Montclair Kimberley Academy is thrilled to welcome Paris McLean as the next Assistant Head of School for Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism. He will officially join MKA on July 1, 2022.

A Search Committee, co-chaired by Karen Newman, Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Professional Development, and Ben Goodrich, Director of Educational Technology and Associate Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, conducted a robust and inclusive process, deftly incorporating comprehensive feedback from students, faculty, staff, parents, administrators, and Trustees. The group was honored by the interest of the diverse, experienced candidates and by the opportunity to hear their positive perceptions of and reflections on their visits to MKA. Head of School Nigel D. Furlonge shared that “Out of all the qualified candidates, Paris McLean’s experience, skill set, infectious persona, and capacity as a collaborator set him apart.”  

Born in Bordentown, NJ, and currently a resident of Trenton, NJ, Mr. McLean has been an independent school educator and leader for 18 years. He has served as a 2nd Grade Lead Teacher, curriculum coordinator, multicultural diversity team chair, head varsity basketball coach, Lower School Head, and Middle School Head at two different independent day schools. He is currently the Assistant Head of School a Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart (NJ) and is a graduate of LaSalle University (B.A.; Elementary and Special Education), The Klingenstein Center, Teachers College Columbia University (Ed.M.; Private School Leadership), and most recently, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Aspiring Heads Institute.

Mr. McLean has presented at state, national, and international conferences focusing on social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within school structures. A founding member of 120 Educational Consultancy, a collaborative of educators who seek to develop, enhance, and maintain systems within schools, Mr. McLean is also a faculty member within the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) summer Leadership Institute (LI), where his educational focus is on themes of pluralism within school communities. 

As MKA’s Assistant Head of School for Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism, Mr. McLean will work to cultivate a diverse and cosmopolitan community where everyone feels at home and where students become prepared to engage with our dynamic, 21st-century world. He describes himself “as a mission-driven school leader, [who seeks] to develop communities where every voice, individual, and constituency are seen, heard, known, and valued for who they are and their inherent worth. My leadership efforts are practical and grounded, defining reasonable and achievable goals and expectations for those I partner with, as well as for myself.”

Mr. McLean is an educator who has dedicated himself to empathetic, inclusive, and positive leadership that is based upon cultivating relationships with students, families, and colleagues. The entire MKA community looks forward to working with him and benefitting from his extensive experience.