Mr. Stansbery emerged from a robust and talented pool of candidates following a comprehensive search that spanned several months. After extensive interviews with the search committee, administrators at St. Christopher’s and St. Catherine’s, the Lower School faculty and staff, select fifth-grade boys, and a group of current Lower School parents, Mr. Stansbery clearly demonstrated that he has the passion, experience and heart to lead our faculty and advance our mission in service of our Lower School boys. 
 
Mr. Stansbery is currently the Head of School at The Tuxedo Park School in Tuxedo Park, New York. Over the last six years at Tuxedo Park, Mr. Stansbery created new programs and curriculum focused on STEAM and Wellness. He implemented an operational organic garden, enhanced outdoor education experiences, established character education programming, enhanced the Lucy Calkins Writer Workshop Program, introduced a 1:1 Chromebook program for 4-6th grades and a new math curriculum for PK-3rd grades. He also led several Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, including a curriculum review, and introduced a new Diversity and Inclusion statement.  
 
Prior to service at Tuxedo Park, Mr. Stansbery served for nine years as Head of School at The Swain School in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a coeducational PS – 8th Grade school. At Swain Mr. Stansbery added new global studies and community service programs, created a community speakers series, and developed a new strategic plan and mission and vision statements for the School. From 1999 until 2006, Mr. Stansbery served as the founding Head of Lower School at St. Andrew’s School, an Episcopal school in Boca Raton, Florida, where he hired all Lower School faculty and staff, led the development of new curriculum and pedagogy, and designed and developed a new Lower School facility.  
 
Mr. Stansbery began his career in education and served in several capacities at fellow Church School, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, including Associate Director of the Lower School. Mr. Stansbery brings a deep understanding of Episcopal school ethos and education, having served at two Episcopal schools—St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes. Throughout his career, even as a division head and head of school, Mr. Stansbery has focused on the needs of students and on teaching—teaching science to elementary students throughout his career. Mr. Stansbery received his BA from the College of Wooster and a Masters of Science from Johns Hopkins University. He and his wife, Nancy, have two grown children.
 
“I loved my visit to St. Christopher’s,” Mr. Stansbery said. “I witnessed joyful, confident, kind, and engaged boys in the hallways and the classrooms. I was impressed with the boys’ warmth and their sincere willingness to welcome me so easily to St. Christopher’s. There is clearly a culture of warmth that I felt from the entire St. Christopher’s School community during my visit. I look forward to working closely with the faculty to continue to love, nurture, and challenge the boys as they grow.”
 
As previously communicated, Mr. Stansbery will begin this summer as the Associate Head of the Lower School, partnering with and learning from Dr. Sarah Mansfield. He will assume full leadership as the Head of the Lower School at some point during the 2021-2022 school year. I am deeply grateful to the search committee, the entire Lower School faculty and staff, and the Lower School parent advisory committee for their dedication to this process. 
 
We look forward to introducing you to Todd and to welcoming both Todd and Nancy to Richmond and to St. Christopher’s. We are in the preliminary stages of planning a campus visit for Todd in mid-March, following spring break, and while COVID precautions may not allow for an event with parents at that time, we are committed to creating numerous opportunities for parents to interact with him as early and as often as possible.
 
Thank you for your continued support of St. Christopher’s.
 
Yours, 
 

Mason Lecky
Headmaster