The Ratner School Announces Appointment of Larry Goodman as Interim Head of School

PEPPER PIKE, Ohio, Aug. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Ratner School, a co-educational independent day school for children in grades 1-8 and Montessori program for children from 20 months to kindergarten, announced on Monday that Dr. Larry Goodman, formerly the Director of Strategic Programming at Laurel School, will lead the school as its Interim Head of School for the 2011-2012 academic year.  

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The decision to offer the position to Dr. Goodman was made following a national search.  Barbara Miller, Board Chair of The Ratner School, said, "We had the great fortune to attract a number of highly qualified applicants from across the country.  In addition to his impressive track record as an academic leader, Dr. Goodman's stellar reputation among the region's educational community and deep connection to Northeast Ohio made him the first choice of the search committee."  

Goodman has lived in Cleveland for more than 12 years with his wife, Anne Goodman, who serves as President and CEO of The Cleveland Foodbank.  The Goodmans have two school-aged children.  

Ann Klotz, Head of Laurel School, said, "Larry is a superb strategic thinker, an excellent teacher, and a man of vision.  It pleases me that Ratner recognized these leadership qualities.  His departure is Laurel's loss and Ratner's gain.  I am happy he will continue to be a valued colleague and neighbor.  We are lucky to keep his talents in Cleveland."

Dawn Driggs and Dianna Rocci represented the teachers during the search process.  "Dr. Goodman's  experience using technology to support differentiated instruction will really build on the School's core competency in individualized learning," said Rocci.

Goodman was most recently Director of Strategic Programming at Laurel School, where he oversaw the implementation of the School's Strategic Plan and implemented new curricular initiatives.  Dr. Goodman was also the Co-Director of the Center for Research on Girls (CRG).  He is a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the newly established Online School for Girls.  He is currently on the board of the MetroHealth Foundation and the Cleveland chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.   Goodman received his Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago.

The Ratner School's search for an Interim Head of School began in late June following the resignation of Sam Chestnut, who had led the school since 2008.  Chestnut will lead The Lippman School in Akron, Ohio, where he and his family reside. Chestnut's tenure at The Ratner School followed the retirement of long time Director, Barbara Rudolph, who led the school for 20 years.

About The Lillian and Betty Ratner School
The Lillian and Betty Ratner School through its Montessori and rigorous academic Day School programs, provides children with a strong sense of self and the resources they need to achieve in the classroom and in life.  In an environment enriched by universal Judaic values, Montessori influence, and a mosaic of diverse cultures, each child thrives.  The Montessori Program offers toddlers through kindergarten-age students nurturing classrooms, highly trained teachers and a firm academic foundation.  The Day School features grade-blended classrooms, an individualized curriculum, Spanish, Judaic studies, lab-based science, as well as an integrated arts program.  

For more information, visit:  www.theratnerschool.org.

Contact:
Dr. Larry Goodman, Interim Head of School
Direct Line:  216.464.0033 ext. 1122
E-mail:  [email protected]

SOURCE The Lillian and Betty Ratner School