Bett Worcester Alter
Greenfield,USA
Summary
Educational leader with extensive experience in program design and development, successfully securing stakeholder support. Proven ability to assess strengths and identify growth opportunities within educational settings. International educator with strong multicultural competency, fostering inclusive environments. Active community member, demonstrating visibility and commitment to student success.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Head of School for Academics
Stoneleigh-Burnham School
Greenfield, MA
07.2023 - Current
- 7-12 All-Girls, boarding, and day. Enrollment: 100.
- Recruit faculty and oversee professional development.
- 7th-12th grade curriculum development and review.
- Creation and development of the Empowerment, Ethical Global Citizenship, and Voice (EEV) Center, the Emerson Scholars, and the EEV Center Parent Education Institute.
- Serve as the acting Head of School (HOS) when the HOS is off campus.
- Key accomplishments: Increased course offerings to meet varied student needs; EEV Center programming has provided students with opportunities not previoiusly available; Diversified faculty; Right-sized administrative structure to align with lower enrollment.
Interim High School Administrator
Shanghai American School
Shanghai, CHINA
07.2021 - 07.2023
- Pre-K -12 Coeducational day school. Enrollment: 2,900.
- Coordinated daily operations and scheduling for school events amid pandemic challenges.
- Managed communications among students, parents, faculty, and staff to ensure a seamless information flow.
- Collaborated with parents to address concerns and improve student experiences.
- Supervised teaching faculty, department chairs, IB Coordinator, counselors, and administrative assistants.
- Key accomplishments: Maintained a highly functioning high school through the disruption of a global pandemic; effectively supported faculty, students, and families during a highly unpredictable period; built trustworthy relationships over a short period of time.
Founding Dean of Student Life
Shanghai Huayao Collegiate School
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Pre-K–12, coeducational boarding, and day. Opening Enrollment: 800 (opened during the global pandemic.)
- Facilitated faculty recruitment (entire residential staff, athletics program staff, and high school teachers).
- Implemented strategies to foster community engagement and support educational objectives.
- Designed and developed the school's community life curriculum and program, including residential life.
- Key accomplishments: Led the development of a nascent school culture; Organized the first opening of school faculty orientation and training;
Head of The Upper School
The Calverton School
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Pre-K–12 coeducational day and boarding. Enrollment: 330.
- Cultivated a collaborative work environment through building trustworthy and transparent relationships, restructuring meeting protocols, and sharing decision-making responsibility.
- Enhanced teamwork through inclusive decision-making, a predictable communication flow, and building time for teams to meet into the weekly schedule.
- Supported faculty engagement during the transition to the IB Diploma Program through prioritization of IB training, frequent classroom visits, public recognition of effective teaching practices, and teaching a course in the IB program.
- Collaborated with other division heads to ensure alignment of program and curriculum.
- Key accomplishments: Diversified the faculty demographics through recruitment; supported community-building events and activities. Empowered student voice through regular meetings with student leaders.
Dean of Community Life/Founder of Girls' Boarding
Christchurch School
01.2011 - 01.2014
- 9-12 coeducational boarding and day school. Enrollment: 250.
- Design, development, and implementation of a girls' boarding program with an inaugural cohort of 24 female boarders. The school now enrolls 50% female boarders.
- Collaborated with hall leaders to oversee the co-ed residential life program.
- Designed and implemented a student leadership development program that drove the creation of a healthy, coed boarding environment, and empowered student voice.
- Key accomplishments: Seamless transition to co-ed boarding program. Improved overall boarding program by building and implementing a residential life curriculum.
Director of Ethical Leadership & Global Engagement
The Frederick Gunn School
Washington, CT
01.2001 - 01.2011
- 9-12 coeducational boarding and day school. Enrollment: 300.
- Collaborated with educators to establish best practices in character and moral education.
- Reviewed History Department courses for a global perspective and inclusive content.
- Founded 'One World,' a student-led organization promoting global-mindedness and social action skills.
- Taught World History, U.S. History and a required Applied Ethics course.
- Key accomplishments: Brought global focus to a previously euro-centric history curriculum. Empowered students through the One World organization.
Middle School Social Studies Teacher
The International School of Dakar
Dakar, SENEGAL
01.1998 - 01.2000
- PK–9 Coeducational Day. Enrollment: At the time of employment, 220.
- Developed engaging lesson plans for a diverse, middle school social studies curriculum.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary units aligned with educational standards and relevant to the context of Senegal, including its Islamic culture.
- Organized field trips that enriched students' understanding of global cultures and histories.
- Key accomplishments: Recognized the need for a well-informed middle school approach; co-led an integrated science and social studies curriculum.
5th – 9th Grade Teacher
The American International School of Nouakchott
Nouakchott, MAURITANIA
01.1995 - 01.1998
- PK–9 Coeducational Day. Enrollment: 100.
- Primary teacher for a mixed-age class of 12 students, grades 5–9.
- Collaborated with specialist teachers to create an integrated curriculum that met the varied needs of our students and was relevant to the context of West Africa and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
- Key accomplishments: Built the foundations of my own teaching practice.
Assistant to the Head of School & Admissions Coordinator
North Country School
Lake Placid, NY
01.1992 - 01.1995
- PK – 8 Coeducational Day & Boarding. Enrollment: 100.
- Organized events and meetings with faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and other stakeholders in the educational community.
- Coordinated enrollment process and candidate visits to campus.
- Key accomplishments: Built the foundation of my understanding of school leadership through my role supporting the head of school.
West Virginia Scholars Program Faculty Member
The Mountain Institute
Franklin, WV
01.1989 - 01.1992
- Private/Non-Profit International Development Organization.
- Thesis reader for the West Virginia Scholars Academy.
- Provided information and guidance regarding the financial aid application process.
- Key accomplishments: Recognized and developed a deep appreciation for student self-awareness and understanding.
Education
M.A. - Educational Leadership
The Klingenstein Center, Teachers College Columbia University
New York, NYB.A. - Sociology/Social Work
The University of Maine
Orono, MaineSkills
- Curriculum development
- Program design and development
- Classroom observation
- Faculty mentoring
- Budget management
- Strategic planning
- Effective communication
- Relationship building
- Crisis management
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Accreditation process oversight
- Collaboration
- Multicultural competence
- Faculty recruitment
- Relationship-building
Professional Objectives
- To contribute to the ongoing evolution of international education through collaborative leadership and innovative thinking.
- To empower girls through the ongoing evolution of all-girls education.
- To work with a team of educators who strive for excellence in an environment that privileges strong and open collegial, faculty-student, and family relationships.
- To collaborate with a diverse team of educators toward inclusive and equitable practice.
- To be part of a school that is fair, clear in purpose and effective in approach, compassionate, service-oriented, authentically rigorous, vigorous, and student-centered, and where all voices are heard and appreciated.
Timeline
Associate Head of School for Academics
Stoneleigh-Burnham School
07.2023 - Current
Interim High School Administrator
Shanghai American School
07.2021 - 07.2023
Founding Dean of Student Life
Shanghai Huayao Collegiate School
01.2019 - 01.2021
Head of The Upper School
The Calverton School
01.2015 - 01.2019
Dean of Community Life/Founder of Girls' Boarding
Christchurch School
01.2011 - 01.2014
Director of Ethical Leadership & Global Engagement
The Frederick Gunn School
01.2001 - 01.2011
Middle School Social Studies Teacher
The International School of Dakar
01.1998 - 01.2000
5th – 9th Grade Teacher
The American International School of Nouakchott
01.1995 - 01.1998
Assistant to the Head of School & Admissions Coordinator
North Country School
01.1992 - 01.1995
West Virginia Scholars Program Faculty Member
The Mountain Institute
01.1989 - 01.1992
M.A. - Educational Leadership
The Klingenstein Center, Teachers College Columbia University
B.A. - Sociology/Social Work
The University of Maine