Spring 2017, Vol. 2
ISB’s Next Head of School: Joe Santos What made you want to become a Head of School? I grew up in Gibraltar, which is a small British Overseas Territory off the coast of Spain. I remember being in high school, 15 years old, and we had the opportunity to do a 2-week mini internship. I was able to choose one thing, and I chose teaching. I really enjoyed the experience, but I didn’t know then that I would definitely become a teacher. What I did know, even then, was that whatever field I went into, I wanted to do my best, and that if I did go into teaching, I wanted to become a Head. When I started my career teaching in 1988, I always thought that I would be a Head someday. Life, family, and other things made my career progression toward this goal take a backseat from time to time, but it was always something I kept working toward. I was not the kind of person who sought the limelight, but I have always been willing to step up when I was needed. When I was in university, my friends were part of forming a student union, and I went to a few meetings with them. When it came to doing the hard work of getting the organization off the ground and no one wanted to do it, I stepped up. I said, “This is a good idea, and we can’t just let it die just because no one wants to do the work.” I was always willing to step up and work to get things done.
How does your family feel about your becoming HOS? I have two children: Stella, 5, who is here at ISB, and Henry, 9, who is in 4th Grade at PS 9. Henry is looking forward to coming to ISB in Middle School; it will be fun to have