To celebrate the major milestone of their 275th Anniversary, Wilmington Friends School (DE), knew where to turn: Friends Council on Education. They called on Friends Council’s executive director Drew Smith as the moderator for their celebratory event featuring a panel of current and former heads of WFS. The panel featured Ken Aldridge, current head of WFS, and three former heads of WFS – Bryan Garman, Lisa Darling, and Bill Goulding. All four panelists spoke about their path to Quaker education and Wilmington Friends School, when and how they navigated schoolwide change during their tenures, how heads know they have succeeded with graduates from the school, and what is different and unique about leading a Quaker school. Lifted up during the conversation, among many things, was the strength of student voices, the power of moments of silence and Meeting for Worship, and being in a community of listeners. Indeed, as the evening unfolded, the many interconnections with Friends Council became clear. Ken Aldridge and Bryan Garman currently serve on the Friends Council Board, Lisa Darling is a former Friends Council Board member. Both Drew Smith and Bill Goulding are alums of Westtown School, and Bryan and Ken are graduates of Friends Council’s Leadership Institute.

Photo credit: Elisa Morris Photography