Scott Reisinger to Retire Following 2022-23 School Year

Dan Feigin '84 Appointed Incoming Head of School

April 22, 2022

Dear Trevor Community,
 
It is with bittersweet emotions that I announce that Head of School Scott R. Reisinger will retire at the end of the next academic year (2022–2023). Scott informed the Board of Trustees of his plans a few weeks ago; with deep appreciation and boundless respect, the Board has accepted his resignation, effective June 30, 2023.
 
Scott's headship has been guided by a vision of education that ensures that every child in his charge is the focus and center of our collective efforts, and that each Trevor student is known, cared for, and educated as the unique individual they are. His tenure has been further bolstered by the fulfillment of our school’s unwavering promise: ambitious academics, engaged students and faculty, and balanced lives for all. I only hope that retirement will offer Scott the balance to which he has been so committed for our community.
 
I further announce with great excitement and confidence that at its meeting on Monday, April 18th, the Board of Directors unanimously elected Daniel Feigin as Trevor’s next Head of School. He will assume this role on July 1, 2023.
 
As is its charge and responsibility, the Board has been dutifully planning for succession for the last several years of Scott’s tenure. After thoroughly weighing many options for our future, we recognized that the most capable, qualified, and visionary successor to guide Trevor’s strong trajectory is a long-time servant and leader within our community.
 
Dan has been an educator and administrator at Trevor for three decades; he is also a proud Trevor alumnus and Trevor parent. It is a rare and fulfilling occasion when a school witnesses a graduate come full circle and achieve such a leadership position at their alma mater. The Board feels fortunate to have the opportunity to appoint a Trevor stalwart to guide the school through its next stage. Scott concurs and has told Board members that he takes great comfort in his decision to retire knowing that Trevor is in such a strong place and that the person who succeeds him is ready to thrive.
 
Dan has served as Assistant Head of School and Director of Upper School since 2013. He is a senior member of Trevor’s Academic Leadership Team and Administrative Leadership Team, with oversight of all curricular and extracurricular operations and personnel; the recruitment, training and retention of faculty; and the management of all external revenue streams for the school. He is an experienced and highly talented fundraiser and community-builder. Dan also utilizes exceptional communication and relationship skills to support the efforts of Trevor’s Admissions team; at every opportunity he promotes the school with great knowledge, insight, and candor.
 
In partnership with the Board’s Building Committee and Trevor’s Executive Director of Operations, Dan was instrumental in the execution of the 312 East 95th Street building project, especially during a leadership transition in its final years. He remains an exceptional steward who can be found touring alumni, prospective faculty, and neighbors on any given day or night.
 
Prior to his current position he served as the Middle and Upper School Director for three years and the Co-Director of Admissions (grades 6–12) before that. Other roles have included Dean of Students, Upper School English Teacher, Associate Director of Development, Academic Advisor, Community Service Program Coordinator, and Varsity Soccer and Basketball Coach. To say that Dan has done it all at Trevor is an understatement.
 
Dan is a leader in the independent school world and in the NYC community. He is a long-time member of the NYSAIS Division Head/Assistant Head Planning Committee and he has been a vital participant in several peer school accreditation processes as a NYSAIS Visiting Committee Member. He has also served on the Packer Collegiate Institute Board of Trustees where he was a member of the Curriculum, Strategic Plan, and Professional Development committees.
 
In 2015, the year the Middle and Upper School moved to East 95th Street, Dan forged a relationship with the Stanley M. Isaacs Center on First Avenue. He was intent on making the East Campus a beacon of education and friendship in our new community. He has been instrumental in developing our partnership and the many programs and services we have been able to offer— including an after-school mentoring and tutoring program, Thanksgiving Day meal service, and more. Dan accepted the Isaacs Center Award for Service in 2019 on Trevor’s behalf. This is one of many examples of community building in which Dan excels.
 
Dan is a graduate of Trevor Day School (The Day School Class of 1984), Packer Collegiate Institute (Class of 1988), Franklin and Marshall College (BA in Literature, 1992), and Columbia University Teachers College (MA in Educational Administration, 1999). Dan’s wife, Stephanie, is an upper level science teacher and dean at Horace Mann School. Dan’s son, Jackson, graduated from Horace Mann in 2021 and currently attends Wake Forest University; his daughter, Dylan, is a Trevor 8th grader.
 
Over the course of my time working with Dan—including myriad meetings, events, and strategy sessions, the following sentiment which he shared has stayed with me:
 
“I am eternally optimistic about Trevor young people. I believe in them and will do anything to support them. And I have reason to believe in them; I have now seen generations of Trevor students contribute to the world in ways big and small.”
 
Over the next year, we will host a series of in-person and virtual events to give everyone in our community an opportunity to get to know Dan better and hear about his vision for Trevor. Please be on the lookout for invitations starting in fall of 2022. Personally, I look forward to the academic year ahead, when I will have ample opportunity to work with both Scott and Dan to advance the school that we all love so much. There is much good work to celebrate, and even more that we hope to do.
 
Under Scott’s adept leadership, we have accomplished a host of major goals set forth by the Board and administration: the completion of 312 East 95th Street; the renovation of the Andrew Goodman Building; the development of a strategic plan and a renewed emphasis on strategic thinking; the continued refinement and development of our pedagogical approach of inquiry-based learning; transformative efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion that, while ongoing, have made the school a better place for all; important signature programs including Digital Scholarship and Sustainability; attracting and retaining a highly talented faculty who embrace and prioritize the Trevor curriculum, inquiry-based learning, and the well-being of children in their charge; and long-term financial sustainability—including a doubled endowment and over 24 million dollars raised for faculty salaries, financial aid, capital improvements, and other priorities to support Trevor’s people and programs.
 
Scott’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has won respect and appreciation from students, parents, faculty, staff, and peers. Under his leadership, we have successfully maintained our community, while keeping our school healthy, and moving forward. This was no small feat, and we have all benefited from Scott’s wisdom, patience, and fortitude during this unprecedented time.
 
When Scott announced his plans to the Board, he shared the following:
 
“From the beginning, headship at Trevor has been a labor of love. The past eight years as Head of School have been both rewarding and challenging, the highest point of my professional life. Much has been accomplished in our time together—good work that is the product of outstanding Board leadership and support and the indefatigable efforts of my administrative, faculty, and staff colleagues. You have all been second to none in service to the children in our care. Aside from my daughter Hannah, and my marriage to Anne, my work at Trevor has been the most important of my life. I have been honored by the trust you have placed in me and the love and care you have shown the Reisinger family. Yes, the world does need more Trevor kids, and I will be forever proud of my role—alongside each of you—shepherding and caring for Trevor students and their gifted teachers.”
 
Thank you for your faith in me, encouragement, and friendship. Even better days are ahead for Trevor. It has been an honor to serve our children, parents, colleagues, and you. This school will always be a part of me. Trevor Together.”
 
Please join me in congratulating Dan, Scott, and their families on these exciting developments in their lives and the life of Trevor Day School.
 
Sincerely,
 
 



Valerie Mnuchin
President, Board of Trustees