Friends' Central is thrilled to announce that Lee Payton will join the Friends’ Central community as our Upper School Principal on July 1, 2022. Interim Head of School Beth D. Johnson said, "During my years as Lee’s colleague, I knew him to be thoughtful and kind, a trusted colleague, an exceptional teacher, and a person who could be counted upon to build community."

 

Currently the Assistant Director of the Upper School at William Penn Charter School where he has been working for over 20 years, Lee is a seasoned teacher, advisor, coach, and administrator. He began his career teaching social studies/history at Penn Charter and has since served in many roles: Upper School Social Studies teacher and Department Chair, Director of the College Prep program and Quakerism teacher. In addition to his work at Penn Charter, Lee has served on the boards of the Friends Council on Education and the School in Rose Valley. He is also a trainer for Lion’s Story, an organization that prepares individuals and organizations to identify and address issues around race.

 

Lee graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and earned a Masters in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Religious Society of Friends and a graduate of Friends Select, where he met his wife Karyn.

 

During his visit to Friends’ Central, Lee met with students, parents, faculty and staff, administrators, the search committee, and Interim Head of School Beth Johnson. In each constituent meeting, Lee demonstrated his depth of knowledge, his understanding of Quaker values and process, his belief in building community, and his sense of humor and openness.

 

Lee shared, “I am so excited to join the Friends' Central community. The welcoming, vibrant, and collaborative nature of the school was palpable from the moment I stepped onto the campus. I particularly enjoyed my dialogue with students. Friends' Central's simple and inspiring mission and vision, ‘to cultivate the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical promise of our students; to awaken courage and intellect – and peacefully transform the world,’ resonates with me on a deep level as a Quaker educator. It imbues our work with the purpose and vibrancy which will equip our students to face the challenges of today and tomorrow. I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead the Upper School, and I look forward to joining Friends' Central's committed educators and amazing students.”