We’re pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has unanimously appointed Kerry Dorton as Interim Head of School for a two-year term, beginning August 4, 2025.
Kerry Dorton (’83, P ’12)
Interim Head of School
Kerry is well known to our community and across the wider Montessori professional field, having spent 24 years at WMS. She began as a classroom teacher, helped lead the Middle School during a time of transition, and later served as Director of Education. After a brief hiatus, she returned to continue in that leadership role through 2022, providing steady academic guidance during several pivotal moments in the school’s evolution.
During her tenure, she played a vital role in shaping the school’s educational programming, mentoring teachers, and advancing its commitment to Montessori values across all levels. She was known for her remarkable ability to meet students exactly where they were, forging connections that sparked curiosity and confidence, and for the thoughtful guidance she offered to parents navigating their child’s learning journey.
After her time at WMS, Kerry expanded her Montessori perspective by engaging with schools around the world. She consulted with a school serving Syrian refugee students in Azraq, Jordan, and with a school connected to a children’s home outside Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She also spent time at a program supporting multiple single-classroom schools in the townships surrounding Cape Town, South Africa. These experiences deepened her global understanding of education that follows the child, affirming the power of Montessori principles across diverse settings.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and has a deep fluency in Montessori pedagogy, a collaborative leadership style, and a strong commitment to student-centered learning. Most recently, she has been teaching and co-leading a fifth-grade bridge program at St. Michael’s Country Day School, where she continues to emphasize developmental learning, curriculum innovation, and student well-being.
In addition to her professional experience, Kerry is a WMS alumna (Class of 1983) and a WMS parent (Class of 2012). She is also the daughter of current Acting Head and longtime WMS Head of School Pat Werner. While her connection to WMS runs deep, Kerry’s qualifications stand entirely on their own and reflect a career dedicated to educational excellence and to leading in ways that center the needs of children.
She is a third-generation educator who brings a consistent focus on mastery and developmental learning, whether she is leading teachers, designing curriculum, or working directly with students. With this foundation and her strong Montessori background, Kerry is well prepared to guide the school through the upcoming Connecticut Association of Independent Schools re-accreditation and to strengthen the systems, culture, and daily operations that support our mission.
Kerry’s appointment follows a thoughtful and focused process led by a board subcommittee, informed by input from school staff, governance experts, several search consultants, and the wider education community.
