Nov. 28, 2001 – Good Hope School will have a new head starting July 1, 2002.
On Wednesday, the school's board of trustees named James E. DiSebastian to fill the position on a permanent basis.
"After an international search and thorough interview process, Jim DiSebastian emerged as the clear choice," board chair Elizabeth Armstrong said. "He brings intellect, energy, experience, talent and wit to our fine school."
Jim Cantwell has been serving as the St. Croix private school's interim head for the last year, having replaced Tanya Nichols, who served 25 years with Good Hope. Cantwell is seeking a position on the mainland so he can be near his family.
For the last seven years, DiSebastian has been headmaster at Bilkent University Preparatory School in Ankara, Turkey. He previously held administrative and teaching jobs at international schools in such locations as London, Madrid, Israel and Honduras. "He really thrives in culturally diverse locations," Cantwell said. "He impressed me as a person not going to get rattled by island living."
A Philadelphia native, DiSebastian began his career in nearby Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as a teacher and administrator at Camden Catholic High School. He has a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's University, where he graduated summa cum laude, and a master's degree in German language and literature from Temple University. He also is an accomplished singer. He and his wife, Patricia, have two grown children.
Good Hope School has about 400 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12.
