Gooden Blog

Since July, Bailey Stith has been serving as Gooden’s Assistant Head of School, bringing her experience, passion, and creativity to this important role. Many in our community already know Bailey from her years as Admissions Director, where she welcomed countless families and guided them through the Gooden journey.

In her new position, Bailey continues to be a dedicated presence on campus, supporting students, faculty, and families while helping to shape the vision of our school. We’re excited to share more about her path, her leadership, and the ways she continues to strengthen the Gooden community.
 

With 17 years of experience in education, Bailey’s career has been guided by a steadfast commitment to nurturing the whole child. She began as a preschool and then kindergarten teacher, where her classroom was known for joy, curiosity, and a strong focus on social-emotional learning—an area she continues to champion.

Her leadership expanded as she served as Preschool Director, guiding young learners and their teachers through those foundational years with vision and care. She also took on the role of Summer School Director, designing engaging programs that inspired curiosity and growth beyond the school year.
 

Before joining Gooden, Bailey’s work extended across many areas of school life. She designed and spearheaded curriculum for early childhood through 2nd grade and served on multiple committees tasked with evaluating and adopting the most effective curricula for her school. Beyond academics, she embraced leadership roles that shaped student experiences, including serving as Student Council Advisor and Service Learning Coordinator. In these roles, she helped strengthen a partnership with a sister school in Haiti, even visiting the campus to build meaningful connections.
 

Her contributions also included service on several faculty search committees and playing a key role in a capital campaign to build a new early childhood center; efforts that reflect her passion for school growth and mission-driven development.
 

For the past three years, Bailey has served as Gooden’s Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, welcoming families, shaping the future of the school, and ensuring every child’s transition into Gooden was smooth, supportive, and filled with possibility.
 

Certified in Responsive Classroom, Bailey brings a teaching and leadership philosophy centered on community, engagement, and safe, inclusive learning environments. Her work reflects her deep belief in the importance of connection, consistency, and compassion in education.
 

Outside of school, Bailey is a DIY enthusiast, whether it’s a power tool, a Pinterest board, or a weekend project, her creativity and hands-on spirit shine through.
 

As Assistant Head of School, Bailey will work closely with our faculty, students, and families to support teaching and learning, strengthen community ties, and continue building a culture where every child thrives.

In addition to her new responsibilities as Assistant Head of School, Bailey will continue her important work in admissions, supported by Heather Newbro, Outreach Coordinator. Heather brings both a deep familiarity with Gooden and over 25 years of experience in public and private education. She began teaching in 1998, spent seven years as our beloved first-grade teacher at Gooden (2011–2018), and later returned to assist in admissions before stepping into her current full-time role.

As Outreach Coordinator, Heather is focused on building meaningful connections to benefit our school community. Her knowledge of Gooden, combined with her decades of classroom experience, makes her an invaluable partner in admissions. She believes that every child has the potential to be a leader and that we all have something to learn from one another. These values guide her work as she helps families find a home in a community where each student is truly seen, heard, and encouraged to thrive.
 

Beyond school, Heather enjoys crafting, gardening, cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with friends and her dogs. Her warmth, creativity, and dedication shine through in every interaction, enriching the Gooden community both inside and outside the classroom.

Please join us in celebrating Bailey’s new role and Heather’s expanded contributions. With their leadership, passion, and dedication, we are confident that Gooden will continue to grow and shine. At the heart of their work is the belief that every child deserves to be truly known, genuinely seen, and compassionately heard. When children feel recognized for who they are, they discover confidence, belonging, and the courage to learn and grow.