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Paul Cuffee Leadership

Head of School
Lower School Academic Head
Middle School Academic Head
New High School Academic Head

Michael Obel-Omia
Head of School

If you see this smiling man in our hallways in the coming weeks, please introduce yourself to our new Head of School, Michael Obel-Omia! Michael has been working in education both as a teacher, coach, administrator, and school leader since 1988. He will assume his duties at Paul Cuffee in July, following the retirement of Founding Head of School, David Bourns.

We are confident of his embrace of, and support for, Paul Cuffee’s community, mission and culture. He is already demonstrating his enthusiasm by attending student events and meeting face-to-face with faculty, staff, and other community members, as well as through his research, frequent e-mails and phone calls! Michael penned this poignant reflection after his 48 hour visit in April:

What an honor it will be to serve this community. The moments that I have had on campus have only made me feel joy in the abilities of the students and the commitment of the faculty and staff.

I attended an elementary school Town Meeting and marveled as confident girls and boys presented what they had been studying in their classes for the past few weeks; I attended the middle school Wednesday morning assembly and listened to dedicated teachers share their passions concerning inclusion and stewardship for our earth, our world, our nation, our community, and ourselves with the students; and I attended “Jazz is a Rainbow” and enjoyed the middle school ensemble’s performances of songs, spoken word and dances which educated the multi-generational audience about the influences of African and Latino American cultures on America in the 20th Century. At each event, I had a chance to see students in the spotlight, taking ownership of their lives while being expertly and thoughtfully guided and nurtured by caring adults. It is this beautiful concert, which seems to happen daily and seamlessly, that draws me to this work and this impressive community.

I look forward to collaborating with the hardworking faculty and staff to continue helping the school empower bright, talented students, who thrive in a school that values them as individuals with unique talents and powerful voices.

Michael will be leaving his current position teaching English, coaching and serving as the Middle School Diversity Coordinator at William Penn Charter School, in Philadelphia. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn Charter, he served for three years as the Upper School Director and Head of Campus at The University School, in Hunting Valley, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. There, he led an upper school division with 420 boys, 65 faculty and 45 support staff.

Michael has spent the bulk of his career at the Roxbury Latin School in Boston. During 16 years, he served as Dean of Students and Director of Admissions, while teaching English and coaching football, wrestling and baseball. He began his teaching and coaching career at Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Penn., a college preparatory boarding and day school for 300+ students in grades 5-12. Michael is a graduate of Middlebury College, where he obtained a degree in American Literature. He also completed a master’s degree through Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English.

Michael currently serves as a trustee of Middlebury and Kenyon Colleges, and is a former trustee of The Learning Project Elementary School, The Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, Charles River YMCA and the Great Lakes Shakespeare Theater. He participated in the Boston Big Brothers Association for eight years, and raised funds for this group and the Action Corps by running in the Boston Marathon and cycling in the Rodman Ride for Kids event.

A scholar of Shakespeare and of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Michael has been published and interviewed by national and international media, including NPR’s “On Point.” An avid Red Sox fan, Michael looks forward to moving back to New England with his wife Carolyn, who is also an accomplished scholar and educator, and their three young children: Jackson, Elizabeth and Zachary.