Appointments: New ISABC Executive Director Elizabeth Moore Taps Into Strengths of Collaboration and Openness

Appointments: Elizabeth Moore Taps Into ISABC’s Strengths of Collaboration and Openness

Christl Dabu

Find out the latest news about staff appointments in the independent school community in Dialogue Online’s new column. Contact us about your school’s news at editor@ourkids.net

From South Africa to B.C., Elizabeth Moore has been an education leader in diverse environments with the mission of strengthening schools.

Moore replaced the newly retired Robin Hinnell as the executive director of the Independent Schools Association of British Columbia (ISABC) on Aug. 1.

“My goal is to develop the association’s mission to advocate for and to strengthen its member schools,” she says in an interview with Dialogue Online. “In particular, I will be looking to establish further opportunities for collaboration, networking and support, as well as developing professional development opportunities.”

Appointments: Elizabeth Moore Taps Into ISABC's Strengths of Collaboration and Openness

Elizabeth Moore is the new executive director of ISABC.

In her new role so far, she has spent the past few months visiting all the ISABC member schools.

“It has been a real privilege to experience first-hand the diversity of schools available to parents, and to glean an understanding of the exceptional educational provision in the ISABC schools,” says Moore, whose doctoral research examined the implementation of assessment for learning across a school and the management of change. “There is a real openness and willingness of teachers to share their expertise and to learn from other colleagues, which is the real strength of the association.”

Moore previously served as head of Choice School for gifted elementary school students in Vancouver; deputy head of Hertfordshire and Essex High School, a large high-achieving girls’ school in Hertfordshire, UK; and head of the Davenant Foundation School’s senior school in Essex, UK. Her career began in Cape Town, South Africa, where she led a successful cross-country team and debating and forum discussion club at Bergliet High School.

Driven by Doing ‘Your Best Through Truth and Courage’

Robin Hinnell retired this August after 44 years in education.

After 44 years working in education, Hinnell, Moore’s predecessor, is “enjoying the spontaneity in life” found upon retirement.

What will he most miss about his years in education? “The buzz of the work week: the atmosphere generated by outstanding educators committed to their profession and focused on working collegially for the benefit of young people,” he says.

Hinnell’s most professionally rewarding accomplishments include serving as the founding head of Brockton School in North Vancouver (now an IB World School) and working as the first full time executive director of the ISABC.

As for his advice for schools and educators, he lists several: “Focus on creating opportunities and outcomes for students–the preparation for global citizenship piece. Challenge students to move beyond their comfort zone–the personal growth aspect. Manage carefully a critical balance between changes in the profession driven by new research in education and decision-making based on the wisdom of experience. Adopt the Glenlyon Norfolk School motto as part of the driver in your life: ‘Do your best through truth and courage.’”