Christopher Freer
College Park,GA
Summary
A proven educational leader with 30 years of experience in the independent school world, having served in multiple senior level administrative positions for the past 15 years. Student-centered vision has led to the establishment of long-standing, meaningful relationships based on trust and shared experiences. A life long learner with the heart of an educator, prepared and eager to serve as the 8th President of Woodward Academy.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President for Advancement
Woodward Academy
01.2018 - Current
- Oversee team of 12 professional fundraisers and hundreds of volunteers to raise philanthropic revenue for Woodward Academy.
- Increased Woodward Fund dollars and participation levels annually setting new school records.
- Implemented new fALL IN campaign for The Woodward Fund.
- Raised in excess of $XXX Capital Gifts
- Established new Endowment funded prizes, professorships and chairs in excess of $XXX
- Led design and development of Academy's new History Center and Archives to tell Our Woodward story.
Vice President for Student Life
Woodward Academy
01.2010 - 01.2018
- Oversaw Student Life Programming and Co-curricular Academy-wide, including athletics, school community building, character and leadership development, experiential learning, DEIB initiatives and Service Learning.
- Created global opportunities for student travel through increased partnerships with sister schools throughout world and established programs like School Year Abroad, High School in Israel and Ox-Bow School of Art.
- Expanded leadership development opportunities for students from Primary school to Upper School.
- Oversaw development of Academy-wide Campus Safety and Crisis Management Plans.
- Supervise Director of Campus Safety, Director of Security and team of 12 security officers.
- Hired and supervised athletic administration including $1.8 million budget
- Established GMA and Woodward Academy Athletic Hall of Fame.
- Designed and Oversaw Construction of Willingham Athletic Complex, including approval of city zoning variances.
Principal, Upper School
Woodward Academy
01.2012 - 01.2018
- Led faculty and staff of more than 140 educational professionals and almost 1,100 students in grades 9-12.
- Oversaw Design and Construction of Jane Woodruff Hall - 101,000 sq ft Humanities building - on time and under budget.
- Organized logistics during construction for temporary classroom space for more than 40 teachers and their students, including renovating three story academic building.
- Oversaw budget of $XX million
- Established Academic Council for met biweekly to strategically coordinate curricular and co-curricular
- Led development of first new Daily Schedule for Upper School since 1973 creating less frenetic pace and increased Academic opportunities.
- Established new Advisory Program to help make big school feel small and ensure that every student is known.
Assistant Principal, Upper School
Woodward Academy
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Played crucial role in supporting overall administration and management of Upper School including supervision of instruction.
- Worked closely with principal to ensure smooth operation of school, focusing on academic excellence, student life and development of positive school culture.
- Collaborate with teachers and curriculum coordinators to develop and implement effective instructional strategies.
- Monitor curriculum alignment with state standards and educational best practices.
- Provide instructional support and resources to teachers to enhance student learning outcomes.
Dean of Student Life, Upper School
Woodward Academy
01.1998 - 01.2010
- Served as first ever Dean of Student Life at Woodward Academy, leading co-curricular opportunities in Upper School.
- Organized very first Week of Understanding, Academy-wide celebration of our diversity as school community. This triennial event became annual tradition in 2009 and continues today.
- Created Seniors Last Blast and Spring Fling traditions that continue today.
- Started Outdoors Club that continues to take Upper School students camping, white water rafting, snow skiing and other experiential learning opportunities.
- Established Freshman and New Student Orientation programs for Upper School that Middle School adopted and continues today.
- Constituted Student Life committee that developed traditions like annual Homecoming parade, senior week, student leadership retreat and other student affinity groups likes Five Points club.
- Helped to coordinate and chaperone school trips with performing and visual arts programs.
Teacher and Coach
Woodward Academy
01.1994 - Current
- Taught wide range of classes from 9th grade government and economics to senior level courses on The American Presidency and Constitutional Theory and variety of levels from College Prep to Honors.
- Developed and tailored pedagogy and curriculum to meet varied needs of group of diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and project based learning.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Served as a Head Coach and Varsity Assistant in Football, Wrestling and Track & Field and Lower and Middle School coach in Football and Lacrosse.
Education
B.A. - Political Science
Davidson College
Davidson, NC1994
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership
The University of Georgia
Athens, GA2003
Ph.D. - Educational Policy Studies
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA2008
Executive Education - Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership
Harvard Kennedy School
Cambridge, MA2018
Skills
- Life Long Learner
- Teacher and Coach
- Authentic Leader
- Strategic and Critical Thinker
- Community Builder
- Change Agent
- Inspirational Communicator
- Champion of Student Life
- DEIB Advocate and Ally
- Exponential Fundraiser
Church
- All Saints' Episcopal Church, Member, 1999 - present
- Sacred Ground: Dialogue on Race & Faith, 2021 - 2022
- All Saints' Leadership Round Table, 2022 - 2023
Professional Societies And Organizations
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education, 2018-present
- National Association of Secondary School Principals, 2012-2018
- National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, 2010-2018
- National Association of Independent Schools, 2008-present
- Southern Association of Independent Schools, 2008-present
- American Educational Research Association, 2004-present
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2004-present
- Pi Lambda Theta, 2004-present
- University Continuing Education Association, 2004-present
- Curriculum and Pedagogy, 2005-present
- Southeast Philosophy of Education Society, 2006-2007
Presentations And Publications
- Reimagining Your Advisory Board: From Honorary Title to Strategic Asset, CASE-NAIS Annual Conference, January 2024, Austin, TX
- Don't Fear Change! Rethinking the Annual Fund, INDEX Annual Conference, November 2019, Dallas, TX
- How to Craft a Compelling, Meaningful, Four-Year Co-Curricular High School Life at Little or No Cost, SACAC Annual Conference, April 2016, Miami, FL
- Community Service, INMAX Conference, February 2010, San Francisco, CA
- The role of public pedagogy in school culture, Southeast Philosophy of Education Society, February 2006, Decatur, GA
- Influence of parents on the curriculum of private schools, Curriculum and Pedagogy Group, October 2008, Decatur, GA
- Parental influence on curricular decisions in private schools: Negotiating parental expectations, Doctoral dissertation, 2008
Honors And Professional Experiences
- Regional Leadership Institute, Atlanta Regional Commission, 2017
- Harvard Graduate School of Education Leadership Program, 2016
- Leadership Atlanta, Class of 2014, 2013 - present
- NAIS Aspiring School Heads Fellowship, 2010 - 2011
- Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society Key, 2008
- Woodward Academy Yearbook Tribute, 2003, 2015
- GACA Region Coach of the Year-Girls Track, 1999 & 2000
- GACA Region Coach of the Year-Boys Track, 1999
- GACA Region Assistant Coach of the Year- Football, 1996 & 1997
- GACA Region Assistant Coach of the Year- Boys & Girls Track, 1998
- All-Academic Football Team, Southern Conference, 1993 - 1994
- Davidson in Washington, 1993
Timeline
Vice President for Advancement
Woodward Academy
01.2018 - Current
Principal, Upper School
Woodward Academy
01.2012 - 01.2018
Vice President for Student Life
Woodward Academy
01.2010 - 01.2018
Assistant Principal, Upper School
Woodward Academy
01.2007 - 01.2010
Dean of Student Life, Upper School
Woodward Academy
01.1998 - 01.2010
Teacher and Coach
Woodward Academy
01.1994 - Current
B.A. - Political Science
Davidson College
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership
The University of Georgia
Ph.D. - Educational Policy Studies
Georgia State University
Executive Education - Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership
Harvard Kennedy School
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