TIS Community:

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am thrilled to announce that Bodo Heiliger has accepted our invitation to become the next TIS head of school, effective July 1, 2021.  Bodo succeeds Robert Woods who skillfully led the TIS community for more than 8 years. Robert will partner closely with Bodo in the months ahead to ensure a seamless transition. Bodo will work with the educational leadership team to determine next steps for filling his current role.

This appointment is the result of a long and thoughtful search that started last Spring when the Search Committee began a national and international effort to recruit the strongest and best-matched candidates to our school. From an initial pool of more than 26 highly qualified candidates, the Search Committee interviewed six people and three were invited to two days of interviews with administration, faculty, staff, parents and alumni. We are so grateful for the thoughtful feedback we received from hundreds of community surveys that helped shape this decision.

As you know in his work as head of elementary over the last four years, Bodo is a demonstrated leader with infectious enthusiasm for the values of our community and its promise. In his time at TIS, Bodo has guided the school in the implementation of playful inquiry and play-based learning across all age levels and has been instrumental in leading TIS’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. He has been working closely with leaders in this area to implement ongoing staff training, adjust hiring practices, and examine and adjust equitable and inclusive teaching practices in the classroom. He recognizes that this essential work is ongoing and continues to lead with a vision of fairness and change.

Bodo is particularly proud of the work he and others have done to ensure the creation of the Dolores A. Spear Center for Teaching Excellence.  In addition to providing the vision and securing the endowed gift to ensure the funding for the Spear Center in perpetuity, Bodo has led and hosted workshops on effective teaching and learning.

Before coming to TIS Bodo worked for 7 years (2009-2016) at the Munich International School and served the school in several roles including Primary Years Programme Coordinator and PYP Language Curriculum Coordinator.

In Bodo’s own words, “I love teaching. I love learning.  And I love working with others to create transformative learning experiences for all students.”

Bodo and his wife, Ann, live in Milwaukie and their 7-year-old twins attend TIS.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we extend our deep gratitude to all members of the TIS community for your commitment to the search process.  We are especially grateful to Search Committee members for their countless hours of dedicated service to this search and our school: Jessica Hamilton, Kristopher Taft, David Antezana, Kelley Bonsall, Emily Emanuel, Michael Gurton, Laura Kung, Damien Munsinger. We are also grateful for the guidance and support of our search consultants, Joan Beauregard and Sally Mixell of Educators’ Collaborative.

Please join me in welcoming Bodo to his new role.  There are many opportunities ahead and we are confident he will lead TIS to a strong and vibrant future.