JobfitMatters Executive Search and Annapolis Area Christian School (AACS) in Severn, MD are pleased to announce that Chad Dirkse has accepted the offer to become AACS’ next Head of School starting July 1, 2023.
Chad Dirkse is currently serving in his 14th year as the President of Chattanooga Christian School (CCS). Prior to his time at CCS, Chad served 5 years as the Superintendent of Westminster Christian School in Elgin, Illinois. In addition to his head of school roles, he has served vocationally in Christian schooling as a middle school and high school teacher and principal, as well as an athletic director and high school basketball and soccer coach. Chad is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE) where he serves schools across the country primarily through board governance and school operating support, as well as strategic planning. He is an ordained ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of America.
After an extensive national search process with multiple rounds of interviews, the Board unanimously selected Chad as the next leader of AACS. “Chad has the heart for God and leadership skills that closely align with what I believe we need as a community in the future. He will build upon our past successes, propelling us forward as we continue to strive to be the best version of ourselves,” shared Mike Edmonds, President of the AACS Board of Directors.
Chad holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Covenant College and an MBA with a specialization in School Leadership from LeTourneau University. Chad has been married to his wife Heather for 29 years and they have three children. They are members at Northshore Fellowship where Heather serves as the Women’s Ministry and Curriculum Coordinator. They enjoy the hospitality, the outdoors, Premier League Soccer, and an active lifestyle.
Laura Coverstone and Ed Poff of JobfitMatters assisted the AACS Search Committee. Board Chair Mike Edmonds expressed, “Our work with JFM was an exceptional experience. Their support helped us throughout the search process: getting to know us & our community, developing the opportunity profile and critical leadership benchmarks, recruiting the candidates, narrowing the candidate pool, shaping the interview process, communicating with the candidates, and facilitating the final selection process. They made themselves available at any time as we navigated one of the most critical decisions a Christian school board makes. I would highly recommend them to anyone.”