New Head of School Appointed
Fayetteville Academy’s Board of Trustees announced today the hiring of Norman “Blair” Fisher as the next Head of School beginning July 1, 2023.
Mr. Fisher comes to the Academy from St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, Ala. where he served as the Head of School. “I am honored that Fayetteville Academy is entrusting me to serve as Head of School,” Fisher said. “I will work to the utmost of my ability to reward that trust while partnering with all members of the community to ever better serve FA’s students.”
Mr. Fisher’s selection was the result of an extensive, three‐month, national search conducted by an 11‐member search committee and supported by Southern Teachers.
Dr. Joshua Barkman, chairman of FA’s Board of Trustees expressed gratitude for the work of the Search Committee and Southern Teachers. “We laud all who were involved for their commitment and dedication to the integrity of the search process,” Barkman said.
Fisher has nearly three decades of experience in independent school education as a teacher, Middle School Dean of Students, Middle School Head and Head of School. He most recently led St. Paul’s Episcopal School, a Pre-K to 12th grade school with 1,250 students and 185 faculty and staff members, where he more than doubled the school’s endowment while creating a highly successful planned giving program. Additionally, he oversaw over $10 million of campus improvements and increased school diversity by over 50 percent.
Prior to his tenure at St. Paul’s, Fisher was the head of school at Charlotte Preparatory School. He also served as the head of middle school and dean of students at The Walker School in Marietta, GA. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from George Mason University before receiving two Master’s of Education degrees from George Mason University and Kennesaw State University.
Fisher’s family has deep ties to Fayetteville, and he is the son of a military veteran as well as serving in the Army himself. He is excited about the future of Fayetteville Academy and leading the school in a shared vision. “During my six years in the military and twenty-eight years as an educator, I have learned that the success of any organization or community depends on two foundational factors: having talented people in key leadership positions and the creation and maintenance of a culture where stakeholders – whatever their background, identity, or worldview – coalesce around a shared vision and common set of values,” Fisher said.
Fisher takes over in July for Mr. Ray Quesnel who has served as the Academy’s head of school for the past 11 years. “The Board of Trustees wishes to communicate their continuing support of Ray Quesnel, our current head of school, and to thank Ray, along with his wife Wendy, for their service to Fayetteville Academy,” Barkman said.