Tom Roderick, who has been Morningside Center's executive director for the past 35 years, announces that he will be leaving that post by the end of 2018. A search for a new executive director begins soon.
Dear friends of Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility,
I'm writing to share the news that after 35 years of leading Morningside Center, I'll be stepping out of the executive director's position during 2018.
The organization is strong, and I love the work we do. My health is great. But I have been doing this work for 35 years, I'm 75 years old, and I need to make time for other things. I'm not ready for "retirement," but I am ready for redeployment!
I am taking this step at a time when Morningside Center is at a high point. The work we are doing is more incisive and more needed than ever. We're tremendously excited to be playing a special role in the movement for racial equity in education. The tools we have developed to foster social and emotional learning and restorative practices are essential if educators are to turn their schools toward justice.
Morningside Center has strong financial and organizational health, and our reach is wider than ever. The diverse team of people who work at Morningside Center (including 17 full-time and 26 per diem staff) are deeply committed, skilled, and creative people who passionately embrace our mission and take daily delight in their work together.
We will soon begin the search for a new executive director who can lead our organization into the future with passion, wisdom, creativity, and kindness. Joyce Dudley, the chair of our Board of Directors, has appointed a search committee, and the Board has hired a search firm, Phillips Oppenheim, and Paul Spivey, a principal of the firm, to direct the search.
We will release the position description soon, and will share it with you.
If all goes according to plan, my successor will be in place by this fall. I'll continue to work for the organization full-time through the end of 2018.
In the meantime, I want to express my gratitude and joy that I've had such a long and fruitful run as Executive Director of Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility.
Warmly,
Tom
Tom Roderick
Executive Director
Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility