Kathleen brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in independent and international education to Tessa International School. She holds a BA in Special Education and K-8 Education, an MA in Administration and Supervision, and principal's certification in New York, and is a recent graduate fellow of the Klingenstein Heads of School Program at Columbia University's Teachers College — one of the field's most selective leadership credentials.
Kathleen began her career as a special education teacher in Florida, specializing in emotional and learning differences, before taking her work abroad. She taught 3rd and 4th grade at a small international school in Genoa, Italy, and lectured at the University of Genoa. She later spent seven years based in Germany with Macmillan McGraw-Hill, traveling globally to work with international schools, universities, and U.S. Department of Defense schools — building a rare, ground-level understanding of education systems worldwide.
Returning to the United States, Kathleen held roles at the United Nations International School, in New Jersey public schools, and at an early childhood center, before moving into admissions leadership at Far Brook School in Short Hills. She went on to serve as Admissions Director in Silicon Valley and as Enrollment Director at Washington International School — a leading IB institution offering Spanish, French, and Dutch immersion — where she helped shape one of the country's most distinctive bilingual communities. Across her career, she has led enrollment and strategic initiatives at two of the largest international schools in the United States.
Kathleen next joined The Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, once among the most diverse schools in the country. She now lives in Hoboken — where both of her parents were born and raised — giving her a deeply personal connection to the community she now serves.
In 2024, Kathleen was appointed a Global Ambassador to the National Association of Independent Schools' (NAIS) International Global Leadership Board, reflecting her standing among the field's most respected voices. A longtime NAIS member, she is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences on creative enrollment outreach.
Kathleen's daughter, Kate, earned her BA in Economics and Mandarin from NYU and her MPA from NYU Wagner, and now serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to the First Deputy Mayor in City Hall in NYC. Kathleen has seen first hand what an IB education and languages can mean.
Kathleen is honored to begin her 7th year at Tessa, which has grown more than most schools in the NY area. She brings expertise in strategic planning, enrollment growth, community partnership-building, and guiding families through questions about learning styles and differences — along with a lasting commitment to diversity, inclusion, and thoughtful, human-centered communication.
Découvrez pourquoi notre programme bilingue est reconnu comme l'un des meilleurs. Découvrez comment nous combinons l'excellence académique avec des expériences interactives et stimulantes qui favorisent la conscience mondiale.
Office: (201) 755-5585
Location: 720 Monroe St. Hoboken, NJ 07030
Léa Pean