Jay Fowler ’00 to Take Over as Director of Gilmour Academy’s Lower School and Montessori Programs

Gilmour Academy’s current Director of the Lower School and Montessori Programs Marc Haag announced his plans to retire at the end of this school year.

The school announced that Jay Fowler, who graduated from Gilmour in 2000, will take over as the new director of the Lower School and Montessori programs.

Fowler has taken on increased responsibility campuswide in recent years. In addition to his role as a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher, he has served as leader of the humanities academic team at the Lower School and, for the past two years, has served as the associate director of the Lower School. Outside of the Lower School, Fowler has taken on the responsibility of coordinating the school’s re-accreditation process with the Independent Schools of the Central States (ISACS), which involves overseeing the reporting from every department on campus. In addition, since the completion of Gilmour’s Strategic Plan, Fowler has led each of the subcommittees in executing their stated goals. 

Outside of the classroom, Fowler served as the head junior varsity boys basketball coach for eight years and, for the past 10 seasons, served as the varsity baseball coach. This past season, he led his team to the Division II state championship game, finishing as the state runner-up.

After the season ended, Fowler announced his plans to retire from coaching in order to spend more time with his family and to focus on his increased responsibilities as an educator and administrator at Gilmour. 

Fowler and his wife, Meagan, a 2006 Gilmour graduate and Gilmour’s director of student support services, have two children - James and Elouise.

Fowler brings 14 years of teaching experience, the past six of which have been at the Lower School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University in 2004, where he majored in education. More recently, he earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Notre Dame.

Gilmour’s Head of School Kathy Kenny said, “Jay is highly qualified, respected by his peers and students alike, and unfailing in his commitment to connecting with each of his students and providing them with an engaging and rigorous academic experience. His commitment to our Holy Cross mission and charisms is authentic and lived.” She continued, “I am excited about the future of the Lower School with Jay Fowler at the helm.”

Asked about his new position, Fowler responded, “From the moment I stepped on the campus of Gilmour Academy as a high school student in 1996, it has been my second home. The mission, faculty/staff and the community of Gilmour Academy have helped form me into the person I am today, and I am forever grateful.” He added, “I am humbled, honored and excited to take this next step in my journey as an educator and can't wait to help lead and support the Lower School, its families and the greater Gilmour community into the future!”
 
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An independent, Catholic, coed, day and boarding school in the Holy Cross tradition. Toddler-Grade 12.