Dear NSFS Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to share with you that the board voted unanimously to hire Erin Brust as the next NSFS head of school (HOS), for an initial term of three years. We are excited that we found a leader who is not only a great fit for our school but also able to lead NSFS into our next chapter.
Erin is currently the Assistant Head of School and Director of Institutional Advancement at the French Immersion School of Washington (FISW), located in Bellevue, WA. She has worked at FISW for 10 years serving many roles, including admissions, advancement, marketing and communications. She supported FISW through two Head of School transitions and oversaw the first FISW capital campaign and two priority FISW initiatives: integration and retention of English faculty and robust advancement of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work. Erin is a French-speaking American who is passionate about the rich diversity of Francophone cultures.
In the HOS survey completed after Erin’s visit to our school, NSFS faculty, staff and parents provided enthusiastic feedback on her credentials and “fit” with our community, noting especially that Erin is bilingual, experienced in running a similar French/American bilingual school, and clearly embraces the NSFS mission and values. We are thrilled to welcome Erin into the NSFS community.
We would like to share a few words from Erin about joining NSFS:
” I am honored to have the opportunity to join North Seattle French School at this exciting moment in the school’s journey with your recent French accreditation, Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) candidacy, and full-time preschool on the horizon. You are entrusting me with something very precious, and it is with deep gratitude and enthusiasm that I look forward to serving as your next Head of School.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone – students, teachers, staff, parents, board members and the Search Committee – for welcoming me so warmly into your school community. I value your openness and your time. Your love for your special, francophone school community is infectious. There was an atmosphere of collaboration and care that was evident in every corner of the school.
It was clear in each conversation how much Jennifer has brought to NSFS during her time as Head of School, and how appreciated she is by the school community. I am so fortunate to build on her inspiring work, and I look forward to collaborating with her on a smooth and meaningful transition. I can’t wait to get started!”
We had planned originally for our next HOS to start on July 1, 2025. However, Erin’s family has a wonderful opportunity to spend six months in France due to her husband’s sabbatical that is awarded every 10 years. As such, Erin will start as NSFS HOS on January 1, 2026. We are grateful to Jennifer Annable for agreeing to extend her time at NSFS through December 31, 2025 and to serve as a part-time consultant beyond her last day at NSFS, to facilitate a seamless transition.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend my deep gratitude to all members of the NSFS community for your commitment to this search process and your thoughtful feedback. I am especially grateful to my fellow members of the search committee for their service during this comprehensive search process. We are also thankful for the guidance and support of our search consultant, Joan Beauregard, of Educators’ Collaborative.
As we look ahead to the next chapter for NSFS, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for Jennifer Annable and her remarkable contributions to NSFS, working in collaboration with her team, including:
- Strengthening hiring and integration of NSFS French and English teachers
- Obtaining French Ministry of Education accreditation and NWAIS accreditation candidate status
- Establishing a support program serving students of all learning styles
- Submitting formal application for a full day preschool
- Enriching NSFS programs for music, art and physical education
Above all else, Jennifer’s unfailing enthusiasm, positive attitude and humanity have created a true NSFS family that is the cornerstone of our identity. We look forward to celebrating Jennifer’s legacy at the NSFS gala on March 8, 2025 and throughout her tenure at NSFS.
In closing, with the prospect of new and exciting leadership and the continuing dedication of our wonderful teachers, staff, and families, we look forward to a bright future for North Seattle French School.
Sincerely,
Jen Thiebaud
Chair, Board of Trustees & Search Committee
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