Senior School Administrator

Dawn
Brews

Strategic & Operational Leadership · PreK–12

26
Years in Education
14
Years Senior Leadership
5
Countries
Dawn Brews

Profile

About Dawn

Mission-driven and deeply experienced, Dawn Brews brings 26 years in education and 14 years in senior leadership to every school community she serves. She is equally prepared to step into a Head of School role and to serve as a trusted strategic and operational partner to sitting Heads and senior leadership teams.

Dawn is known for strengthening systems, advancing schoolwide priorities, and building the kind of joyful, student-centered cultures that inspire both faculty and families. Her work spans independent schools in the United States, Malaysia, China, and Hong Kong — bringing a genuinely global perspective to curriculum, community, and institutional health.

Her deepest commitments are to equity, whole-child development, and the long-term sustainability of the schools she leads. She approaches every challenge with clarity, warmth, and a bias toward action.

Accreditations

  • CAIS · CIS · WASC
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • IB PYP Authorization

School Communities

  • Santa Barbara, California
  • Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
  • Shanghai, China
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Hong Kong

Areas of Focus

  • Science of Reading / Structured Literacy
  • SEL & Neurodiversity
  • UDL · MTSS · PBIS
  • Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Career

Professional Experience

2022 – Present

Head of Lower School & Co-Director of Professional Development (K–8)

Crane Country Day School · Santa Barbara, California

  • Senior leadership partner to the Head of School: strategic planning, cross-divisional alignment, early childhood program development
  • Designed comprehensive systems for professional development, evaluation, and curriculum review
  • Strengthened structured literacy practices aligned with the Science of Reading (IMSE, The Writing Revolution, 95% Group)
  • Led school-wide SEL and neurodiversity initiatives; consulted on development of a Learning Lab model
  • Partnered with admissions and advancement to sustain full Lower School enrollment

2021 – 2022

Acting Head of School (K–8) & Assistant Head (K–5)

Moravian Academy · Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

  • Strengthened K–8 Spanish Immersion program; embedded UDL practices across divisions
  • Unified lower and middle schools into a cohesive culture
  • Directed strategic planning and virtual learning initiatives during COVID-era transitions
  • Partnered with advancement and trustees to support fundraising and family engagement

2020 – 2021

Lower School Principal (PK–5)

Shanghai Community International School · Shanghai, China

  • Led within a multilingual, multicultural community; strengthened inclusive systems and accreditation readiness
  • Co-launched an inclusive Learning Support Academy integrating MTSS, UDL, and PBIS
  • Led IB PYP authorization during institutional transition

2016 – 2020

Elementary Assistant Principal & PYP Coordinator

Mont’Kiara International School · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

  • Led successful IB PYP authorization through a two-year transformation
  • Designed and led professional learning for faculty, parents, and students
  • Chaired Student Support Services; strengthened referral processes for diverse learners

Earlier Career

Select School Leadership & Teaching Roles

Renaissance College · Hong Kong  |  Hong Kong International School

  • Led school-wide literacy improvement across an 11-school network (Renaissance College, 2010–2013)
  • Launched St. Baldrick’s Foundation initiatives, raising $100,000 for pediatric cancer research (HKIS, 2002–2008)

What I Bring

Core Leadership Strengths

01

Strategic Execution

Cross-divisional alignment, board partnership, and translating vision into durable operational systems.

02

Instructional Leadership

Curriculum innovation in literacy, math, and experiential learning — grounded in research and responsive to students.

03

Faculty Development

Coaching, mentoring, and professional learning systems that invest in teacher growth and instructional coherence.

04

Student Support Systems

Whole-child development, MTSS frameworks, neurodiversity, and inclusive learning environments.

05

Enrollment & Community

School storytelling, mission alignment, and community trust-building that sustain strong enrollment.

06

Equity & Belonging

Deep commitment to culturally responsive practice, inclusion, and school cultures where every student thrives.

Credentials

Education & Certifications

Degrees

M.Ed., Educational Leadership

American College of Education · 2013

M.Ed., Elementary Education

University of Phoenix · 2008

B.S., Psychology

Nova University · 1992

Certificates & Licenses

Universal Design for LearningHarvard · 2024
Leading Equity in EducationHarvard · 2020
Dual Language EducationCAL · 2018
Illinois Teaching & Administrative LicenseActive

Get in Touch

Contact

Dawn welcomes conversations about future opportunities and collaboration.

Thank you for reaching out — Dawn will be in touch with you shortly.