Blue Ridge School has announced three exciting internal promotions for the coming academic year. Headmaster Trip Darrin shared the news with faculty and staff saying, “I am inordinately proud of and grateful for the talent and dedication that Blue Ridge is fortunate to have in you, the faculty and staff that make up Team Baron, the people who make this school great.”
The promotions illustrate a change in the structure of the principle leadership of Blue Ridge School academics in a way that will strengthen curriculum development and enable a more personalized approach to faculty professional growth. These changes will go into effect on June 1, 2022.
Amber Wilkins will be promoted to dean of faculty. She was named assistant dean of faculty in 2021 and has served as the director of college counseling and director of social activities at Blue Ridge School since 2017. Ms. Wilkins will continue serving in the role of director of college counseling. Prior to joining Blue Ridge, she was interim director of admissions at Mary Baldwin University. She also worked in college counseling and residence life at Nansemond Suffolk Academy and Stuart Hall School. The Class of 2019 presented her with the Faculty Award, and in 2020 The Blue Ridge School Board of Trustees presented her with the Distinguished Service Award. Ms. Wilkins has a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Mary Baldwin University.
Jim Douglas will be promoted to dean of academics. He is chair of the math department and has been a math teacher at Blue Ridge since 2012. In 2021 he received the Golden Apple Teaching Award in part for his ability to challenge students while supporting and encouraging them along the way. Prior to teaching at BRS, he taught for five years at the Miller School of Albemarle. Mr. Douglas is a coach for the Squire basketball team and enjoys teaching the fundamentals of the game to new players. He is a proud graduate of Virginia Tech and is completing his master’s in mathematics this spring at James Madison University.
Alexander Keevil will be promoted to assistant dean of faculty and academics. Mr. Keevil is the co-director of the Fishburne Learning Center and has been a learning specialist at Blue Ridge School for three years. He is also a hall parent on Middle North and faculty leader in the drama program. Prior to joining BRS, he was dean of student life and a math teacher at The New Community School. Mr. Keevil will complete his Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University this spring.
Current Dean of Faculty and Academics Pete Bonds is taking a position at The Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania.
