By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The Northwest School, an independent day and boarding school in Seattle, has hired Ray Wilson as its Head of School, making him the first African American to hold the position in the school’s 40-year history.
The school — founded in 1980, is an independent college preparatory school, serving 6-12 grade — has an enrollment of approximately 500 students, including 80 students from countries other than the United States, who are part of its international boarding program.
“I am excited about this opportunity to work with students and colleagues in Northwest School’s unique learning environment,” says Wilson. “I believe that a day/boarding school education is a dynamic pathway for engaging students both academically and socially as they strive to develop a deeper understanding of themselves by working with peers from various parts of the world.”
According to Wilson, who has a strong track record when it comes to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity and social justice, becoming head of school is a dream come true. But he acknowledges that it was also a journey of patience in waiting for the right opportunity to come along.
“As a long-term educator I had always had the goal and aspiration of being the Head of School,” says Wilson. “I’ve learned over the years that the right school would come along at the right time and everything would sync up when it supposed to sync up.”
“The Northwest has been a school that I’ve known about, but the combination of 6th – 12th grade configuration along-side a day and boarding program, coupled with the focus on social justice, the arts and the global perspective all resonated with me so when the position opened up I did not hesitate to put my name in the hat,” Wilson adds.
Wilson, who has 28 years of leadership and teaching experience in independent schools, is part of a growing trend that will see seven people of color heading independent schools in the Seattle area this fall. With children of color making up 25 to 30 percent of the student population at the Northwest school, Wilson believes it’s important for student to see people who look like them in leadership positions.
“I think we all serve as a visual marker of what is possible and along with that action has to follow,” says Wilson. “So, I’ve always taken pride in not only being a visible example of what a Black man can be and how we can be in an educational setting but also the action that follow.”
Shashonna Sumka, Executive Director of Independent School Experiential Educators Network (ISEEN) — an organization that supports the networking, idea sharing, and collegiality of experiential educators from over 200 independent schools across the United States, Canada, Europe, South Korea, Hong Kong, and South Africa, where Wilson sits on the board — says that Wilson will bring a level of leadership that is needed in educational leadership today.
“In my work with Ray on the Board of our non-profit, he has always consistently promoted equity, social justice, diversity and inclusion,” says Sumka. “So, I see him as a leader in the field not only at Northwest School but independent schools across North America.”
As the new Head of School, Wilson wants to further develop a culture of inclusion at the schools and continue to teach young people to be critical and compassionate thinkers as they find their place in this world.
“I believe in redefining the norm,” says Wilson. “So, what I mean by that is there may be some preconceived notions about independent schools and my goal at Northwest, as throughout my career as an educator, is to let the community know that we are inclusive and committed to the work that is best suited for today’s young people and that our academic program will continue in such that students will grow and emerge as competent learners and thinkers and develop a sense of how they can contribute to the world beyond their time at the school.”
Wilson holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California – Santa Cruz, and an Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Holy Names University in Oakland, California.
Prior to coming to Northwest School, Wilson served as Upper School Director at Seattle’s Bush School, a role he held for eight years. Over his career, Wilson has worked in day and boarding schools across the country, including in Washington, California, Georgia, Virginia, and Louisiana. He has a breadth of experience in education, including math and history teacher, Middle School & Upper School Director, Director of College Counseling, Director of Athletics, Assistant Dean of Students, international boarding/dorm parent, domestic and international admissions panels, Finance Committee, campus master planning, and a new building campaign and construction.
Wilson will begin his tenure at the Northwest school on July 1.
