Neisha Payne Appointed Director of the Middle School

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Neisha Payne as our Director of the Middle School, effective immediately. 

A member of the Kent Place community since 2010, Ms. Payne was Middle School Dean of Students, working closely with the Middle School faculty, students, and families, from 2017 to 2022. During this time, she developed the current Advisory program, a hallmark of every student’s Middle School experience. Ms. Payne has also been a math teacher, Middle School Mathcounts coach, sixth-grade team leader, and Middle School curriculum leader. 

Since June, Ms. Payne has served as Interim Director of the Middle School. 

“Ms. Payne has a clear mission and vision for the division, is an expert on adolescent development in girls, displays effective leadership of faculty, and partners well with parents,” says Dr. Jennifer Galambos, Head of School. “In addition, the added benefits of knowing the Kent Place community well and being highly respected by the Middle School faculty and staff made her an exemplary candidate.”

Ms. Payne is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and holds a master’s degree in mathematics education from the City College of New York.

“I’m honored, grateful, and excited to have the opportunity to lead the division that has felt like my second home for the past 13 years,” Ms. Payne says. “I look forward to partnering with our parents and faculty as we look to continue to build a community of confident, competent, and connected learners.”

Under Ms. Payne’s enthusiastic and professional leadership, we are confident that the Middle School will continue to flourish. Her vision for developing confident, academically focused, and brave students will be an excellent guide for the Middle School community. 

Congratulations, Ms. Payne.