Head of School - Liz Gembecki

Elisabeth (Liz) Gembecki, Head of School, has been in education for over twenty-five years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph’s College in New York and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Queens College of the City of New York. She holds a level-five Specialist certificate in Education Administration and Leadership from the University of Georgia. She also served as a trustee on two school boards on Long Island, NY.

Before coming to High Meadows in 2001 as the Primary Program Coordinator (kindergarten through third grade), Ms. Gembecki was a Teacher of primary grades at Benefield Elementary School in Gwinnett County, GA. While in Gwinnett County, Ms. Gembecki was involved in the Teachers for Leaders Program and was a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council. She also was selected as one of the top three elementary teachers in Gwinnett County. Ms. Gembecki also taught at public schools on Long Island and in New York City, as well as in Houston, Texas.

Ms. Gembecki brings to this position extensive experience in progressive education as a teacher, administrator, mentor and curriculum coordinator. Committed to giving children an excellent academic education within a nurturing environment, she has researched, initiated and organized numerous training programs for teachers and principals. For two years she also served as Vice President of the Executive Board of S.H.A.R.E., the parent-teacher organization at High Meadows.

“Having been selected as “Teacher of the Year” previously, I thought I knew everything about teaching. I have since had the privilege of supervising so many outstanding faculty members who bring creativity and an insight to their students and the classroom. I now set a new standard for teaching excellence. My many years of employment and volunteer service in all types of schools in three different states and Canada, serving on two school boards, representing my previous school on the superintendent’s advisory board and participating in the SACs accreditation panel, has made me more aware of the many issues of my three key stakeholders: the children, the parents and the faculty. My educational journey has prepared me for the administrative duties in which I am now engaged. I am also extremely committed to following the philosophy and values that this school was founded on, as well as the tenets of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.”

Liz and her husband, Richie, have five children and five young grandchildren. One of her grandchildren attends High Meadows School.