Eimer Page Announced to Serve as Academy’s Next Assistant Principal
By JAYDEN OH, ANDREW YANG, and MEGHAN TATE ZEE
image courtesy of exeter.edu
On Monday, Jan. 6, the Academy announced Eimer Page to be its new Assistant Principal in the upcoming school year, assuming the role of Karen Lassey. Page currently serves as the Dean of Faculty, leading the hiring process, onboarding, and developing Exeter’s faculty.
Transitioning from Dean of Faculty to Assistant Principal is not an easy task, Page explained. The new role requires more long-term planning and focuses on a different community: “My current role is very focused on situations that unfold moment-to-moment or day-to-day—do we have someone to cover a class or duty due to an illness? Where can we fund a teacher’s attendance to speak at a conference? Who will join a new committee or advise a club when someone retires? I’m hoping to have a bit more headspace to think about longer term projects and planning in the new role,” Page said.
She added, “My advisees know how much I enjoy working directly with students, but I haven’t had as much time to do that as I’d like in the Dean of Faculty role.”
As the current Assistant Principal, Lassey, who will become Head of School at Emma Willard School in July, noted that as challenging the position of Dean of Faculty can be, “there will be plenty of curveballs in [her] new role, too.”
Despite the challenges of this role, Page has gained significant experience from her previous jobs and is skilled at navigating difficult conversations while managing complex relationships to meet and exceed expectations. She described, “Everything I’ve done at Exeter since I arrived in 2004, from teaching to club advising; mentoring colleagues; serving on multiple committees; dorm head, advising and other residential duties; directing our Global Initiatives for a decade; and working as Dean of Faculty has enriched my understanding of our complex school and forged relationships with colleagues across all areas of the school. I’ve gained a lot of experience and been given a lot of guidance in financial and risk management and had plenty of practice holding challenging situations and conversations.”
Prep Emi Southgate shared her hopes for the new Assistant Principal: “I think it’s important to continue making sure that the campus is an enjoyable and inclusive place, that people are doing okay, and that the homework load isn’t too overbearing.”
Lower Hugo Shinn expressed his mixed opinions on the community of Exeter. He explained, “I think that the community at Exeter is great, I think it’s a very diverse and inclusive community where you can really build a strong network. That being said, it still is Exeter, and some of the smartest, most talented kids come from all over the world. It builds a very competitive environment, and I think that many people can feel burned out by the constant thought that there is always someone better than you at anything. There is also a stereotype of Exeter being a private school that sends a crazy amount of their population to Ivys.”
He continued by conveying his expectations for the new environment Page will bring, “I think that the way the new Assistant Principal can help fight this is by opening the student body towards mental health more. Whether that is introducing it through assembly, or any other ways, I think it would have a positive impact to make more students aware of the kind of support you can find on campus.”
Page assured that she will work towards these goals by encouraging more students to connect with the Academy’s trustees. “I hope students will take advantage of any invitations to spend time with the trustees because that group really demonstrates a lifelong love of Exeter and a deep investment in its future. We have amazing people, adults and students alike here, and they strive to grow and learn throughout their time here. Anything I can do to aid that journey is good work.”
Similarly, Page looks forward to nurturing a connected community of Exeter alumni, parents, and students across the Exeter campus: “I’m excited to settle into a new phase of my career here at Exeter and to offer my perspective as the school navigates a changing landscape of technology, student and parent experiences and expectations, and engagement with our alumni body and prospective families. Supporting our community’s sense of belonging has been at the heart of my work in the various roles I’ve held and will continue to be a core value in my new role.”
Working at Exeter for over two decades, Page is familiar with multiple departments in Exeter. She explained how these relationships are valuable for her upcoming role as Assistant Principal: “I hope to maintain the close connections I’ve made with faculty and staff across departments and also support the work of the people whose positions are under this umbrella of responsibilities like Exeter Summer, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Lamont Health and Wellness Center, Student Wellbeing and our Institutional Research priorities,” she shared.
Page also commended Lassey on her work and aspires to learn from her. She praised, “Dr. Lassey has done an amazing job connecting with students in ways that aren’t necessarily known by everyone, from teaching to dorm duties, work in the Learning Center, and club advising. I’d like to continue her legacy and be as student-facing as I can in the new role.”
Page is an integral pillar of the Academy. Through her time and dedication to the Exeter community, she will be sure to take on the role of Assistant Principal with love and passion. Page stated, “I can’t think of any school I’d rather work in than this one, and I am very honored to have been entrusted with this position.”