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Marc F. Ott

Head of School, Leysin American School


Marc grew up in both Switzerland and the Middle East. After earning a Master's degree in teaching Business, Economics, Accounting, and Swiss Law from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, he moved to the United States to work for the Leysin American School (LAS) US Admissions Office. He later completed his Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Administration from Columbia University in New York City. Upon returning to Switzerland in 2005, Marc led the Admissions Department and, in August 2009, was appointed Head of School.


Marc is actively involved in several boards, including the Swiss Federation of Private Schools, the Association Vaudoise des Écoles Privées, the Aigle-Leysin-Col des Mosses Tourist Association, and the Leysin Political Party (PLR). He also served on the SGIS Board from 2017 to 2021.


Marc is married and has one child. His wife, Stephanie, is a doctor in Leysin. In his free time, Marc enjoys traveling, alpine sports, reading, and spending time with family and friends.


 

Board, Head of School, and Senior Leadership Team: an example of working effectively together


The relationship between the Board, particularly the Board Chair, and the Head of School is crucial for the short- and long-term success of any school, and consequently for the students and their families. The Head of School can often find themselves navigating between the demands of the Board and the needs and insights of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), which at times can be in conflict. However, when the Board, Head of School, and SLT work together effectively, the school operates smoothly in the short term and is well-positioned to develop and implement long-term strategies, all in the best interest of the students and their families.


This session will explore how the Board, Head of School, and SLT can collaborate most effectively, using the LAS Leadership Framework as an example. We will address key questions such as: Who is responsible for which areas? How do these entities interact with one another? The framework provides the "guardrails" for each role, helping the school function efficiently day-to-day while also guiding it towards a strategic future.


The session will present perspectives from both the Board (Jeff Paulson) and the Head of School (Marc Ott).




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