Mackintosh Academy is pleased to announce that JJ Morrow will be joining Mackintosh Academy Boulder’s Pamela Andreas Campus as Head of School beginning this summer (July, 2014). For nearly 20 years, JJ has worked at nationally renowned independent schools as an administrator, teacher, and coach.
Since 2009, Mr. Morrow has been the Lower School Director at The Roeper School, a progressive school for gifted learners, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. His experience and passion will advance the mission of Mackintosh Academy and continue Mackintosh’s leadership in serving the needs of the Boulder metro area’s gifted and creative students.
JJ says, “I’m proud to join this vibrant community that has such a clear mission of celebrating individual children and cherishing gifted minds, as well as having a commitment to inquiry, technology, social-emotional learning, and global education that are hallmarks of 21st century learning. When looking for the right fit for my career and family, I was seeking a school where children clearly come first. There is an infectious enthusiasm everywhere you turn at Mackintosh’s stunning campus. Teachers are deeply focused on creating a safe, fun, and stimulating environment in which children can reach their full potential.”
Kristi Holmes Espiñeira, Mackintosh Board Chair, remarks, “The board, teachers, parents and students participated actively and enthusiastically in the selection process, and we are thrilled to welcome JJ to campus. While JJ brings clear credentials in gifted education, it is his drive to build an innovative school that prepares gifted and creative students for their brightest future that has us so excited. JJ’s passion for supporting leaders, innovators, makers, creators and all different kinds of minds aligns deeply with our mission. His tenure promises to push Mackintosh’s offerings to a whole new level. We’re excited to launch into our bright future with JJ at the helm!”
JJ holds an Ed.M. and M.S.Ed. from the prestigious Bank Street College of Education, where he studied progressive curriculum & pedagogy and educational leadership. He earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame. In addition to his years as Lower School Director at The Roeper School, JJ was also the Assistant Head of Lower School and a fifth grade teacher at Oregon Episcopal School. Prior to that he was an art teacher and founder of the Communication and Technology Center at Greenwich Country Day School, Greenwich Connecticut. JJ is also a graduate of the NAIS Fellowship for Aspiring Heads Program.
JJ will be joined at Mackintosh by his wife, Darsa, and their three sons. The boys are excited to be attending Mackintosh Academy.
Mackintosh Academy is an independent school that offers prep for the future for gifted and creative learners, grades K-8 in Boulder, CO and preK-8 in Littleton, CO. The combination of International Baccalaureate curriculum, social-emotional learning, and a full-time focus on gifted students makes our program unique to the core. Our goal is to nurture our students by recognizing their strengths and gifts, supporting them through challenges and helping them reach their full potential as leaders, creators, experts and innovators. We are the only gifted elementary school in Colorado certified as an IB World School offering both Primary and Middle Years programs and the only full-time gifted program in Boulder.