...read Lisa Martin's edifying interview with Tim in The Crozet Gazette. "Read more" will take you to the board of trustees introduction of Tim to the Free Union community.

Dear Free Union Country School Community,

After a thorough search process, the Board is delighted to introduce you all to Dr. Tim Baynum, our new Head of School beginning in July 2022!

Tim is a fierce proponent of progressive education and believes in building school communities and classroom environments that generate students’ development as learners, as well as their potential to be caring, compassionate individuals. He has spent the vast majority of his career as an educator and administrator, working with diverse communities from rural Appalachian public schools to a Northern Virginia independent school. Most recently, Tim comes to us after several years as an Assistant Principal in Riner, Virginia.

The Search Committee spent extensive time learning about Tim’s background and interest in our school, as well as listening to his ideas for fostering an inclusive, vibrant community, fundraising, and supporting teachers and staff. We loved watching him engage with students during an on campus interview where we learned he loves hiking and kayaking, Star Wars, and his pup, Juno. (Feel free to watch the full interview with 3 of our 5th grade graduates here! We’re still waiting for his final decision on school pets…)

As Tim said in his application for Head of School, “I am committed to leading a school where our community establishes, recognizes, respects, and preserves each other’s boundaries; a school where we practice mindfulness of reliability and being accountable for our actions. I am a leader who maintains confidentiality, fosters integrity, practices non-judgment, and assumes the best intent of others.” We are so excited to welcome Tim to our community this summer, and cannot wait to see him thrive and excel in this role.

Additionally, the Board is so sincerely grateful to all of the members of the Search Committee for their time, energy, and commitment to finding a great Head of School. Truly we would not have been able to do this process without your input. Thank you.

Please join us in welcoming Tim to our community. His first official day with us will be July 11, 2022, but please feel free to send him an email welcoming him to our community ahead of time: . Please also know that he’s also wrapping up the end of his school year and may be slow to respond, if at all, before July 11.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or comments, please feel free to reach out to Alison Lubin, Board member, and Chair of the Search Committee: .

Sincerely,

The Free Union Country School Board of Trustees