Hackley Names Michael Wirtz as New Headmaster
New Headmaster Michael Wirtz. Photo courtesy of Michael Wirtz.
After a several month selection process, Hackley’s board of trustees has announced that Michael C. Wirtz will be Hackley’s 12th Headmaster, beginning on July 1, 2016.
Mr. Wirtz is currently the Assistant Head of School/Dean of Faculty at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA. St. Mark’s is a 9-12 day and boarding school. He also served as Acting Head of School for St. Mark’s in the first half of the 2013-2014 academic year. Prior to becoming an administrator, he taught Chemistry.
Hackley’s core values–its deep commitment to the education of the whole student and its emphasis on character–align with my beliefs as both an educator and parent.
— Michael Wirtz
At St. Mark’s, Mr. Wirtz “works closely with faculty at every point in their relationship with St. Mark’s–from recruiting and hiring on through orientation, mentoring, professional development, feedback, evaluations and communications,” according to an email by John Canoni, President of the Board of Trustees. Recently, at St. Mark’s, Mr. Wirtz helped the school build its STEM program, and led the effort to design a new STEM building and restructure the curriculum.
Hackley’s Board of Trustees chose Mr. Wirtz as the new headmaster for many reasons, chief among them his connection to Hackley’s core spirit of community and character.
“In our first meeting with Mike, we were struck by how smart he is, how laser sharp and focused his thinking is. What came across the more we got to know him was how much he cares about people, how deeply interested he is in learning about and connecting with others,” said Math Department Head Diana Kaplan, who served on the Headmaster Search Committee.
“We are very fortunate to have found an intellectually curious, genuine leader with a keen, analytical mind and open heart who passionately embraces the values and culture members of the Hackley community hold so dear, who will lead Hackley into the next decade and beyond,” said Trustee Ted Mathas, co-chair of the Headmaster Search Committee.
Mr. Wirtz could not be reached for comment for this article, but, when accepting Hackley’s offer, he said, “I am humbled and excited to join Hackley as the next Headmaster. [Headmaster] Walter [Johnson] leaves a great legacy and I look forward to partnering with faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and trustees to write Hackley’s next chapter. Hackley’s core values–its deep commitment to the education of the whole student and its emphasis on character–align with my beliefs as both an educator and parent.”
In his email, Mr. Canoni expressed his excitement for Hackley’s future with Mr. Wirtz as Headmaster. “This is indeed a very exciting time for Hackley: to build upon our strengths, to preserve our unique culture, and to go forth with unreserved effort and embrace a future that truly can be even greater than our illustrious past,” he said.
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