August 14, 2018
Dear SRI Community,
It is with deep gratitude tinged by sadness that the Board of Directors announces the planned departure of Kari Thierer as Executive Director. Since 2012, Kari has played a critical role in SRI’s development and success. We thank her for six wonderful years of dedicated service, including the following significant accomplishments:
- more than doubling our affiliate base from 400 to 1000+ educators from dozens of states and around the world;
- navigating SRI through a 2-year lawsuit over critical friendship terminology then using that challenge to help SRI become a truly mission-driven organization with equity now firmly at the center of our national offerings;
- steadily increasing national contracts and fee-for-services in order to more firmly secure our financial sustainability; and
- establishing a vibrant research initiative to nourish the organization’s knowledge and expertise.
Kari has determined that rather than running the organization, her deepest passion lies in carrying out SRI’s mission by directly supporting educators in schools. Click here to hear from Kari herself.
Later this month, the Board will launch its search to find our next Executive Director. Kari has graciously agreed to remain in her current role during the search, and to support the transition once a new ED is hired. The Board remains steadfastly committed to finding the best individual to lead SRI into its next organizational phase. Kari shepherded SRI from its infancy, helping us establish ourselves as a viable organization. New leadership will enable SRI to continue to evolve and change.
We will share the job announcement shortly and ask for your help in identifying outstanding candidates who can help SRI continue along our successful trajectory. In addition, look for future communications that outline ways that the Board will solicit your participation and feedback during the search process.
Again, we cannot thank Kari enough for her dedication, passion and wisdom. Her contributions built significant coherence and capacity within SRI over the past six years. Once Kari steps down from her role as Executive Director, she will remain a vibrant member of the SRI community, working to create transformational learning communities fiercely committed to educational equity and excellence.
If you have any questions or concerns during this transition process, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at pnorman@schoolreforminitiative.org.
Sincerely,
Pat Norman, Chair
on behalf of SRI Board of Directors
