The Rivers School Appoints Meredith Lorber as Assistant Head of Middle School

The assistant head of Middle School position was created as part of Rivers’ ongoing commitment to strengthening the student experience, supporting faculty, and ensuring coherence across programs, systems, and divisions. The role will also join the Academic Leadership Team, which provides oversight to the academic program across grades 6-12, ensuring cohesion between divisions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Meredith to the Rivers community,” said Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem. “Her experience, warmth, and vision for middle school education will be invaluable as we advance the initiatives articulated in our strategic plan.”

Meredith currently teaches mathematics and serves as eighth-grade class dean at Milton Academy, where she designs and implements curricula, leads weekly team meetings and assemblies, and oversees the creation of middle school schedules and rosters. Her work reflects a rare blend of instructional expertise, operational acumen, and a deep understanding of adolescent development.

Prior to her time at Milton, Meredith served at The Wheeler School in Providence, RI, as a middle school math teacher and class dean and spent eight years at Blue School in New York City, where she played a foundational role in designing and launching the middle school. As director of middle school teaching and learning, she led professional development, collaborated on curriculum design across disciplines, built systems and structures to support students and teachers, and coordinated key components of the school’s academic and community programming. Her earlier career in the NYC Department of Education, which included teaching high school mathematics, laid the foundation for her commitment to inclusive, student‑centered teaching and learning.

Meredith said that Rivers struck her as “a place that cares deeply about children and strives to create an environment in which students are able to explore new ideas, take risks, and learn about themselves and the world around them.” As a self-described “middle school enthusiast,” she brings a philosophy of teaching grounded in curiosity and discovery that aligns well with the school’s philosophy of Excellence with Humanity.

The search attracted an exceptionally strong pool of more than 90 candidates from across the country and included experienced educators and leaders with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and expertise. Members of the search advisory committee included Special Assistant to the Head of School Jim Long; faculty members Walker Anderson, Sam Vandergrift, and Sarah Heffrin; and Director of Learning Services Jennifer Litman. Their insights, care, and collaboration ensured a search that was both rigorous and deeply aligned with the school’s mission and core values. 

“What excites me most about Meredith joining the Rivers community is her proven ability to connect people and ideas,” said Head of Middle School John Bower. “Our faculty will feel her impact right away, both as a trusted thought partner and as someone who listens with intention and helps colleagues carry their ideas from possibility to fruition.“