Dear Members of the
Far Brook Community,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Amy Miles Ziebarth as our next Head of School. Amy was the unanimous choice of the Search Committee, its Advisory Committee, and the Board of Trustees. Amy begins her tenure as Head on July 1, 2010, bringing 25 years of experience as a gifted and highly respected leader in education to Far Brook. Her rich background as the Executive Director of New Jersey SEEDS, her demonstrated skill as a fundraiser, and her experience as an independent school teacher and administrator will serve our community well as she leads Far Brook into the future.

Most importantly, Amy embodies the sensibilities and qualities of leadership that align with Far Brook’s values and philosophy. She has excellent interpersonal skills, a collaborative spirit, and is passionate about education. She is an administrator who inspires confidence and loyalty among those who work with her. Her personal qualities combined with her extensive executive experience have prepared Amy to lead Far Brook with inspiration and excellence.

Amy is a graduate of Colgate University, with a B.A. in English and History, and she holds a Master of Letters degree in American Studies from Drew University. She began her career in 1985 at Kent Place School in Summit teaching American history and Russian studies in the middle school. She served for five years as the Kent Place Director of Admission and Financial Aid where she developed a broad understandng of the school’s operations and programs and worked closely with families.

In 1995, Amy joined New Jersey SEEDS, a non-profit organization in Newark which prepares gifted students from low income families for placement in independent schools. As SEEDS’ Executive Director, Amy has worked closely with leading independent schools throughout the country and has shaped the lives of over 1,500 students, ranging from the fourth grade into adulthood. Under Amy’s leadership, SEEDS tripled the number of students it serves and increased its endowment from $688,000 to over $8.5 million.

Amy has received widespread recognition for her work. The Delbarton School named Amy Educator of the Year in 2001. She received the Althea Gibson Foundation Award for Excellence in Public Service in 2003. SEEDS was awarded the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award in 2006 for its outstanding programs. SEEDS also received recognition from the Oprah Winfrey Angel Network with a grant of $100,000.

Amy has known Far Brook for many years through her work with SEEDS and Kent Place. Amy and her husband, Miguel Brito, Head of St. Philip’s Academy in Newark, had long admired Far Brook and decided it would be an excellent school for their own children. All three of their children now attend the school. Amy has been a dedicated parent volunteer, serving as a class parent, fundraiser, Trustee, and most recently as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Search Committee and the Advisory Committee for their dedication and hard work. We especially want to thank Barbara Pagos for her outstanding leadership over the course of the past year as Chair of the Search Committee.

Please join the Board in giving a warm welcome to Amy as she becomes our next Head of School in July.

Sincerely yours,

Carol Chartouni
Acting Chair, Far Brook Board of Trustees