Open To Work
DOUGLAS F. POSKITT
Summary
Senior educational leader with vast experience in independent schools, specializing in strategic leadership, program management, team development, and operational excellence. Proven success building systems from the ground up; leading large teams through change; strengthening hiring, onboarding, performance management, and professional development; plus creating clear accountability structures that improve consistency and stakeholder experience. Deep experience in data-informed decision making, cross-functional collaboration, and student-centered service, with practitioner credibility as an active classroom teacher.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dean of Faculty
Tower Hill School
Wilmington, DE
01.2024 - Current
- Established a formal N-12 professional learning infrastructure, including onboarding, growth, and accountability systems used across all divisions.
- Designed and implemented an 'Essential Expectations' growth model to guide coaching, evaluation, and continuous improvement for all teaching faculty.
- Directed the PAIS reaccreditation process (2024–2026).
- Continue to teach Modern World History and AP U.S. Government & Politics, maintaining instructional credibility and direct student engagement.
Associate Head of School / Dean of Faculty
Worcester Academy
Worcester, MA
01.2019 - 01.2024
- Established a dual enrollment program with Anna Maria College, providing PG students free-of-charge access to college-level Business and Leadership courses.
- Co-authored school-wide Learning Principles currently used as the basis for coaching, observation, and departmental calibration.
- Led professional learning cohorts on authentic assessment, equitable grading, genAI, and project-based learning, improving the consistency of staff practice and retention.
- Directed the NEASC reaccreditation process (2021–2023).
- Mentored and evaluated sixteen direct reports through structured observation and feedback.
- Redesigned the academic schedule to create protected time for collaboration, professional learning, student support, and wellness.
- Authored and executed the Distance Learning Plan, coordinating school-wide implementation.
- Partnered with school leadership on strategic planning initiatives.
Dean of Academics
Cape Cod Academy
Osterville, MA
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Built the academic infrastructure for a new leadership role, including hiring, onboarding, mentorship, and professional development systems.
- Managed full faculty lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, observation, coaching, and development.
- Strengthened student support protocols and improved academic outcomes through intervention.
Upper School Head / History Department Chair
Rocky Hill School
East Greenwich, RI
01.2008 - 01.2017
- Directed academic, co-curricular, and student life programming for ~200 students in grades 9–12.
- Served on Administrative, Student Support, Curriculum, and Strategic Planning committees, contributing to institutional planning and decision-making.
- Co-chaired the institutional reaccreditation process.
- Designed a rigorous Senior Seminar with project-based outcomes evaluated by external panelists.
History Department Chair / Associate Dean of Students
Westtown School
Westtown, PA
01.1995 - 01.2007
- Directed an Advisor System involving 60+ faculty advisors and 400+ students.
- Coordinated residential life and student culture programming as Associate Dean of Students.
- Developed an independent study program and Archives Project that strengthened research rigor and created a replicable facilitation model.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History and Education
Bucknell University
Master of Science - Secondary Education
University of Pennsylvania
01-2026
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Program Direction
- Team Leadership
- Operational Excellence
- Change Leadership
- Growth-Oriented Leadership
- Hiring and Onboarding
- Performance Management
- Coaching & Feedback Systems
- Staff Development
- Stakeholder Relationship Mgmt
- Data-Informed Decision Making
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Process Improvement
- Student-Centered Service
Certification
- Curriculum: The Heart of The Teacher Leader Role, TLI (2026)
- School Finance for Non-Business Leaders, NBOA (2023)
- Equitable Educational Leaders Institute (2022)
- Employee Supervision & Management in Independent Schools, NBOA (2022)
- Teaching Racial Justice in P-12 Schools (2021)
- Becoming Antiracist (2020)
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Author, 'The Hiring Process: A Case Study from Worcester Academy,' Independent School Magazine (Spring 2024)
- NAIS Annual Conference Presenter, 'Impact Marketing: Leveraging Faculty' (2017)
- NEASC Accreditation Team Member, Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, MA (Spring 2023) and Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, CT (Fall 2015)
Timeline
Dean of Faculty
Tower Hill School
01.2024 - Current
Associate Head of School / Dean of Faculty
Worcester Academy
01.2019 - 01.2024
Dean of Academics
Cape Cod Academy
01.2017 - 01.2019
Upper School Head / History Department Chair
Rocky Hill School
01.2008 - 01.2017
History Department Chair / Associate Dean of Students
Westtown School
01.1995 - 01.2007
Master of Science - Secondary Education
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts - History and Education
Bucknell University