Announcing New Head of School, Eric Dustman, PhD
Montessori School of Maui
Montessori School of Maui is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Head of School, Eric L Dustman, PhD. The School’s Board of Trustees completed a six-month nationwide search to find and hire the successor to Rene Anderson-Vorfeld, who served as Head of School from 2012 through July 2017. Eric began working at Montessori in mid-July, alongside Rene, prior to her departure at the end of the month.
A credentialed Montessorian and native Ohioan, Eric is thrilled to join the Montessori School of Maui as new Head of School. Formerly a principal at Qingdao Amerasia International School in Qingdao, China, a Toddler – Grade 12 International Baccalaureate program, Eric spent the last two years collaborating to fuse the IB and Montessori pedagogies at the toddler through early childhood levels. Before moving to China with his family, Eric enjoyed a long, 14-year tenure as Head of School at The New School Montessori (TNSM) in Cincinnati, Ohio. A dually accredited program, TNSM remains a local and regional leader in Montessori education as it approaches its 50th Anniversary.
Extensive experience in international, private, and public schools attracted the Montessori’s Head of School Search Committee to Eric, while an exceptional record of promoting Montessori education and extending its benefits to children and adults alike, made the school a place of keen interest for him. Eric stated, “After spending the last two years in China, it is time for my wife and I to begin re-establishing our family and our roots within the United States. Doing so in Hawaii with and among those at Montessori School of Maui who have been so welcoming, looks very promising.” Eric made the move to Maui with his wife, Renee, and their three children Lucy (16), Amelia (14), and Witt (12.)
Head of School Search Committee Chair, Tess DeLisa, had this to say about Eric, “Overwhelmingly, our community found Eric to be an excellent match for the Montessori School of Maui. He is a highly experienced, credentialed Montessori teacher with a PhD in Educational Studies with a focus on Empathy, and many years of demonstrated success as a Montessori Head of School. Eric’s qualifications, along with his immediate rapport with our committee and community, give us great excitement for things to come under his leadership. We are very happy to warmly welcome Eric and his family to our school ʻohana.”
Of the transition, former Head of School, René Anderson-Vorfeld offered, “I have great confidence in Eric and his leadership abilities. Along with the passionate team that has been here for such a long time, I only see a bright future continuing for this amazing community.”
About Montessori School of Maui:
Founded in 1978, Montessori School of Maui provides a comprehensive curriculum from early childhood into adolescence by following the principles, spirit, and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori’s method of education. This approach features a collaborative learning environment to stimulate each student’s critical thinking skills, cultivate inquisitive minds and empower children to actively participate in the rapidly changing environment of the twenty-first century.gh
The Montessori School of Maui is a non-denominational, non-profit 501©3 corporation licensed by the Hawaii Council of Private Schools and the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS).
