About

School Leadership

John D. Fixx, Head of School

A 35-year veteran of independent school leadership, John Fixx came to The Country School in July 2013 from Chase Collegiate in Waterbury, where he served as Headmaster for 10 years. 

Before being named Head of School in July 2014, John served The Country School for one year as Assistant Head of School for Development and External Relations, overseeing advancement initiatives; raising funds for capital improvements, annual giving, endowment, and scholarship support; and galvanizing all segments of the community, from students and teachers to parents, alumni, and the broader educational and business sectors.

John's arrival at The Country School in July 2013 marked a homecoming of sorts; in the mid- to-late 1990s, he served The Country School as Assistant Headmaster, Middle School Director, and English teacher. He also started the school's cross country team.
In 1998, John left TCS to become Headmaster at The Lexington School, a PreK-8th Grade school in Lexington, KY. From there, he went on to lead Chase, where he oversaw two major capital campaigns — one for $13.3 million and one for $15.1 million — and nearly quadrupled the endowment to almost $12 million, guided the school through a name change, and oversaw major construction and renovation projects.

John received his BA in English and American Literature from Wesleyan University and his MBA, with a concentration in non-profit organizations, from the University of Connecticut. During his three decades in independent schools, he has also served as Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Westminster School (Simsbury, CT) and Bancroft School (Worcester, MA) and as Director of Admission and External Affairs at the Hoosac School (Hoosick, NY). He has served as Trustee and Chair for the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools and as Chair of the Board of Directors of the New Haven Ballet.

In addition to serving as Head of School, John coaches The Country School's highly competitive interscholastic cross country team and the popular intramural running program for younger athletes, the Flying Owlets. In 2016, John became a published author, writing The Curious Guide to Things That Aren't, a children's book based on a few short chapters initially started by his late father, the author Jim Fixx, when John was a young child. John lives in Madison with his wife, Liza.

Educational Leadership Team

List of 11 members.

  • Photo of Jeanette Brooks

    Jeanette Brooks 

    Director of Development
  • Photo of Karen Cunningham

    Ms. Karen Cunningham 

    Chief Financial Officer
    (203) 421-3113
  • Photo of Pamela Glasser

    Mrs. Pamela Glasser 

    Director of Admission
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  • Photo of Jennifer Hornyak

    Mrs. Jennifer Hornyak 

    Lower School Director, Reading Specialist
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  • Photo of Stephanie Johnson

    Mrs. Stephanie Johnson 

    Middle School Director, Science
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  • Photo of Joseph LaMacchia

    Mr. Joseph LaMacchia 

    Director of Technology; Director of Security and Safety
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  • Photo of Elizabeth Lightfoot

    Ms. Elizabeth Lightfoot 

    Alumni Relations and Outreach Coordinator
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  • Photo of Will McDonough

    Mr. Will McDonough 

    Director of Community Engagement; English; History
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  • Photo of Keith Smith

    Mr. Keith Smith 

    Instrumental Music; Director of DEIB; Young Musicians Program Coordinator
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  • Photo of Teresa Sullivan

    Mrs. Teresa Sullivan 

    Director of Communications
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  • Photo of Jason Wainio

    Mr. Jason Wainio 

    Middle School Director, Latin
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Board of Trustees

List of 21 items.

  • Melissa Hill

    Chair
  • Tim Smith

    Vice Chair
  • Dr. Felicia Cuomo

    Secretary
  • Deirdre Devaney Scott

    Treasurer and Finance Chair
  • Charles Robertson ’01

    Committee On Trustees Chair
  • John Fixx

    Head of School
  • Kevin Alford

    Trustee
  • Matthew Callahan

    Trustee
  • Mateusz Cieslak

    Trustee
  • Richard Colbert

    Trustee
  • Micaela Darling

    Trustee
  • Nat Follansbee

    Trustee
  • Stephanie Johnson

    Faculty Representative
  • Tom Main

    Institutional Advancement Chair
  • Matthew Murphy '98

    Trustee
  • Helise Owens

    Trustee
  • Dr. Eileen Reach

    Trustee
  • Dr. Howard Rogers

    Program Committee Chair
  • Christine Wang

    Trustee
  • Dr. Wendol Williams, Sr.

    Building and Grounds Chair
  • Charles Zane ’12

    Trustee
341 Opening Hill Road, Madison, CT 06443
P. 203-421-3113  |  F. 203-421-4390  |  Health Office F. 860-469-2550
Founded in 1955, The Country School is a coeducational, independent school serving students in PreSchool-Grade 8. The Country School is committed to active, hands-on learning and a vigorous curriculum that engages the whole child.