Noel Carmichael

LAKE PLACID — Northwood School announces the promotion of Noel Carmichael to Dean of Curriculum Design and Faculty Development. The new position has been created to head a multi-year process to fully implement the new Northwood academic philosophy, ensuring that it is comprehensive, and results in tangible and sustainable improvements.

Carmichael will oversee curriculum changes and faculty development focused on developing students to be independent learners with the skills needed for the jobs of the future. This process will include a thorough analysis and commitment to not just the written curriculum but also the taught curriculum, allowing Northwood teachers to become industry leaders and innovators in the classroom.

“The strength of any institution is determined by its ability to maintain its integrity and vitality for those it serves,” states Michael Maher, Head of School. “As an institution that has thrived for 115 years, Northwood School has necessarily understood the need to evolve and we are excited to have Nol lead us in this area.”

This past academic year, the Academic Philosophy Implementation Committee has worked to ensure that the new programming at Northwood aligns with the philosophical goal of providing more experiential learning inside and outside of the classroom as an integral part of the Northwood experience. In addition to the already announced programming, the 2020-2021 academic year will see a formal restructuring within the newly formed Humanities department. Across all classes at Northwood, greater emphasis will be placed on student agency and reflection and all changes made to the new Northwood curriculum will be informed by research-based best practices for teaching and learning. A core emphasis will be on student-led and inquiry-based approaches with an explicit connection to the greater world and its relevance to students’ lives.

“I am excited and honored to be able to lead Northwood through this process of continually improving the education we provide to our students,” states Ms. Carmichael.