HOS ANNOUNCEMENT

Announcing Touchstone Community School's

New Head of School for '25-'26

Dear Touchstone Community,


On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Head of School Search Committee, it is with great pleasure that today we formally welcome Elisabeth Swain as the next Head of School of Touchstone. The decision is a culmination of a thorough search and interview process which was determined to find the right person to lead Touchstone based on our core values, near needs, and long-term aspirations. 


The search for a new Head of School was led by a dedicated group of passionate volunteers. Their role was to translate the school's values, strategy, and needs into a structured, quantifiable process to evaluate a strong group of candidates. We sought to find someone who reflects the progressive values but who can also strive to ensure financial and admissions needs are being met to ensure the school can expand the programs and support our children require for the future. This new head of school also needed to be able to continue carrying Touchstone’s traditions of what has made it a community for over 40 years to numerous families and students.

The process included three rounds of committee interviews, a board interview, two campus visits, and more. Throughout the interview process, Elisabeth has proven her passions and values align perfectly with Touchstone. Elisabeth has shown with her experience in progressive education, educational admissions consulting, board leadership, and development leadership, she is prepared to take on the role of head and drive Touchstone into the future.


You, the community, will have many chances to get to know Elisabeth over the coming months. She will participate in the Annual Meeting, the spring event in April, and hold in-person parent meet and greets after the Annual Meeting. She is equally excited to start getting to know all members of our special community.



Please join me in warmly welcoming Elisabeth Swain as Touchstone Community School's next Head of School. 

 

With appreciation,

 

Brad Maltz
Chair, Board of Trustees
Chair, Head of School Search Committee

Introducing Elisabeth Swain

Dear Touchstone Community,

With deep gratitude and tremendous enthusiasm, I am honored to step into the role of Head of School at Touchstone. From my earliest days as an educator, I have been drawn to schools that prioritize curiosity, connection, and transformative learning. The moment I stepped onto the Touchstone campus, I felt a connection to the engaged and joyful energy I found. It was present in the conversation between Nicole and the Nestlings by the fire, in the intent hand-work happening in the Woodshop and throughout each class I visited.


Touchstone’s commitment to progressive education, eco-literacy, and equity aligns seamlessly with my own educational philosophy. Over the past two decades, I have dedicated my career to fostering student-centered learning environments that empower young people to think critically, find their voices, and engage with the world. My experiences span over twenty years of classroom teaching, curriculum development, admissions consulting, fundraising, and strategic leadership. Whether designing innovative programs, securing program funding, or coaching teams toward a shared vision, my work has always centered around the belief that education should be dynamic, inclusive, and deeply meaningful—values I know I share with Touchstone. 


Education is not just about preparing students for the future; it’s about equipping them to actively engage in the world today. I believe that school should be a place that is inspiring, empowering, and deeply human—a place where education is an adventure, students are seen as individuals, and learning is both vigorous and full of joy. While I always enjoyed guiding students in their studies, many of my most cherished memories as an educator happened outside the classroom walls - climbing Mount Monadnock with my elementary students, working alongside preschoolers in their vegetable garden, and collaborating with middle schoolers on hands-on sustainability projects. Touchstone’s commitment to interdisciplinary, project-based learning grounded in equity and inclusion is something I deeply admire, and I look forward to building upon this strong foundation. 


As I step into this role, I do so with great appreciation for the work that has made Touchstone the vibrant learning community it is today. I look forward to listening, learning, and collaborating with all of you—students, faculty, staff, and families—to honor the school’s traditions while embracing the exciting possibilities ahead.


On a personal note, I bring with me on this journey my son, Gus, who is entering high school in the fall, my daughter, Isabel, a recent graduate of The Putney School in Vermont, and my husband, Jeremy. Their love and support means the world to me.


I cannot wait to embark on this journey with you and contribute to the continued growth of this incredible school. I look forward to meeting each of you and working together in the months and years to come!


Warmly,

Elisabeth
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