Ms. Yannakakis brings with her knowledge, experience, energy, vision and leadership to the Head of School position. A teacher and champion of progressive education, Grace comes to Tidewater with seventeen years of educational experience, most recently as Head of the Lower School at the Calverton School. She has been the Assistant Head of School at Green Hedges School, an independent school offering Montessori Preschool and traditional education for grades 1-8 in Virginia, and has worked with students through high school age. She earned her Master of Education degree from the prestigious Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership at Columbia University.

Grace's other academic credentials include a graduate certificate in nonprofit management and a Master of Arts in French Language and Literature. In addition to her passion for education, Ms. Yannakakis enjoys a wide variety of activities including gardening, cooking, reading and running. She is a board member and coach for Girls on the Run of the Greater Chesapeake, a youth development program for girls that combines self-empowerment and self-esteem building with training for a 5K race. She lives in Calvert County with her husband, David, and three daughters, ages 14, 11, and 4.

Grace is looking forward to taking on her new responsibilities and building upon the significant accomplishments of our first 25 years. We appreciate your support during this time of transition, and we are confident that Ms. Yannakakis will be an outstanding Head of School. We are equally sure that you will find her to be a warm and engaging person who will dedicate herself to our students and to Tidewater's unique philosophy.

Dorothy D. Rader,
Board President