Effective June 1, 2014, Temple Beth Sholom (TBS) Schools in Sarasota has appointed Interim Director Dr. Wendy Katz, as it launches a national search for a new Head of School. Kavita Vasil, who has held the position for the past 20 years, announced recently that she is moving to Birmingham, Alabama for a new position and to be closer to family.
“I am humbled by the encouragement I have received not only for me personally as I move forward with the next phase of my life, but also for our staff’s excitement about this new chapter for TBS Schools. Dr. Katz’s institutional knowledge of our school, the region’s education system, and our students makes her the perfect choice to step in as I transition out,” said Vasil.
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A lifelong educator, over the past 38 years Dr. Katz has served as teacher, principal, mentor and administrator at the K-12 level in the public school system in Sarasota County. Additionally, she initiated the first preK-8 grade school in Sarasota at Laurel Nokomis. Her 8-year position as Director of Leadership Development for Sarasota County combined with her 5-year role as consultant to multiple independent schools from preK-12 contributes to her expertise.
“I am thrilled to have been considered for this important position,” said Dr. Wendy Katz. “During this transition, as we continue our search for a permanent Director of TBSS, I look forward to working collaboratively with our talented team of teachers and staff to cultivate and offer dynamic and responsive programming. I strongly encourage parent participation and interaction, as we introduce changes that will uphold and support the academic excellence and supportive learning environment that has distinguished TBSS as a premier educational institution,” she said.
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TBS Schools has assembled a search committee to embark on a national search for the next permanent Director of TBS Schools. Members of the search committee have experience in organizational behavior, organizational growth, change management and strategy with diverse professional backgrounds.
Vasil will stay on as Director through the remainder of the school year in May 2014. “While I have enjoyed my time here tremendously, I am ready to join my fiancé and his family and hand over the reigns to a new leader. With our recently completed parent focus groups, we are using the feedback gained to help guide the school as it plans for next year and beyond and looks for a next leader. This is a new and exciting opportunity for the school to move forward with new ideas, a fresh vision, and strong leadership,” said Vasil.
Temple Beth Sholom Schools (TBSS), an independent, private, all faiths day school affiliated with Temple Beth Sholom, serves the Pre-School and K-8 population in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. With a mission to impact the world through academic excellence, global citizenship and compassionate action, students are taught through Project-Based Learning (PBL) with a focus on teaching for understanding.
TBSS encompasses the Justin Lee Wiesner Preschool program, established in 1974, which consists of classes for Baby Play and education for children up through pre-K. Additionally, The Goldie Feldman Academy (GFA), an expansion of the Justin Lee Wiesner Preschool, was established in 1992 and serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The TBSS curriculum and values center on The Kavod Code, which means honor and respect in Hebrew, and is based on principles that provide a framework for living and working together in an atmosphere of honesty, integrity, mutual trust and respect. While the school is affiliated with Temple Beth Sholom, TBSS hires staff and accepts students of every religious and cultural background. TBS Schools is accredited by Florida Kindergarten Council along with the Florida Council of Independent Schools.
For more information about TBS Schools, go to www.tbsschools.org
