J. Thomas (Tom) Woelper

BACKGROUND

Tom has had a distinguished 31-year career in independent education, most recently serving as the Head of School of Far Hills Country Day School in Far Hills, New Jersey. Prior to his tenure at Far Hills, Tom served as the Assistant Head of School and Dean of Academic Life and taught history during his 14 years at The Hotchkiss School. Tom began his career in independent school education as a teaching intern at Groton School and then as a history teacher and Class Dean at The Taft School. Following a sabbatical year from Taft, Tom served as the Head of the Ake Panya International School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Mr. Woelper also has served on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, where he co-chaired the Accreditation Committee.

EDUCATION

B.A. in History from Princeton University; M.A. in History from the University of Connecticut; M.A. graduate of the Klingenstein Center, Teachers College, Columbia University in Private School Leadership

WHAT HE’D SAY TO HIS 15-YEAR-OLD SELF

Times of struggle were the most powerful learning moments for me. If I could have given my former self advice, I’d say, “Productive struggle is something to embrace, not shy away from.”