Elizabeth “Liz” Helfant, currently serving as Dean of Curriculum and Instruction at Mary Institute Country Day School (a PreK-12 independent day school serving approximately 1,250 students), will assume the role of Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs at Ravenscroft on July 1, 2025.

“As I set out to identify the next academic leader for our school community, it was essential to find someone to help propel Ravenscroft forward, furthering academic excellence with an eye toward preparing our students for what’s often called the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Head of School Derrick Willard said. “It is important that there is a very thoughtful approach to technology integration and implementation of researched-based practices. Liz Helfant will bring all of that in her work at Ravenscroft.”

Helfant is an award-winning educational leader and has been an innovative force in independent schools for over two decades. Her considerable experience includes designing student-centered curricula, establishing engagement strategies, developing best practices in assessment, and teaching skills with technology. She is a well-respected consultant in educational technology and as a recipient of the prestigious ATLIS Pillar Award has been recognized as an unsung hero for her many contributions — leadership, mentorship and support of technology leaders in independent schools.

“I have met few academic leaders like Liz,” Willard stated. “She has an insatiable appetite for learning, a true gift for implementing research-based best practices, a gentle fearlessness to try new methods, and a humble nature when collaborating with colleagues.”

In addition to her role at MICDS, Helfant also serves as an independent consultant globally. She serves the national consulting organization Educational Collaborators by assisting independent and public schools with a variety of curricular needs, including the implementation of standards-based grading systems, report card structures and more. She also brings together some of the best minds in education each June for STLinSTL, the annual Summit for Transformative Learning in St. Louis, on the campus of MICDS.

“I really admire her current work with implementing brain research and artificial intelligence in schools,” Willard noted. “Given her robust knowledge and experience of comprehensive curriculum development, we are fortunate to have her join our community.”

“Liz is the secret ingredient that turned MICDS into a high-performing school,” Sally Maxwell, Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning at MICDS, said of her colleague. “What is most amazing about Liz is her servant's heart when approaching whatever needs to be done. Liz will co-teach. She will coach. She will help a teacher on a Sunday. She works — hard.”

As Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs at Ravenscroft, Helfant will, among other things, be charged with:

• Supporting, refining and augmenting Ravenscroft’s excellent academic program, working closely with our three division heads and department chairs
• Working collaboratively with the Director of Community, Culture and Belonging and the Associate Head of School for Student Affairs to construct inclusive and healthy learning environments and a representative curriculum for a diverse group of teachers and students
• Overseeing the Academic Committee, comprising department chairs and division heads, to develop and implement curricular and pedagogical goals
• Promoting the growth, development, efficacy and professionalism of the faculty by overseeing the faculty growth and evaluation programs and the professional development system
• Assist the Head of School in coaching, mentoring and supporting academic leaders across campus.

Willard and Helfant have known each other through independent school connections for many years but have not previously worked together.

“Derrick is someone I have enormous respect for and someone who is known throughout independent schools as being a visionary,” Helfant said. “When I visited Ravenscroft, I was very impressed by the students and everyone I met. I’m excited by the work that lies ahead at Ravenscroft. It is work that I am very familiar with, and I look forward to working with Derrick and the Ravenscroft community to support the vision for Ravenscroft’s future.”

Helfant holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, and began her work in education teaching chemistry, physics and mathematics. She has held various positions and responsibilities at a number of independent schools over her career, including The Haverford School (Pennsylvania), Savannah Country Day School (Georgia), St. Andrews Episcopal School (Mississippi), and Columbus Academy (Ohio).

Helfant has four adult children, three sons and a daughter, who were all raised attending independent schools. She is the proud grandmother of two and the new mom to a nine-week-old Golden Lab puppy, Montana.

We look forward to welcoming Helfant to the school community.