Montclair Kimberley Academy names assistant head of school for diversity

Montclair Kimberley Academy has named Paris McLean as its next assistant head of school for diversity, inclusion and anti-racism. He will officially join MKA on July 1.

Head of School Nigel D. Furlonge said, “Out of all the qualified candidates, Paris McLean’s experience, skill set, infectious persona and capacity as a collaborator set him apart.”

Born in Bordentown and currently a resident of Trenton, McLean has been an independent school educator and leader for 18 years. He has served as a second grade lead teacher, curriculum coordinator, multicultural diversity team chair, head varsity basketball coach, lower school head and middle school head at two independent day schools.

McLean is currently the assistant head of school at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart.

He is a graduate of LaSalle University (B.A., elementary and special education), The Klingenstein Center, Teachers College Columbia University (Ed.M., private school leadership) and, most recently, the National Association of Independent Schools Aspiring Heads Institute.

As MKA’s assistant head of school for diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, McLean will work to cultivate a diverse and cosmopolitan community where everyone feels at home and where students become prepared to engage with the 21st-century world.

He describes himself “as a mission-driven school leader [who seeks] to develop communities where every voice, individual and constituency are seen, heard, known and valued for who they are and their inherent worth. My leadership efforts are practical and grounded, defining reasonable and achievable goals and expectations for those I partner with, as well as for myself.”