We are delighted to welcome Lauren to Sea Crest School and the Half Moon Bay Community. Lauren received overwhelmingly positive support from parents, faculty, staff, leadership and the Board of Trustees during the search process. Her successful and extensive education experience as a teacher, administrator and Assistant Head of School at The Presentation School in Sonoma, CA as well as her passion for educating the whole child is very aligned with Sea Crest’s mission and makes her well suited for Sea Crest’s next chapter.
Ms. Miller grew up in the bay area in the town of Sonoma, she studied Directing for the Stage at Vassar College, holds Bachelors degrees in Drama and Broadcast Communications from San Francisco State University and her Masters degree in Education with a Multi-Subject teaching credential from Dominican University of California. Prior to her education career, Ms. Miller held roles in administration and development.
In her time at The Presentation School, Ms. Miller developed curriculum, taught Kindergarten and 1st grade, and was elected to the Leadership committee by peers to help guide school curriculum, schedule, and student life program decisions. She developed innovative approaches in technology integration across the curriculum, experiential learning, literacy and diversity areas. As Performing Arts Program Chair, she led the performing arts curriculum and directed all-school productions. She served as Director of Admissions and Advancement, creating new programs for recruitment, which lead to at-capacity enrollment. Lauren also developed and implemented all fundraising activities, including innovative giving and volunteer and community partnership programs that encouraged volunteer and community participation in the annual fund, a capital campaign and special events. As Assistant Head of School, Ms. Miller assists the head with all duties and represents The Presentation School with parents and faculty and the external Sonoma community as well as with other Bay Area independent schools. She worked collaboratively in developing a five year strategic financial plan and serves as a member of the Finance Committee to examine the school’s financial sustainability and overall fiscal soundness. She plays a major role in the life of the school and is deeply involved in the day-to-day work of faculty and students.
During the search process, Lauren expressed, “Sea Crest’s mission resonates with my belief that we are educating young people who will inspire the changes our society will encounter. Teaching the whole student requires a community with strong relationships, skilled leadership, and a vibrant learning culture. The value must be placed not merely on grades, but on the understanding of what is being learned and why. While the goal remains to create lifelong learners, what I have learned is that students need to know how to fail, how to develop self-advocacy, and how to think in innovative ways for the jobs that have yet to be created in this world.”
Throughout the search process, it was clear to all constituents that Lauren appreciates Sea Crest’s focus on character development, the arts, academics and athletics, which are all integral to developing the whole child. While there were many things that attracted Lauren to Sea Crest School, Lauren knew that she knew she had found her home after visiting Half Moon Bay and talking with the people in our community, commenting that “Sea Crest is a thriving school, doing amazing work each day. Having the knowledge that I will have a fully committed and supportive board gives me the confidence that we can - and will - do brilliant things. Observing a staff that truly believes in the mission and has a love for its students brings such excitement for my own children to experience.”
The Board of Trustees is assembling a transition team to support Ms. Miller and ensure a smooth transition to Sea Crest and Half Moon Bay. We are thankful to Sea Crest’s current head of school, Dr. Tekakwitha Pernambuco-Wise, for her leadership over her seven year tenure. She will remain as the head of school until June 30, 2020.
Lauren will be moving to the coast with her family. Please join us in welcoming Lauren, and her husband, Greg, and their two children to our community. Lauren will begin officially at the school on July 1, 2020.
Sincerely,
