As a leader who was continually uplifted by female mentors, Ms. Tyler said she is ready and honored to uphold Ellis’ mission of educating girls and young women to become bold, authentic, and intellectually vibrant changemakers. “The mission and vision of Ellis resonate with me because they are how I see myself,” she said. “They’re personal. Young girls who can see themselves changing the world and making a difference is what education is all about.”

Ms. Tyler earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education from Grand View University and a Master of Science in Effective Teacher Learning Leadership from Drake University in Des Moines, and she has also completed doctoral work in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies through the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Her teaching career began in Des Moines Public Schools, where she cultivated her expertise and leadership skills for 19 years. In addition to serving as a high school English teacher, she served in multiple leadership roles, including Middle School Dean of Students, K-8 School Improvement Leader, interim Human Resources Director, and Middle School Vice Principal in an International Baccalaureate program. Following nearly two decades in Des Moines Public Schools, she joined the faculty of Atlanta International School (AIS), a co-ed independent day school serving 1,200 students in preschool through grade 12. She served five years as the Upper School Principal and Deputy Head of Secondary Education, pioneering initiatives that sparked growth and progress, such as the school’s first Equity & Inclusion (E&I) task force. This task force provided professional development to faculty and staff and helped to create the first full-time E&I leadership position at AIS.

As her past leadership roles demonstrate, Ms. Tyler prioritizes keeping a pulse on the climate and culture of schools and working collaboratively with board members, faculty, parents, and students to ensure the most rewarding student experiences and the most enriching learning environments. She said that in a world where young women continue to face long-standing hurdles and challenges—especially with regard to access and representation in positions of leadership—she is looking forward to bringing this same spirit of collaboration and advancement to Ellis.

“Limited seats at the table of leadership, power, or high-level management is a challenge for young women and girls. As we look across the country, we see more and more women gaining access to environments that have traditionally been most accessible to men, or to positions that have never before been held by women, and this is promising. Yet, it is still evident that women have limited access,” Ms. Tyler said. “The beauty in preparing young girls for their future is that they can better recognize and execute on their inner uniqueness with confidence and strength.”

Ms. Tyler said she sees an all-girls education as a foundation on which women can build a world where barriers to access are torn down, where girls see each other as equals and not rivals, and where girls can share a positive outlook of support, strength, and bonds of interconnectedness. “As young women navigate being a potential ‘first’ in certain environments, they can also ensure that they aren’t an ‘only,’” she said.

Her ambition to empower girls to confidently achieve such firsts is reflected in her own career journey, as she is the first Black woman to hold the position of Head of School at Ellis. She hopes she can inspire the young women at Ellis to not only break down barriers, but to create a future where achievements that would today be considered firsts, breakthroughs, or milestones for women are the norm.

An all-girls education, Ms. Tyler believes, also provides the development, independence, and opportunities for self-expression that allow girls to recognize and overcome stereotypes. From traditional gender roles to expectations about what actions and attitudes are proper for women to demonstrate, there are numerous pressures over which young women can triumph when equipped with a strong education. “As girls navigate their school years, and into their adulthood, they will often have to make decisions that break norms and challenge the status quo,” she said. Societal pressures and stereotypes are easily identified and strategically hurdled by young girls who take part in all-girls education.”

Through her interactions with the Ellis community so far, Ms. Tyler has been struck by the “infectious” love that the board members, students, teachers, parents, and extended alumnae family have for their school, its mission, and all those connected to it. She is excited to meet and develop meaningful relationships with more students, families, and faculty, as well as education leaders throughout Pittsburgh. Already embracing school spirit, she is looking forward to seeing Ellis students perform, compete, and represent their school in sports, the arts, and all endeavors on which they boldly embark. She also said she cannot wait to experience all things Pittsburgh—cuisine, arts, sports, community life… “And yes, she said, “even embracing the Pittsburgh weather! I am ready and beyond excited to learn and grow in my new home of Pennsylvania.

At the start of the school year, students and faculty saw pure joy and excitement radiating from their new Head of School. For Ms. Tyler, this is the most wonderful time of the year, and she is eager to celebrate a new year full of promise and growth with the Ellis community. “There is nothing like the first day of school,” she said. “Teachers have put their hearts into making sure their curriculum, the room, and even their routines are ready. The students and their families are full of hopeful, nervous energy. They can’t wait to see how everyone has grown and how the day will go. I adore the first day of school each year. It’s my favorite time of the year.”

In a letter to the Ellis community that Ms. Tyler shared upon news of her appointment, she wrote, “One of my favorite quotes is by author Peter Block, who writes about community building and civic engagement. It reads, ‘How do you change the world? One room at a time. Which room? The one you’re in.’” True to Peter Block’s words, Ms. Tyler has demonstrated a commitment to catalyzing growth and building bright futures for each school community her career has touched—a commitment that promises to propel The Ellis School towards exciting new horizons.