Head Of School Search

Dear Members of the FASPS Community,

With deep gratitude and a spirit of anticipation, we write to share important news about the future of the French American School of Puget Sound and the search for our next Head of School.

We begin by extending our heartfelt thanks to Eric Thuau for his outstanding leadership and service to FASPS. Under his thoughtful guidance, our school has continued to flourish. We are fortunate that Eric will remain as Head of School through the 2025–2026 School year, ensuring stability as we now begin the search for his successor. Please know that we will not miss a beat on our strategic initiatives as we head into the schoolyear. The board is deeply involved in the Permanent Home Project, and the project is on track.

The search process begins immediately and is designed to be inclusive, transparent, and reflective of our community’s values. To lead this important work, we have engaged Educators Collaborative (EC), a respected firm with a long track record of successful Head of School searches. 

While the Search Committee is still being finalized, I am delighted to announce that Alan (AG) Lambert and Yannick Riveti have agreed to serve as Co-Chairs for the Search Committee. AG is the father of three FASPS alumni (Ben - 22, Lauren - 19 and Coco - 16) and has served on the board for 10 years. Yannick is in his second year on the board and is the father of Mathéo, currently in kindergarten, who attended FASPS for YPK and PK, and will return to FASPS in March.

We are pleased to share that our search will be led by two EC Partners who know FASPS well:
  • Joan Beauregard, former FASPS Board Member and former Head of several local independent schools, and a veteran consultant who has led more than 60 searches for comparable schools, and
  • Lisa Lyle, former Director of Zurich International School and Head of Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day, who began her career as a French teacher. 
Their bios and CVs can be found here.

On 10 September, Joan and Lisa will be on campus for meetings with faculty, staff, parents, and school leaders. Additional sessions will take place online for those unable to attend in person. A schedule for these meetings will be shared shortly. These conversations will deepen their understanding of FASPS and inform the Leadership Profile that will guide their recruitment of qualified candidates. Applications for the position will be accepted through October 3.

We anticipate that finalist candidates will visit our campuses in mid-November, at which point community members will again have the opportunity to engage and provide input.

Throughout the process, we are committed to keeping the community informed. A dedicated section of our website will provide regular updates, archived communications, and important announcements regarding the search. You will have the opportunity to sign up for notifications when new information is shared. 
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful participation and support as we embark on this exciting journey together.

Warmly,

Julien Hervet
Chair of Board of Trustees of FASPS
boardchair@fasps.org

    • Educators Collaborative

      Screenshot 2025-09-03 at 4.07.09 PM

A Letter from Julien Hervet - FASPS Board Chair


Dear FASPS Community,
 
We want to update you about our Head of School, Eric Thuau.  As we had communicated with you late last month, Eric was approached and was one of three finalists for the Head of School position at the International School of San Francisco (ISSF).
 
Eric was offered this position and has accepted it.  His selection as Head of School at ISSF is a testament to his FASPS leadership and the high standards of our school.
 
Eric has been a highly valued leader of our school for the past 15 years, and we truly wish him nothing but the best in this new role in San Francisco.   Eric will remain as our Head of School for one more school year, leaving FASPS in Summer 2026. 


In anticipation of this situation, the Board has been evaluating recruiting firms, with the goal of beginning a search for our new Head of School in July 2025.
 
As a board and a community, we want to thank Eric for his extraordinary work and commitment to FASPS over the past 15 years.  We know we will always remain in close contact with Eric as our French American School community is a very close one.  
 
Our school will continue on its successful path built on strong leadership, talented and dedicated teachers, and proud parents and students who embody our mission to challenge students to excel academically and thrive in French, American and International cultures. 
 
For years, the Board has been working to build a permanent home to ensure the quality education and experiences of the French American School of Puget Sound are carried on for both current and future generations. 

We are on a strong path to make our permanent home a reality and we thank you for your continued support, dedication, and strength in helping us achieve this important project.
 



Please let me know if you have any thoughts or questions.



Sincerely,

Julien Hervet
Chair of Board of Trustees of FASPS
boardchair@fasps.org

A Letter from Eric Thuau - FASPS Head Of School


Dear FASPS Community -
 
It is with a full heart and deep gratitude that I share with you my decision to step down as Head of School at FASPS, effective July 1, 2026. After 15 years of unwavering commitment to our mission, vision, values, and most importantly, our extraordinary community, this decision was not made lightly.
 
FASPS has been more than a school to me. It has been a home, a source of inspiration, and a place where I have grown both personally and professionally. It is also where my two daughters, Emma (23) and Julie (21), learned to become citizens of the world, and I could not be a happier or more grateful dad for the education they received at FASPS. I am profoundly thankful for all that we have accomplished together and for the exciting work that still lies ahead in the 2025–2026 school year. I remain fully committed to our transformational projects and will work diligently to ensure a smooth and successful transition with my successor.
I was not actively seeking a new opportunity when I was approached by the search consultant for the Head of School position at the International School of San Francisco (ISSF).
 
Throughout my 21 years of headship in the United States, ISSF has always stood out to me as a school with a compelling mission and values, a deep commitment to equity and sustainable development, a vibrant and diverse community, and an entrepreneurial spirit, all qualities that resonate deeply with what we have built at FASPS.
 
During the interview process, I found myself constantly speaking about FASPS, bragging really, about our exceptional faculty and staff, our visionary and highly effective Board, our dedicated and supportive parents, and, of course, our incredible students who make our work so meaningful. My appointment at ISSF would not have been possible without everything I have learned from each of you and all that we have built together since 2010. THANK YOU! MERCI !!!
 
This decision comes with a heavy heart. I will miss FASPS dearly, but I take comfort in knowing that San Francisco is not far, and I will continue to support the school in any way I can. I am confident that many highly qualified candidates from around the world will be eager to apply for the Head of School position. FASPS is well known and respected within the network of over 600 accredited French international schools. In fact, I have already been contacted by several fellow heads expressing interest and admiration for our school, and I know that whoever is chosen will find at FASPS the same incredible warmth that I have been raving about for all these years.
 
Thank you for your understanding, your support, and for making FASPS the remarkable place it is. I wish you all a wonderful summer, and I look forward to an exceptional final year together. FASPS will continue to thrive and grow, becoming an even better place year after year.
 
With heartfelt gratitude,

Eric Thuau
FASPS Head Of School

    • Julien Hervet

      Screenshot 2025-09-18 at 7.16.17 PM

    • Eric Thuau 2024 Headshot

      Thuau, Eric

Information for Candidates (IFC) Document

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

  • Why is FASPS looking for a new HOS?

    As you know, our HOS Eric Thuau will move to San Francisco during the summer of 2026 to start his new position as Head of the San Francisco International School.  FASPS has evolved over his 17 years here, but the school’s values and mission remain unchanged.  We will miss Eric, however, the Board and search committee are committed to finding a successor who will preserve the magic that makes FASPS a unique and special school.

  • What role will the Board of Trustees play in the search process?

    The Board is responsible for hiring, supporting, and evaluating the Head of School. The Board has created a search committee that is made up of trustees.  The search committee members are deeply involved in the workings of the School and are committed to its success. 

  • How will the school select the right person to lead FASPS?

    Our search consultants are conducting a community survey and will visit the school for meetings with a wide range of constituents including students, parents, faculty and staff. This visit is scheduled to take place on 10 September. Using the information gathered from this process, the search committee and the EC consultants, will develop a position statement that articulates the opportunities and challenges that await the new Head of School, as well as the professional skills and personal characteristics most desirable and relevant to successfully lead FASPS.

  • Who will get to meet the candidates? Will people other than the search committee get to meet the candidates?

    Absolutely. Community input in this process is very important. The finalists – most likely 3 people – will be invited to campus in the fall and have an opportunity to meet with members of the FASPS community. Community members will, in turn, be asked to provide their confidential feedback via a survey.

  • FASPS is fortunate to have committed and dedicated professionals working at the school. Will any of these educators be considered?

    Individuals who have an interest in the Head’s role will be encouraged to apply for the position. All candidates will be considered and reviewed in the same manner in order to both maintain the integrity of the process and ensure we select the individual we believe to be best suited to be the next FASPS Head of School.

  • How long will the search process take?

    FASPS is committed to engage in a thoughtful and deliberate search over the next several months. We anticipate the following timeline:

    Position posted: August 2025

    Semifinalist interviews: Early November 2025

    Finalist visits: November/December  2025

    Appointment and Announcement: Mid-December 2025 or early January 2026  

    Start date: July 1, 2026

  • What is the scope of the Head of School search?

    We are conducting a national and international search. FASPS has a national and international reputation for excellence and we know there are many talented educational leaders who know about FASPS. In addition, FASPS is engaged in a very exciting project as it builds its permanent home and looks to move into it for the 2027 school year. We are thus confident that well qualified individuals will be very interested in applying for the HOS position.

  • What if I know someone who may be interested in the job?

    Interested candidates should contact our search consultants Joan Beauregard and/or Lisa Lyle of Educators Collaborative directly. We also invite members of the community to make referrals of appropriate candidates. Please contact Joan Beauregard or Lisa Lyle of Educators Collaborative directly to share names and contact information of potential candidates, and the firm will reach out directly to candidates confidentially.

  • What if I have additional questions?

    What if I have additional questions? 
    Please contact our search consultants Joan Beauregard or Lisa Lyle of Educators Collaborative directly. Or, feel free to email the Search Committee co-chairs, AG Lambert and Yannick Riveti directly for more information.

MERCER ISLAND
(Preschool, Elementary, Middle School)
3795 East Mercer Way
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 275-3533
info@fasps.org
SEATTLE – CAPITOL HILL
(Preschool Campus)
1823 East Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 644-8348
info@fasps.org
Privacy Policy
French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) is committed to protecting the privacy and integrity of your personal information. The school does not market, trade, or otherwise share applicants' personal information with any organization or reporting service unless noted below. The school will limit its use of contact information of applicants for these purposes only: Review of credentials provided by the applicant, communication with applicants, internal communication with hiring personnel, screening checks for applicants who are offered a position and accepted by the applicant, and internal recordkeeping. By giving us your information, you are agreeing to this privacy policy and giving us permission to use your information for the stated purposes.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The French American School of Puget Sound does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, financial aid programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs. This policy applies to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities, including applications and admissions, generally accorded or made available to students at the school.