Leading Ladies 2016

Suzanne Fogarty

Head of School – Lincoln School

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With a strong sense of tradition and a commitment to empower, the Lincoln School believes that young women should proudly lead like a girl. “Our Lincoln students truly believe that ‘like a girl’ is a compliment,” says Head of School Suzanne Fogarty. “They’re learning to be ‘like a girl’ – to lead through innovation, joy and rigorous learning.”

Originally from White Plains, New York, Suzanne has a Bachelor’s from Bowdoin College, where she majored in English and French. She completed her Masters in elementary education from Bank Street College. She previously worked at prestigious independent schools in New York City, including Berkeley Carroll, St. Ann’s and the Brearley School. Suzanne took on the role as Lincoln’s Head of School in 2014, relocating to Providence with her husband John Bennett. “I absolutely love the environment here at Lincoln School,” she says. “The entire school and community have been incredibly welcoming.”

The Lincoln School Tradition

“Lincoln is a school where tradition meets innovation,” Suzanne says. Founded in 1884, the East Side institution is the only all girls, Quaker independent school for grades 1 through 12 in the nation with a co-educational early childhood (nursery through kindergarten) program and the Little School for children from 6 weeks to 3 years. Drawing on its Quaker heritage, Lincoln School focuses on character and values, as well as knowledge, simplicity, cooperation, mutual respect, and nonviolent resolution of conflict. The aims of a Lincoln education are confidence, achievement, a commitment to service and a lifelong love of learning. “I am always, always learning,” says Suzanne. “This is such an important part our of our mission, to instill a passion for continuous learning and curiosity.”

Under Suzanne’s leadership, the Lincoln School has entered in dynamic partnerships with local institutions. “We’re in our second year of our partnership with RISD’s School of Architecture, our second year of our partnership with Brown’s School of Engineering, our second year of the India Program, our first year of our partnership with Save the Bay,” Suzanne says. “You can see that the word ‘partnership’ comes up quite a bit. Collaboration is so important to what we do at Lincoln School.” With the RISD and Brown collaborations, Upper School students have the opportunity to enroll in college level, credit-bearing courses at the universities. “These hands-on, outside of the traditional classroom programs are so vital to the way Lincoln School engages and educates its students,” Suzanne explains.

These innovative programs have been praised on a national level, leading to a special invitation for Lincoln School colleagues to present details to over 800 educators from around the world at the Global Forum for Girl’s Education conference in New York City last month. “It’s always exciting to share our programs with peer educators. It’s truly an honor,” she says.

Like a Lincoln Girl
Alongside faculty and staff, Suzanne is committed to redefining what it means to be like a girl. “The ‘like a girl’ campaign has had such a positive impact,” she says, pointing out the school tagline has been an inspiration for students and staff alike. At Lincoln, rigorous education is balanced with highly specialized extracurricular activities. From its competitive athletic programs and community speaking series to community-minded outreach and its award-winning Girls Who Code club, students have access to programs that continue to thrust them in leadership positions. “Students believe that they can make a difference in the world,” says Suzanne. “It’s a confidence and resilience that transcends beyond the classroom and into every aspect of life.”

301 Butler Avenue, Providence • 401-331-9696 • www.lincolnschool.org • sfogarty@lincolnschool.org

Suzanne Fogarty, lincoln school, leading ladies, Leading Ladies 2016

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