Announcing the Next Head of School

Pingry Names Timothy P. Lear ’92 Next Head of School

The Board of Trustees has announced that Timothy P. Lear ’92, P ’25, ’27, ’30, a member of the Senior Administrative Team, teacher, and coach at Pingry since 2007, will be Pingry’s 17th Head of School, effective July 1, 2022.

He is only the fourth Pingry graduate to become Head of School

and succeeds Matt Levinson, who has served Pingry since 2019 and is becoming Head of School at San Francisco University High School.

An announcement from the Board of Trustees says of Mr. Lear, “[He] knows and loves Pingry. His long history with our school, starting with his days as a student over 30 years ago and in his current role as Assistant Head of School for Guidance and Student Life, demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Pingry. We are thrilled to have chosen an exceptional leader who is deeply aligned with Pingry’s core values and ready to move forward with the School’s strategic priorities in a way that unites the Pingry community around its mission to foster in students a lifelong commitment to intellectual exploration, individual growth, and social responsibility.”

A long-time New Jersey resident, Mr. Lear received both an A.B. in English from Princeton University and an M.A. in English from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English. After 10 years at Oak Knoll School as an English Teacher, academic advisor, and ultimately the Director of College Counseling, he returned to the Pingry family in 2007. For nearly 15 years, Mr. Lear has led Pingry’s College Counseling Department, taught English, served as academic advisor, coached Varsity Cross Country, assumed leadership of Student Support Services, and in July 2021, was named Assistant Head of School for Guidance and Student Life.

His wife Eleanor Lear is a lifelong English Teacher who taught at Kent Place School, Summit High School, Hood River Valley High School in Oregon, and the Fundación Neotrópica in Costa Rica before coming to Pingry in 2015 to teach Middle and Upper School English. The Lears have three children, all of whom attend Pingry: Hyla ’25, James ’27, and Tighe ’30.

Read Mr. Lear’s message to the community:

It is truly the honor of a lifetime to have been chosen to serve as Pingry’s next Head of School. The depth of my gratitude for this opportunity is matched only by my excitement regarding the work that lies ahead and all that we will accomplish—together. Pingry is a special place because of the people, because of the relationships and the mentorships that we get to build with students and with one another. As a student, I experienced the many ways that Pingry encourages us to foster these bonds. And the inspiration and guidance that I received from teachers and coaches changed the way I see myself and the world and confirmed for me the crucial role that educators play in society. I came home to Pingry nearly 15 years ago because I felt cared for during my days as a student. I believed that people were invested in my success and my well-being. Today’s Pingry is no different, and it will be a privilege to lead a school committed to supporting our students as they build relationships, grow in confidence, and realize their potential to meaningfully impact the world. As our next Head of School, I will be honored to continue telling Pingry’s unique and evolving story; to build on its promise to emphasize character and inspire joy; to continue prioritizing and ensuring student and adult happiness and health; to hold in esteem Pingry’s Honor Code and mission; and to further define what success and community mean at Pingry. I am energized by the School’s commitment to diversity,

‘‘ equity, inclusion, and belonging, and by the fact that everyone at Pingry plays a vital role in this vision and work. I believe that actively listening to others and inviting them to share their stories is a powerful way of building trust and community. I am eager to learn from your stories and partner with you to define our future. I extend my sincere thanks to the Head of School Search Committee for their tireless efforts and their unfailing dedication to Pingry, and for now entrusting me with the responsibility of leading this exceptional school. I also owe my family an equal measure of gratitude for their unwavering support and their willingness to embark on this important and life-changing journey. The Pingry School is also a family; a place where everybody wants everybody else to succeed. And that feeling of belonging is evident not just in our classrooms, but in our hallways and in our offices, during games, on stages, alumni events, and afterschool activities. Community is what unites us, and brings us back. I cannot wait for you to join me as we write Pingry’s next chapter together.

It will be a privilege to lead a school committed to supporting our students as they build relationships, grow in confidence, and realize their potential to meaningfully impact the world.