New High School Head Announcement

March 16, 2026

Dear IDEAL Community:

We are deeply grateful to the students, families, faculty and staff members, and trustees who interviewed and shared feedback on our six candidates for High School Head. We are pleased to inform you that Rachael Joe has accepted the role and will begin on July 1, 2026. When Miss Joe visited our school earlier this year, she connected with students, families, and staff. She is an experienced manager and a passionate educator, and we can’t wait to see what she brings to IDEAL.

Miss Joe’s experience is vast, having taught in the classroom at all levels, beginning in Mississippi and Louisiana and continuing in New York City. She has worked in a Montessori school, public schools, with parents, taught Spanish, and as an assistant principal before her most recent position as Associate Head of Campus at The Wichendon School NYC. Miss Joe has extensive knowledge of instructional design and pedagogy, with expertise in curriculum mapping, lesson differentiation, and social-emotional learning. She believes deeply in tailoring instruction to individual strengths while fostering restorative, connected school communities. 

Originally from New Jersey, Miss Joe spent her formative years in Louisiana, where a deep appreciation for inclusivity, resilience, and community helped shape her path in education. Miss Joe was drawn to IDEAL for its commitment to inclusion, individualized learning, and emotional safety. In her leadership, she has worked to cultivate school cultures where students are known, valued, and challenged to grow, and where educators are supported in delivering responsive, student-centered instruction. She is excited to continue that work at IDEAL and partner with faculty, students, and families to lead a High School community where compassion, rigor, and creativity come together to support every learner holistically. In her personal time, Miss Joe enjoys traveling, spirited game nights, and exploring new corners of Harlem, where she lives. 

After spring break, Miss Joe will begin spending one day a week getting to know the various stakeholders and to learn more about our students and curriculum. 

We hope you will join us in giving Miss Joe a warm welcome when she begins her work this summer.

Thank you,
Janet Wolfe, Head of School
Tara Slinn, Director of Learning Support
The IDEAL School of Manhattan