for events, go to games, you have to be willing to do all those little things that the faculty do on a daily basis. You have to walk the walk essentially.” Thus far, Letts seems to have done just that.
In addition to his years of experience at Episcopal, Letts’s candid, thoughtful, and proactive approach to leading the Upper School has understandably earned the respect and support from a large portion of the community. It would be a shame for the Board of Trustees, Dr. Locke, and others making the final decision to opt for someone with fancier titles and credentials over Letts. Students, teachers, and parents agree, Letts should be hired as a permanent Head of Upper School.