By Mirika Jambudi (III)
After four years at Pingry, this past year serving as Lower School Director, Dr. Sandy Lizaire-Duff will be leaving Pingry in June to take the next step in her career. She will be relocating to Stamford, Connecticut, where she will be the Head of Lower School at King School.
Dr. Lizaire-Duff received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Montclair State University, a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Teachers College of Columbia University, and a doctorate in Urban Systems from Rutgers University. She started her teaching career at Edgemont Montessori School in Montclair in 1999 after she had graduated from Teachers College. She credits her inspiration for becoming a teacher to her “love for helping kids, even as a child,” as well as her prior work with young girls thanks to a friend who was a teacher. Though she did not teach any courses as Lower School Director, Dr. Lizaire-Duff loved going into classrooms to visit and interact with the students, noting that seeing their “smiling faces were some of the best parts of [her] day.” In addition to her many day-to-day operational tasks, Dr. Lizaire-Duff was part of the development of the 2018 Strategic Plan, worked with the professional development program, and advanced the work of diversity and inclusion.
Dr. Lizaire-Duff will fondly look back at her favorite memories of Pingry, such as the annual Field Day: a “sea of blue and white with smiling faces… and being able to see kids being kids and having fun.” She will also forever cherish her connections with Lower School students, faculty, staff, and parents, and is proud to have had “the privilege of partnering and working with an incredible community these past four years.” In a parting message to the school, Dr. Lizaire-Duff would like to wish everyone continued good health. Thank you, Dr. Lizaire-Duff, for your contributions to Pingry––you will be missed!