Meet Odyssey's Interim Head of School
Join us in welcoming Laurie TerBeek into her new role as Interim Head of School.
Laurie has been an integral part of the Odyssey community for the past 12 years, serving as our school's Director of Development and Advancement. A familiar and trusted presence, she is deeply connected to our community and embodies the mission and culture that define Odyssey. We are confident that she will continue to be a steadfast champion for our faculty and students as she steps into this new role.
Laurie holds a B.S. in Communications from Boston University and an Ed.M. from Harvard University. She lives in Towson with her husband, their two sons, and their dog, Hattie.
Read on to learn more about Laurie, including her favorite Odyssey tradition, what she's looking forward to this year, and more.
What is your favorite Odyssey tradition and why?
This is a tough one because our school year is filled with so many fun traditions that are uniquely Odyssey! If I had to choose one, I’d go with Fall Into Reading. While we’re all about building fluency, Fall Into Reading is also about building a passion for reading and about the love of literacy that comes from understanding books on a deeper level. Each year's theme presents new opportunities for us to host a true celebration of reading in our signature vibrant and creative way.
What are you most looking forward to this school year as Interim Head of School?
Over the past 12 years at Odyssey, I've had the opportunity to see the transformation of so many students as they flourish, build confidence and competence, and come to understand exactly who they are as learners. I have a profound appreciation for what makes Odyssey so special, and the tremendous impact an Odyssey education has on our students and their families. In this role, I'm most excited to deepen my support of every part of our school community in a new way—providing steady leadership, supporting our incredible teachers, and keeping our focus on helping every student build the toolkit they need to succeed at Odyssey and beyond.
What do you hope every student and family feels when they walk through our doors?
Odyssey is a school intentionally built to look like a home. And like a home, I hope everyone who enters feels known, welcomed, and understood, and experiences a deep sense of belonging.
What's something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a total sucker for an underdog story, especially in the form of a good sports movie. If there’s an intense training sequence, I’m in.
Finish this sentence: "What begins here changes everything because..."
Everyone under the roof is on the same team, and everyone wants everyone to succeed. When you are surrounded by people who believe in you, you can't help but believe in yourself.