Head Of School Search

Welcome To Our Next Head of School: Barbara Martin


Dear FASPS Community - 

Leading a Head of School search is one of the most important missions entrusted into a Board of Trustees.

The Search Committee ran a comprehensive global search, identifying exceptional candidates, and nominating a leader informed by the collective insight of Trustees, parents/guardians, faculty, staff, and students.

I had the privilege of serving on the Search Committee and witnessed firsthand the time, care, and wisdom each member invested in the process. Please join me in thanking the members of the Committee—A.G. Lambert and Yannick Riveti (Co-Chairs), Peter Igel, Shelly Irvine, and Anne-Christine Poncelet.

We are equally grateful to the many faculty, staff, parents, students, and alumni who participated in listening sessions, attended finalist visits, and shared invaluable feedback. Your engagement ensured that this decision reflects the hopes and aspirations of the FASPS community.

The Search began with nearly 30 applicants, narrowed to nine high-potential candidates, then to five semi-finalists, and ultimately to three finalists. 

At every stage, candidates were evaluated on experience, references, and the extent to which their leadership aligned with FASPS’s long-term priorities.

Those priorities included the desire for:
  • A Visionary Strategist, able to lead international schools through growth—expansion, fundraising, and capital projects—while shaping a bold future vision;
     
  • An Inspirational Franco-American Leader, credible in both French and American contexts and able to champion a bilingual and bicultural mission;
     
  • A Student-Centered Educator, committed to academic excellence, student well-being, talent cultivation, and cultural agility;
     
  • A Collaborative, Authentic Communicator, who listens deeply, builds trust, respects faculty, and communicates with clarity while remaining decisive;
     
  • A Committed Community Builder, dedicated to long-term engagement, resilient through transition, and invested in sustaining the school’s warm, global community.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Barbara Martin as the next Head of School of the French American School of Puget Sound, effective July 1, 2026.

Barbara, currently the Head of School at the Lycée Français de Toronto, will succeed Mr. Eric Thuau at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.
Following extensive deliberation, Barbara emerged as the clear first choice of both the Search Committee and the Board of Trustees and was unanimously approved by the Board. 

Feedback from all constituent groups—students, employees, and families—consistently emphasized her deep alignment with FASPS’s mission, bilingual identity, and values. 

While Barbara demonstrates significant strengths across each of these areas, the Board was particularly impressed by her strategic vision and authentic, transparent communication style. She brings a proven record of leading international schools through growth and change—expanding programs, guiding capital initiatives, and advancing institutional priorities with both rigor and imagination. She is prepared not only to bring current initiatives to completion, but also to help define a bold and future-focused vision for FASPS.

As a communicator, Barbara is described as strong, confident, and deeply relational. She listens attentively, respects faculty voices, builds trust across constituencies, and balances decisiveness with humility. Her ability to unite people around shared goals and keep students at the center of decision-making resonated with every group that met with her. Together, her strategic acumen and her authentic leadership style make her an exceptional match for this moment in FASPS’s evolution.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to Eric Thuau for his steady leadership during this period of transition, and to the FASPS administrative team and staff for their behind-the-scenes work in hosting candidate visits. Finally, we thank our consultants, Joan Beauregard and Lisa Lyle of Educators Collaborative, for their thoughtful guidance throughout each phase of the search.

We are thrilled that Barbara shares our enthusiasm for FASPS and looks forward to joining our community. In the coming months, we will share additional information about opportunities to meet Barbara and support a smooth and successful transition.

Sincerely, Bien cordialement,
Julien Hervet
Chair of Board of Trustees of FASPS
LETTER TO THE FASPS COMMUNITY
Barbara Martin, Head of School elect
 
Dear FASPS Community,
 
It is with immense joy, deep gratitude, and genuine excitement that I write to you today. Being invited to serve as the next Head of School of FASPS is a tremendous honor, and I am profoundly moved to be joining a community so vibrant, so thoughtful, and so full of promise for the future.
 
From my very first conversations with FASPS, I sensed a school that knows exactly who it is and what it stands for: a place where striving for one’s best feels natural, where integrity shapes relationships, where cultural openness is lived every day, and where community is warm, inclusive, and genuinely connected. It became clear to me that this is a school where children engage deeply in learning while also developing a strong sense of confidence, curiosity, empathy, and perspective, a school that helps them understand the world and their place within it.
 
What struck me most is the way FASPS nurtures its students academically, with a commitment to excellence grounded in high standards, a strong bilingual foundation, and genuine care, and also in confidence, curiosity, empathy, and perspective. This attention to students’ well-being is reflected in many thoughtful details across the school, including the comforting presence of June, who supports students in moments when reassurance, calm, or connection can make a meaningful difference.
 
I have always believed that a school’s purpose is to broaden the horizons of young people, helping them become thoughtful and grounded individuals who are ready for the next chapters of their academic and personal journeys.
 
I come to you as a leader who believes deeply in people, in children, in teachers, in families, and in teams. My leadership is anchored in empathy, trust, collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose. I believe in schools where every student is known, every staff member is valued, and every family feels part of a meaningful and uplifting community.
 
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Search Committee, the Board of Trustees and to Educator Collaborative for their thoughtful and rigorous work, and for the trust and confidence they have shown in me throughout this process.
 
I would also like to acknowledge and thank Eric Thuau for his leadership and dedication to FASPS. I look forward to working closely with him to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition for our community.
 
I look forward to meeting each of you, to listening carefully, to learning your traditions, and to spending time on both the Mercer Island and Capitol Hill campuses, getting to know each community’s strengths, traditions, and unique spirit, and to building together the next chapter of FASPS, including contributing to the long-term vision of establishing a permanent home for the school, a project that holds deep meaning for this community.
 
FASPS is a school with an extraordinary soul.
I am truly honored to become part of it.
 
Thank you for your trust.
Thank you for welcoming me.
And thank you, already, for the journey we will begin together.
 
I cannot wait to meet you.
Warm regards,
Barbara Martin
Head of School Elect
Head of School Search - December Update

Dear FASPS Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Head of School Search Committee, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your engagement throughout the finalist phase of our search for a new Head of School. 
Over the past several weeks, we had the privilege of welcoming three outstanding candidates to campus. During their visits, each finalist met with faculty, staff, students, families, and trustees, and we were deeply appreciative of the warm welcome our community extended.
We also want to thank the many of you who took the time to attend sessions, share your reflections, and complete the feedback surveys. Your insights have been invaluable in helping the Search Committee understand how each candidate aligns with FASPS’s mission, values, and aspirations for the years ahead.
With the finalist visits now complete, the Search Committee will submit its recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Over the next week, the Board will carefully review the committee’s recommendation along with all community input as part of its deliberation process. The Board will then finalize the appointment of our next Head of School, and we anticipate sharing an announcement with the full community near the start of the new year.
Thank you again for your thoughtful participation, your support of this process, and your ongoing dedication to our school. FASPS is strengthened by the engagement of our community, and we look forward to the exciting next steps ahead.
Warm regards,
A.G. Lambert & Yannick Riveti
Co-Chairs, Head of School Search Committee
French American School of Puget Sound

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Head of School Search Update: Finalist Visits Ahead

Dear FASPS Community,

On behalf of the Search Committee, we are pleased to share an exciting update on the Head of School search process. Following several months of active recruitment and careful review of a strong pool of national and international candidates, the Committee has completed its semi-finalist interviews and has invited three exceptional finalists to visit campus over the next couple of weeks. The first finalist candidate will be on campus next Monday, November 10th, and Tuesday, November 11th.

We are energized by the caliber and diversity of the candidates who emerged through this process and deeply appreciative of the engagement, insight, and enthusiasm the FASPS community has shared along the way. Your participation has been instrumental in shaping the leadership profile and informing the Committee’s deliberations.

As we move into the finalist phase, we encourage all members of the FASPS community to take part in the on-campus opportunities to meet the candidates. Approximately 24 hours before each finalist’s visit, you will receive a message introducing that candidate, including a short biography and a link to a confidential feedback survey where you can share your impressions following your interactions. We are deliberately not introducing all three candidates at once since we want you to give your impressions of each relative to our needs for a next Head of School, and not relative to each other. 

Please remember that we have attracted a truly impressive group of finalists. During their visits, each candidate will be assessing FASPS just as we are getting to know them. Our shared responsibility is to offer a warm welcome and help each finalist gain a genuine sense of what it means to be part of the FASPS community, even as we gather our own insights into how they might lead within it.

The Search Committee remains on track to conclude its work and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees prior to winter break and we expect to make an announcement to the school community after the first of the new year. 

Thank you again for your partnership and continued support as we take this important next step in selecting the next Head of School for FASPS.

Warm regards,
AG Lambert and Yannick Riveti
Co-Chairs, FASPS Head of School Search Committee

    • FASPS horizon logo

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
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