27th Spring Benefit Honoree

JOHN R. CISSEL HARBOR’S 11TH HEAD OF SCHOOL Mr. Cissel believes in the goodness of children and in the relationship between faculty and students to empower children as they develop the habits of mind that create lifelong learners, poised for a fulfilling and productive life. He sets the tone for every school morning with his signature handshakes and personalized greetings for each student, and he leads by example, walking the halls and interacting with faculty, staff and students with warmth, humility and an open heart. John has worked in independent schools his entire career. Always a teacher at his core, he has taught, coached and led as an administrator and head of school in Connecticut and upstate New York before coming to Harbor in 2011. Under his leadership, the financial position of the school has been significantly strengthened with a strong annual fund program and a capital campaign for faculty, tuition assistance and general endowment. Plans for campus expansion that will include a state-of-the-art STEAM center, art and technology facilities, two science labs, new math and history classrooms, and a dining room will be completed during his tenure, with the hope that construction can begin before his departure at the end of June. In addition to these incredible achievements, John’s legacy of kindness and openness will leave a deep imprint on the culture of Harbor. His support and advocacy for his faculty, his calm reassurance for parents, and his belief that children should feel protected and nurtured while they learn and grow are just some of the reasons why Mr. Cissel is so beloved by all. As head of school, John has been a great champion for his faculty, seeing them as the heart and soul of the school. His greatest wish is to see the fulfillment of the school’s endowment so that Harbor can continue to attract and retain the best and brightest talent for generations of students to come. Harbor has been exceptionally fortunate to have had John’s leadership for he embodies fully the school’s mission to cherish childhood, cultivate wonder, and to inspire confident learners and leaders. In his honor, the fund-a-grant this year will be the Faculty Endowment.