Dr. Linda Kern (left) and Jason Levine (right) serve as NDB’s new Interim Head of School and Interim Academic Dean, respectively.
Q&A with the Interim Head of School and Interim Academic Dean
March 11, 2021
NDB has gone through a lot of changes since the beginning of the spring semester, including the appointment of Dr. Linda Kern from Associate Head of School for Curriculum and Instruction to Interim Head of School as well as the appointment of Jason Levine from Director of Athletics to Interim Academic Dean. The Catalyst sat down with Kern and Levine and asked them about their transitions into their new roles.
Dr. Linda Kern, Interim Head of School
The Catalyst (TC): What are the biggest differences between your previous role and your current role?
Dr. Linda Kern (LK): Obviously I’ve always been working with the faculty closely, but now I’m working with the faculty at a different level, and listening to all of their needs at a higher level.
But I’m also new to working more closely with parents, in terms of their general connection with the school as a whole, instead of just in terms of their role as parent of a student who’s in classes [at NDB].
And, I’ve also had the pleasure of working with the Board, which has been great. I’m working with the same groups but in different ways.
TC: Has the transition been overwhelming or fun?
LK: In some ways, it’s been kind of thrilling – like a roller coaster ride where new challenges emerge, but the strength and structure of our NDB teamwork ensures a smooth experience. [We’ve done a lot] so quickly and it’s only because the teams work really well together.
Jason Levine, Interim Academic Dean
The Catalyst (TC): What are the biggest differences between your previous role and your current role?
Dean Jason Levine (JL): The biggest difference for me is that I get to work with the faculty and staff.
That is a role that I had about 10 years ago, so transitioning from 10 years ago to until now has been actually fun. I’m meeting with teachers and students a little bit more now.
But at the same time I’m also doing all of the athletics responsibilities, which includes bringing teams on-campus and scheduling all of our new events this spring.
I’m also doing a lot of shadowing of Dr. Kern and many of her meetings, and just getting to know some of the areas that she has been involved with.
So, although it is a transition, it’s something that I know I can do. I just need some time to adjust.
TC: Has the transition been overwhelming or fun?
JL: I wouldn’t say the word, “overwhelming.” I would just say it’s consuming more of my time. But, the important thing is that my family, my wife and kids, have really given me the freedom to do my new job, and it’s really been great having their support at home.
Just kind of getting back into the curriculum side of things has been just fantastic. This is a transition, and I don’t know that it’s necessarily been hard. I just think it’s just a new layer to what I’ve already been doing in my time at NDB.