Head of School Search

Dear WT Community,

We hope you are enjoying your summer! As we prepare for the new school year to begin next month, we are also preparing for an important transition with Scott’s departure as Head of School at the end of 2026. Scott leaves a powerful legacy. Under his guidance, Winchester Thurston has earned national recognition for our innovative approach to teaching and learning and enjoys thriving enrollment across all Divisions. We are deeply grateful for Scott’s exceptional leadership and wish him much success in his next chapter. As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude and optimism, ready to identify a leader who will build on our momentum while continuing to advance the mission and values that have guided Winchester Thurston for 140 years.

To this end, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Amanda Welsh, Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning, has agreed to serve as Interim Head of School, effective January 2027. Amanda is a respected educator and experienced administrator who has been a dedicated member of our community for over 25 years, serving in numerous leadership roles, including the dean of faculty and Middle School division director. She is a parent of three WT alums, Caleb Greenwald (’21), Remmie Greenwald (’23), and Harlow Greenwald (’26). Amanda will work closely with Scott and our Head’s Council over the next few months to ensure a seamless transition for our students, staff, educators, and families.

The Board of Trustees has started assembling a search committee to guide the process of finding our next Head of School. The committee will be chaired by Trustee and Alum Jennifer Gonzalez McComb (’89). Jennifer will share additional details about how that process will unfold over the coming months. Rest assured, we will engage the entire WT community with opportunities for faculty, staff, parents, guardians, and alumni to offer valuable input and feedback.

Our inspiring students and talented faculty and staff remain at the heart of what happens each day on campus. The transformation that began just three years ago with the opening of the Joan Clark Davis Center for Interdisciplinary Learning and continues with the recent purchase of the WesBanco building on Centre Avenue provides the flexibility to grow and evolve. These investments, along with a significant increase to the school's endowment, reflect our commitment to reimagining learning and strengthening our community. They have been made possible through your boundless generosity to our campaign. Together, we have secured a bright future for Winchester Thurston, and we are confident the school is well positioned to build on its incredible history for generations to come. 

Thank you for your continued support of Winchester Thurston. The Board is committed to identifying an outstanding next Head of School, and we look forward to keeping you informed throughout the search.

Kind regards,
Jessica Bemer, President
Board of Trustees

Dear WT Community, 

It is with mixed emotions that I write to let you know I will be departing Winchester Thurston School at the end of December to begin a new opportunity that will take me back home to the Chicago area. Leading WT for the past eight years has been an honor and one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career, but supporting my family as we care for our aging parents has led me to make this difficult decision. 

I am enormously proud of the work we have accomplished since I arrived in 2018. With a wonderful and supportive Board of Trustees, an amazing and dedicated faculty, staff, and administrative team, and our committed community, we have partnered together to create a school environment that has helped our students thrive in our ever-changing world. From reimagining learning and rethinking time and space to strengthening our community and supporting our employees, WT has led the way in Pittsburgh and beyond. I am so grateful to all of you for your trust and belief in the work we have accomplished, including the opening of the Joan Clark Davis Center for Interdisciplinary Learning, the renovations to Molloy Posner Hall, the acquisition of additional properties for future growth, overcoming the challenges of the COVID pandemic, and so much more. It has not always been easy. We have faced challenges head-on and have come out stronger together. WT is well-positioned for the next leader to build on the foundation we have laid, just as Heads of School have done since Miss Thurston and Miss Mitchell passed the torch to the next generations.

On a personal note, I am so grateful to the entire WT community for embracing my family and me since we arrived. WT has become more than just a place where I work. My husband, Rick, has been a terrific partner in supporting our mission, serving as our gala chair several times and being an active member of the Campaign Committee. Beckett’s experiences with our amazing faculty have prepared him well for his next educational journey. As we leave WT and Pittsburgh, we will take only fond memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. 

In my final months at WT, I will continue to serve this community with the same dedication and commitment that have guided my work over the past eight years. I look forward to supporting the school during the interim period and assisting with a thoughtful transition to the next Head of School.

I know the future is bright for our Dear Old WT. 

Warmly,
Scott D. Fech
Head of School