Incoming Elementary School Director Visits School

She’s a lifelong educator with leadership experience in public, charter and international schools. She’s a champion of progressive education in which young learners construct their own knowledge. She’s a former community activist, a strong social justice advocate, a wife and a mother of four. She’s an enthusiastic hiker, a mediocre knitter and an avid reader of everything from academic tomes to Victorian mysteries—often at the same time.

These were just some of the facts about Debbie Wei that Elementary School parents learned on May 4, when they packed the Community Room to hear from the incoming division director. Debbie was introduced by current Elementary School Director Joanie Martin, who will retire at the end of the school year after nearly three decades. Joanie shared that during their interview, Debbie’s ideas about education and child development so closely matched her own that the two women kept high-fiving. Said Joanie, “I couldn’t be more delighted and thrilled for Debbie to lead the Elementary School.”

In a talk with Bob Riddle that followed, one peppered with frequent laughter, Debbie shared some of her history, including serving as the founding principal and CEO of a Philadelphia charter school and her current role as principal of the Elementary School for the American Embassy School in New Delhi, India. She described her first impression of Crossroads as being “a warm, thoughtful place. I was impressed by the types of questions and investigations that students and teachers were engaged in. I felt comfortable right away.” Bob revealed that the School was seriously considering a different successor for Joanie when Debbie’s application came across his desk. The first line of her personal statement read, “I believe in the power of education to change the world.” Bob recalled thinking, “I need to meet this woman.”

Debbie took questions from the parents in the audience, as well as a comment. "I know this is unsolicited feedback, but I just want to say I love your sense of humor,” offered kindergarten dad Stephen Leeds ’88. “And sitting here amongst all the parents, I thought you should know, I'm seeing everybody whisper to each other, ‘She's great!’”

The sentiment was mutual. Debbie praised the Crossroads parent community, particularly their commitment to the principles of equity she holds so dear. She said, “The fact that I can sit in a room full of parents and say ‘Social justice matters to me’—I can’t tell you how good that makes me feel.”