From the Chairman of the Board Announcement of New JCS President
April 26, 2019
Dear Members of the Jupiter Christian Community,
Following the December announcement of our current president, Dan Steinfield, to return to Philadelphia at the conclusion of his current contract, the Board immediately began a national search for his successor. Beginning in January, from a pool of over forty applications, the screening committee reviewed each applicant in the context of clearly established criteria. From that initial pool seven individuals were selected for a live video interview, and five candidates were invited to campus for a more extensive vetting process. Each site visit entailed three to four days of interviews, including an extensive time with the Board, as well as opportunities to meet with faculty & staff, administrative, and leadership team members, as well as representatives from the parent body. Two highly qualified candidates emerged as finalists and the ultimate decision was based on a variety of factors including a vision for an effective transition to build upon the great work of Dan Seinfeld to sustain the momentum of Jupiter Christian School. New JCS President - Dr. David Breslin
The search process is now complete and on behalf of the Board of Directors I am pleased to announce that Dr. David D. Breslin of Chesapeake, Virginia has been selected to serve as the next President of Jupiter Christian School.
Long serving Board member and parent of three JCS graduates, Don Hearing indicates that "Dr. Breslin comes to JCS with an impressive educational background, a rich experience at a number of different Christian schools, and the capacity to continue to lead JCS on its present upward projectory."
Dr. Breslin holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, a Master's degree from Harvard University and a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University.
Coming to JCS with over 25 years of experience in education Breslin has served independent Christian schools in Virginia and Georgia as an assistant superintendent, head of school, middle school principal, curriculum coordinator, department head, classroom teacher (at the elementary, middle, and high school grades), international programs coordinator, and athletic director. Currently Dr. Breslin serves as assistant superintendent at Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Virginia under Dr. Ron White. (Dr. White is well known nationally as a leader in the Christian School community and who currently serves on the board of directors of the Association of Christian schools International [ACSI]). Dr. White states that "Dave is a visionary with actionable results, he is one of the strongest young leaders I have known, who has a deep and consistent Christian walk and serves as a role model to students, faculty and staff."
Comments made by other references include: "He helps create culture and nourishes it", and "He not only starts new initiatives, but brings them to closure," "He is enthusiastic, upbeat and intentionally affirming," And one former colleagues indicates he stills reflects on Dr. Breslin's wise advice to him years ago; "work hard, do your best, but always take time to rest, be with family, trust God and to recharge."
As an enthusiast of athletics, Dr. Breslin has extensive experience as a coach. He has served as a head coach in a variety of sports, including lacrosse, football, basketball, baseball, volleyball and track & field. With his passion for lacrosse, he led Covenant Christian School to five state lacrosse championships and was named Virginia "coach of the year" three times. While an undergraduate Dr. Breslin was named a NCAA Div. III first team "All American." He is a member of both the New Jersey High School Lacrosse and Ohio Wesleyan University Sports Halls of Fame.
As a head of school and assistant superintendent, Dr. Breslin has been involved in setting and implementing a strategic vision that addressed academic, spiritual, extracurricular and financial opportunities. He actively led a team in raising substantial sums to support the mission of the school. In addition, Dr. Breslin has experience creating effective leadership models that give agency to stakeholders in the community, has implemented a robust international program, revised curriculum, and implemented an enhanced professional development and evaluation plan for teachers and administrators.
One of Dr. Breslin's special passions has been to implement programs wherein teachers, administrators, and staff "mentor" students in their personal and spiritual development in the context of community.
In addition to his role as assistant superintendent, Dr. Breslin serves on the board of Academic Opportunities in America (an organization that recruits and sends students from Asia and Europe to partner with schools in the US). He is president of the Hampton Roads Association of Christian Schools and has been a guest speaker at Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, Harvard University and Ohio Wesleyan.
Upon accepting the appointment Dr. Breslin says "My family and I are honored and humbled to be able to join the Jupiter Christian School family. We are thankful to our current school, Greenbrier Christian Academy, and Superintendent Ron White for their unwavering support and encouragement of us as we embark on this new adventure. At the same time, we are excited to establish roots in south Florida and join a community that is clearly on an upward trajectory. I look forward to using all I have learned and experienced to positively impact the JCS community for Christ, and to continue the transformative work done by Dan Steinfield and all who have been associated with the school throughout its 56 year history."
Dave Breslin grew up in Mountain Lakes, NJ and comes from a family of five boys. Dave and his wife Kristen (an elementary teacher and graduate of Longwood University) have been married almost 14 years and have a son Luke (11), a rising 6th grader, and daughter Kayleigh (9), a rising 4th grader. They have been active members in Southern Baptist and non-denominational churches and are currently members at Liberty Church Live, a multi-campus mega church in the Hampton Roads area. The Breslins will be moving to Jupiter/Palm Beach County as Dave assumes the role of president, beginning July 1. Dave will be visiting campus a number of times before then for extended periods to meet with the community and work with Dan Steinfield in ensuring a smooth and seamless transition of leadership. Please join in welcoming Dave and Kristen and Luke and Kayleigh to our community.
Faithfully in Jesus, Joseph A. Kloba, Ed. D. Chairman, JCS Board of Directors |