Hewitt News

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Liz Brennan will be Hewitt’s next head of upper school, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Brennan is ready and excited to assume this important role and lead our extraordinary community of upper school teachers, families, and students in ninth through twelfth grade. 

After a highly competitive search process that concluded with on-campus full day interviews, classroom visits, and a thorough review of feedback submitted by faculty, staff, and families, Head of School Dr. Tara Christie Kinsey and Incoming Head of School Dr. Jennifer Zaccara are delighted to have recruited to this leadership position a highly accomplished educator with deep and wide relationships in this community, extensive knowledge about our upper school program, and a genuine love of The Hewitt School. 

It has been a joy to watch Dr. Brennan grow her career at Hewitt over the last 14 years. Since arriving at Hewitt in 2011, Liz has served in a number of increasingly senior roles, including middle and upper school mathematics teacher, grade level dean in our upper school, instructional and learning design coach, and mathematics department chair. Importantly, Dr. Brennan served on the 2020 Strategic Visioning Committee, which rewrote Hewitt's mission and outlined our strategic vision. She currently serves as upper school academic dean for STEM, mathematics teacher, advisor to the Class of 2025, and K-12 professional development coordinator.

Among her many notable achievements at Hewitt, Dr. Brennan has been responsible for the development and successful launch of our signature Extended Inquiry program, a rigorous and unique honors program that gives students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to pursue their academic passions and differentiate themselves in the college process through independent research projects offered typically only at the undergraduate or graduate level. 

Dr. Brennan was named a New York State Finalist for the 2023 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Prior to starting her teaching career, Liz earned a B.S., summa cum laude (Phi Beta Kappa), in mathematics from Stony Brook University, an M.A. in mathematics and urban education from Adelphi University, and a Ph.D. in mathematics education from Teachers College, Columbia University. 

Beyond her love for classroom teaching, Liz excels in the operational and organizational side of school management. Most recently, this has meant participating in Hewitt events such as “Women, Wealth, Purpose Driven Investment, and Philanthropy” with Bernstein Private Wealth Management; “Hewitt’s Extended Inquiry Program: Setting Students Apart in the College Process”; managing the logistics of 100+ live-streamed Extended Inquiry in-person presentations; and co-teaching the ninth grade seminar investigating air quality in collaboration with Hewitt’s Center for Girls’ Research and Leadership. A Broadway enthusiast and clarinetist who often plays with Hewitt’s ensembles, Liz is married to a former fellow Hewitt mathematics teacher and has three children (ages 7, 5, and 4) who love to hike, bike, and swim.

Dr. Brennan shares, “I have been a proud member of this remarkable community for 14 years. I am excited to step into a new role at Hewitt and look forward to continuing and building on the incredible work Elizabeth Stevens has done in our upper school. I remain deeply committed to Hewitt’s mission and vision and look forward to working with our students, parents and guardians, alumnae, and educators to amplify girls' voices as they follow their own curiosity and engage in creative real-world problem solving. I am grateful for this opportunity and for all the love and support this community has given me.”

In the coming weeks, Dr. Kinsey and Dr. Zaccara will work with Outgoing Head of Upper School Elizabeth Stevens and Dr. Brennan to ensure a smooth and seamless transition process.

We are grateful to the Hewitt community of parents, faculty, and staff for their engagement throughout this search. Their thoughtful attention, insightful questions, and candid feedback have so clearly shown their investment in and care for our school and its exciting future. 

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Brennan as the next leader of our upper school!