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MEET MS. HIGHT

When incoming Head of Lower School Brooke Hight joins the Pace Academy faculty in July 2025, she will bring nearly two decades of experience in education to her role. Ms. Hight began her career as a first-grade teacher and has since taught across all elementary school grades, developing a comprehensive understanding of the academic and developmental needs of young learners. From classroom teaching and training teachers to mentoring novice faculty, mastering Orton-Gillingham methods and managing preschool programs, her expertise is both broad and deep. Most importantly, she demonstrates a profound love for the children and families in her care. 

Ms. Hight currently serves as the director of the Anne & Jim Kenan Preschool at the Atlanta Speech School. Her resume includes 11 years at The Westminster Schools, where she concluded her tenure as the director of teaching and learning for students in Pre-First through second grade, as well as five years at The Lovett School. An Atlanta native, Ms. Hight began her professional journey at Fowler Drive Elementary School in Athens, Ga., and is a double graduate of the University of Georgia—she earned a bachelor’s in early childhood education and a master’s in children’s literature. 

Brooke Hight

Ms. Brooke Hight

“Brooke’s unique qualifications, her thoughtful and innovative approach to early childhood education, her focus on the individual child, and her ability to partner with parents in creating prepared, confident citizens of the world make her a wonderful fit,” says Head of School Fred Assaf. “With Brooke’s guidance and the dedication and expertise of our Lower School leadership team, our students, faculty, staff, parents and caregivers are truly in excellent hands. I’m thrilled that she will play a key role on our administrative team.”

Ms. Hight is equally excited to join the Pace administration, though she is already deeply rooted in the Pace community as the proud parent of Beau Hight, a member of the Class of 2036. “Two years ago, when I was looking at schools for Beau, Pace really blew me away,” she says. “The Isdell Center for Global Leadership is second to none, and I truly value Pace’s unequivocal stance on equity and inclusion. I care about people and love supporting them toward success, so I am thrilled to join my professional voice with my parental lens and to add to the school’s bright future. I hope that I can use my experience to enhance all of the great work that is already happening in the Kam Memar Lower School. I believe strongly in the power of a healthy culture, and I plan to perpetuate just that to our students, faculty and families.”

She and Beau love spending time with their family, which includes proud Pace grandparents Kay and John Hight, and Ms. Hight’s sister, Blair, who lives with her family in London. 

During the hiring process, Brooke exhibited so much passion and love for students, for learning and for mentoring and developing others. She is a unique candidate who has an understanding of Pace’s mission, culture and people—and who truly focuses on the whole child. Pace Academy Trustee

Her Personal Statement

“I have always loved school. Education defines a major part of who I am as a person. Making substantive contributions to and having an impact on the academic, social-emotional and overall growth of children is at the heart of what keeps me excited as a lead learner each day. I am endlessly amused by the things children say and constantly in awe of how incredibly capable they are. Working with teachers motivates me as we partner to create innovative learning experiences. I am ecstatic about bringing my rich background in early childhood education, gifts of collaboration, passion for community building and thirst for innovation to support the mission and values of Pace Academy.

“During my time in leadership, I have found a love for inspiring and motivating the adult learners in the building, while maintaining close ties to the children, for that is what nourishes my heart. It has been quite rewarding to help teachers grow in their practice and help them to turn new ideas into reality. Throughout my time as an administrator, I have grown in my ability to lead teams of teachers through organizing professional development experiences, encouraging their ideas, and guiding them on their journeys to being the best teachers they can be. My priority of being a visible leader has instilled a sense of trust and dependability in my teaching teams. I strongly believe that when our teachers are seen and their contributions are known and acknowledged, they feel valued, supported and appreciated. The resulting positive culture benefits us all.

“As an educator, I have admired the impact that Pace Academy has had on the community at the Kenan Preschool. However, after becoming a Knight parent, I truly understand the magic of my son’s school. When I enrolled Beau two years ago, I witnessed firsthand the benefits of a program that prepares ‘confident citizens of the world.’ I marvel at his joyful anticipation of the discoveries each day holds. I am in awe of his exploding vocabulary, and I treasure the empathy and relationship ties that draw him into the Pace community. I am excited to experience it through the lens of a professional collaborator, a parent and, aspirationally, as a leader.”

Her Favorite Things

  • Travel: Through a sabbatical grant, Brooke traveled to Australia and New Zealand where she visited schools and explored the countries’ educational systems. “I have never seen beauty like that before,” she says.
     
  • All things Atlanta: Festivals, concerts, shows at the Fox and sporting events fill her calendar. “I grew up going to Hawks and Braves games with my dad,” she reports. “Now I get to share these experiences with my son.”
     
  • Mrs. Robinson, her fifth-grade teacher: “I remember her turning our classroom into a covered wagon as we studied Westward Expansion. Those types of hands-on learning experiences really stuck with me. I always felt seen in her classroom. She knew me and celebrated the space I held within our classroom community.”
  • A good book: Historical fiction tops her list. And, with a master’s in children’s literature, her shelves are filled with the classics. “Robert Munsch’s I’ll Love You Forever is my sentimental favorite, and in the classroom, my young writers would use the beautiful word choices of authors like Cynthia Rylant or humor and illustration like Mo Willems to enhance their writing. I’m now delving into the world of graphic novels with my son. We are thoroughly enjoying the Dog Man and Cat Kid Comic Club series, and it will be a special moment when I read the Harry Potter series with Beau.”
     
  • A great meal: She loves salmon, fresh veggies and any lemon-flavored dessert—but hold the onions, please.

Education

  • University of Georgia - Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Magna Cum Laude
  • University of Georgia - Master’s in Education in Children’s Literature, Summa Cum Laude 
  • Orton-Gillingham Training - The Schenck School

Leadership & Teaching

ATLANTA SPEECH SCHOOL, 2022-present

  • Director, Anne & Jim Kenan Preschool
  • Leader, Leadership Cohort

THE WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS, 2010-2022

  • Director of Teaching and Learning, Pre-First through Second Grade 
  • Lower School Admissions Committee 
  • Instructional Coach 
  • Fourth-Grade Teacher
  • Co-Leader of K-12 Mentoring Program 
  • First-Grade Teacher 

THE LOVETT SCHOOL, 2005-2010

  • Fifth-Grade Teacher 
  • Second-Grade Teacher 
  • Mentor Manager 

FOWLER DRIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Athens, Ga., 2003-2005

  • First-Grade Teacher

Honors

  • Klingenstein Summer Institute Grant, Columbia University
  • William A. Parker Exceptional Service Award for collegiality and professionalism, The Westminster Schools
  • Judy Marine Colleague Award for going the extra mile in an unassuming way, The Westminster Schools
  • Building Moments Scholarship, JE Dunn Construction Company
  • Sabbatical Grant for study in Australia, The Westminster Schools

Research & Presentation Topics

  • K-12 mentoring programs 
  • Integrating nonfiction reading and writing in the early childhood classroom
  • Implementing student course feedback in elementary school 
  • Implementing the Reader’s Workshop framework, Words Their Way word study program and other literacy initiatives
  • Assessment and conferring in workshop teaching
  • Creating Transparency-Making the Learning Visible 
  • Using iPads in the early childhood classroom
  • The Art of Coaching Teams