Head of School Search

FSMH ANNOUNCES NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL – December 3, 2024

Dear Friends School Mullica Hill Community,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Head Search committee, we are excited to share with you the wonderful news that Erica Salmon will serve as our next Head of School.

After a thorough and spirit-led search in the manner of Friends, the Search Committee’s diligent review of applicants narrowed to three well-qualified final candidates. We are incredibly grateful for the committee’s hard work and the entire FSMH community’s participation during this process. We are very happy to share that support for Teacher Erica was widespread across our community.

A long-time resident of Mullica Hill and a FSMH alumni parent, T. Erica currently serves as the Director of Enrollment Management at Moorestown Friends School, an independent Quaker preK through 12 school. In her more than 25-year career, Erica served in three individual Quaker school communities: Friends School Mullica Hill, Wilmington Friends, and Moorestown Friends. She held multiple positions at FSMH, including Assistant Head of School. Erica believes wholeheartedly in the power of Quaker education.

Erica earned her B.S. from Cornell University in Communication, and later returned to Cornell to earn a digital marketing certificate. Over the past 15 years, Erica participated in the NJAIS Leadership Institute and served on several NJAIS accreditation and re-accreditation teams. She contributed as a member of the visiting accreditation team for Penn Charter.

We look forward to a smooth transition in the spring as T. Erica will work with T. Matt in preparation to step into the role beginning on July 1, 2025. She rejoins our community with great enthusiasm and energy. We have full faith that T. Erica brings not only love of our school but she has a deep appreciation for Quaker education. We are confident T. Erica will be a passionate and supportive leader as we look toward the future of FSMH.

Please join us as we warmly welcome back Teacher Erica to Friends School of Mullica Hill in July 2025.

Bio

Erica Salmon is an accomplished independent school leader and a passionate advocate for Quaker education. Currently serving as the Director of Enrollment Management at Moorestown Friends School, Teacher Erica will rejoin the FSMH community in July 2025.

Erica is dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse and mission-driven student body. With a robust background in teaching and administrative roles, T. Erica has successfully led initiatives that emphasize community engagement by building authentic relationships, establishing proactive communication efforts, and bringing a signature level of high energy to everything she does. During her 25+ year career, T. Erica has been a part of three individual Quaker school communities: Friends School Mullica Hill, Wilmington Friends, and Moorestown Friends. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of Quaker education.

From 2011-2020, T. Erica worked at FSMH, serving in various capacities, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to Quaker education. As the Assistant Head of School for Enrollment and Communication, she played a crucial role in supporting both administrative efforts and the faculty/staff while welcoming new families. In her role as Middle School Lead Teacher, T. Erica worked collaboratively with faculty to implement school-wide initiatives and fostered a proactive partnership with parents. T. Erica is also the proud parent of three former FSMH students: Luke, Piper, and Holly.

Erica’s dedication to professional development is evident throughout her vocational journey. Having graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Communication in the 1990s, T. Erica later returned to Cornell to earn a digital marketing certificate. Over the past 15 years, T. Erica has participated in the NJAIS Leadership Institute and has served on several NJAIS accreditation and re-accreditation teams. She contributed as a member of the visiting accreditation team for Penn Charter.

Erica’s passion for education is reflected not only in her teaching but also in her commitment to creating a supportive and enriching learning environment for all students. She returns to FSMH with the experience, passion, and knowledge to guide the next chapter of FSMH’s important story.

The Search is closed. Thank you for your interest.

INTRODUCTION

Friends School Mullica Hill (FSMH) is a vibrant learning community, serving 175 students on a 26-acre campus in Mullica Hill, NJ. Since its founding in 1969, the school has been a nurturing and caring institution focused on the development of elementary and middle school students in a setting that meets their needs – academic, artistic, athletic, and spiritual. FSMH embraces diversity in belief, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background and remains dedicated to its mission: To empower students to achieve their full potential and become responsible global citizens by providing a comprehensive academic program infused with Quaker values in a diverse and inclusive learning community.

FSMH Class of 2024

FSMH is the only Quaker school in Gloucester County, NJ, and is governed by a self-appointing Board of Trustees, many of whom are members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Graduates of the school attend a variety of private, parochial, and public high schools in the tri-state area.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM & PHILOSOPHY

Friends School holds strongly to the Quaker belief that there is that of God in each person. Students are encouraged to consider and honor others through the development of healthy, respectful social relationships, the practice of peaceful conflict resolution, and the challenges of intellectually stimulating programs that provoke curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning. Teachers present up-to-date issues through integrated, cross-curricular lessons that challenge students with a rigorous curriculum while meeting the needs of a variety of learners. Through these curricula, students develop the problem- solving and critical-thinking skills that enable them to contribute to and share the satisfaction of the group’s academic progress. Quaker values are at the foundation of our programs; all members of the Friends School family learn about honoring diversity, valuing individual and group achievement, and contributing their strengths to the needs of the community and the world.

Students chalk Salem playscape in celebration of Earth Day

MULLICA HILL, NJ

Set deep in New Jersey’s scenic southern farmlands, Mullica Hill, settled in the late 17th century and built mostly during the Civil War era, has the best of the past and present. With the entire town on the National Register of Historic Places, its authentic historical background makes it an especially interesting spot for antiquers. Harrison Township was recognized by South Jersey Magazine in 2024 as the top community in Gloucester County and the 3rd top community in the South Jersey Region.

Source: Tourism Website of New Jersey

FUTURE LEADERSHIP

The FSMH Head Search Committee is conducting a national search to identify a new Head of School. Insights were gathered from community stakeholders and the following summary is based on this input combined with input from the Search Committee. This summary highlights Friends School’s strengths, the challenges it faces in the next three to five years, and the qualities and traits the trustees and the school seek in the next Head of School.

Strengths: Friends School Mullica Hill stands out in the independent school community of South Jersey. As the only Friends school in Gloucester County, FSMH is clear in its identity, proud of its history and unequivocally committed to its mission as a Quaker, forward-thinking school.

Philosophy/mission: clear commitment to a Quaker education with an emphasis on social justice, conflict resolution, and environmental education
Faculty: educators in every subject area who are committed to the craft of teaching and the well-being of their students
Community: a strong culture of learning that values the individual within the context of a strong, vibrant community
Families: strong family commitment to the school and its values
Social justice: commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Institutional stability: 10-year NJAIS re-accreditation is being completed again in 2024 and Friends Council on Education membership renewal completed in 2017

Challenges and Opportunities: The school has been led for the past 7 years by a Head of School who has provided a very thoughtful approach to leadership. As he moves into the next chapter in his professional and personal life, FSMH seeks a Head to provide stable, thoughtful, and patient leadership that values collaborative, transparent decision-making; embraces the school’s Quaker identity; values and strives for equity, inclusion and diversity; and honors and champions the school’s many accomplishments.

The following challenges and opportunities have been identified as the most significant for the school and its Head in the next 3-5 years:

Sustaining efforts to attract, hire and retain a diverse faculty and staff
Enhancing demand for enrollment and examining access to and affordability of an FSMH education
Educating the school community about the value of raising funds beyond tuition: fundraising stabilizes tuition costs and increases access; supporting the Development Committee in its efforts to secure additional funding partnerships in the community
Working with the Board of Trustees to forge a facilities plan that enhances current campus features
Exploring and clarifying the school’s capacity to accommodate students’ learning needs
Providing leadership to the school community as it continues to work collectively toward racial equity and social justice
Strengthening the school’s identity and presence in the larger community

Qualities: Friends School Mullica Hill seeks a leader who will embrace the mission of the school and possess most of the following:

Commitment to the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, and equality
Willingness to learn and use Quaker collaborative decision-making process
Instructional leadership experience in a K-8 setting, including teaching experience
Collaborative and inclusive leadership style
Demonstrated experience promoting equity and inclusion
Demonstrated connection with communities of color
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills
Sense of perspective and humor
Experience sustaining and growing a healthy financial position for a mission-driven organization with a comparable budget
Demonstrated success in resource development, including fostering a culture of giving

SEARCH PROCESS

Candidates interested in this position are asked to submit the following materials by
September 1, 2024:

A cover letter addressed to the Search Committee
Resume
Statement of educational philosophy
A list of five or more references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses)
Up to three letters of reference may be submitted
Application materials are to be sent via email, as a single WORD or PDF document to:

Cori McMahon, Psy.D., Search Committee Clerk, searchcommittee@friendsmh.org

All inquiries will be treated confidentially and a review of candidate files will begin immediately.

Friends School Mullica Hill believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.