Schools & Candidates

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About Us

At DovetailED, we craft a perfect fit between the multi-faceted hiring needs of independent schools and the limitless talents of prospective teachers, administrators, and school leaders. 

Tailor-made Service

At DovetailED, there are no initiation fees, annual memberships, or search commissions.  We have a three-phased fee structure.  

Learn about our tailor-made service and five tiers of searches.

Notes of Gratitude

  • In a boarding school environment where we are trying to find a faculty member that can support various responsibilities for the school, DovetailED was able to find candidates who could fill those needs for us.

    Jessica MacLeod | Dean of Faculty
    New Hampton School

  • DovetailED ran an extremely efficient and effective search for us during the summer months, a time that often proves difficult when a relocation is involved. Their streamlined approach was just what we needed.

    Erica Howard | Dean of Students
    Sewanee

  • Partnering with DovetailED was a breath of fresh air! It is amazing to get answers to our emails in less than 24 hours—that is unprecedented. DovetailED knows we are not looking for quantity, but for quality.

    Liane Faermann | Human Resource Director
    Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

  • DovetailED understands this calculus better than anyone in the business. They allow for honest and open conversations, resulting in a match for all parties involved and stayed with us through contract negotiation.

    Chris Bartlett | Director of Enrollment/Advancement
    Proctor Academy

  • DovetailED helped us hire a fantastic teacher who is a great fit for us, but who we would never have known was out there if it weren't for them.

    Pete Bonds | Associate Head of School
    The Kiski School

  • DovetailED treated us like we were the only client they were working with, although we knew we weren't. The candidates were top notch, not just “resumes” but actual candidates who wanted to be considered.

    Danielle Nordyke | Human Resource Director
    Mercersburg Academy

  • DovetailED is the equivalent of having your own "head hunter" for all of your searches! Their ability to source candidates who may not be in traditional job searches has really helped us.

    Kimberly Zaidberg | Head of School
    Seattle Country Day School

  • They were incredibly responsive, had excellent follow through, and worked to be a bridge between applicants and the school. I’m so pleased with the quality of the candidate pool generated.

    Kristy Kerin | Head of School
    Brewster Academy

  • Zack is a force of nature. He only presents candidates he feels confident will meet job expectations, and he is honest and gives good direction. Zack makes the process both enjoyable and edifying.

    Penny Townsend | Head of School
    Kings Academy

  • DovetailED did an excellent job helping us gather strong candidates and coached us well regarding process and pacing. Their video approach for the first interview cut was helpful for the search committee.

    Jennifer Zaccara | Head of School
    Vermont Academy

  • DovetailED found teachers who matched our unique teaching and coaching needs, were excited to learn about our school, and interested in living in our area. It was such a relief.

    Stefan Eady | Dean of Faculty
    Darlington School

  • DovetailED proved to be an exceptional resource. In addition to identifying talented candidates, they provided invaluable context for their interest in each role. Zack was incredibly accessible, understanding, and supportive.

    Liz Willis | Head of School
    Villa Academy

  • I have been impressed with the attentiveness of all of those at DovetailED and the speed in which they help schools in a search. DovetailED provides the right amount of support and follow-up.

    Megan Harlan | Head of School
    Fountain Valley School

  • The team at DovetailED listened closely to our needs and delivered an exceptional pool of initial candidates. Their high integrity starting point made our hiring process much easier and enjoyable.

    Alli Williams | Head of School
    The Pilot School

  • DovetailED has demonstrated an ability to quickly identify quality candidates whose experience and skillsets match our school's specific needs, and who represent a match for our particular school culture.

    Gregor Makechnie | Director of Athletics
    Proctor Academy

  • We used DovetailED for a challenging search for a Director of DEIB. Zack was realistic about the challenge but also optimistic about his ability to deliver—and he did! We had strong candidates very quickly.

    Chris Hughes | Head of School
    Garrison Forest School

  • After a trusted colleague suggested DovetailED, I knew I needed to work with this firm. They helped me build multiple teams that will help support the institutions I work for. I’m very grateful for their partnership!

    Catherine Stines | Associate Head of School
    Westover School

  • DovetailED provides well-vetted candidates. The applicants fit our school profile and the unique needs of the positions we need to fill. Their follow-up and forward thinking make the partnership highly valued.

    Carol Dougherty | Associate Head of School
    Perkiomen School

  • DovetailED did a great job finding interesting and qualified candidates for our CFO search at a non-traditional time of the year. Zack's constant communication gave me the confidence we would land a great candidate.

    Jim Hamilton | Head of School
    Berwick Academy

  • DovetailED offered a service, expertise, and price point exactly in line with our needs. Our first engagement went so well, we immediately hired them for two other searches. I highly recommend them!

    Josh Clark | Head of School
    Landmark School

  • I found DovetailED passionate and aggressive in seeking out and connecting with highly qualified candidates for our senior administrative opening. Their hands-on style allowed me to wait for skilled resumes to find their way to me.

    Ed Ellison | Head of School
    Cape Fear Academy

  • The whole experience of working with DovetailED was exceptional. I felt as though I was getting a high level of service at a price I could afford. I enthusiastically recommend their services!

    Chris Ryan | Head of School
    Millwood School

  • The DovetailED team has been an invaluable partner in our search for teachers and administrative personnel. Their tailored approach allowed us to find candidates who are highly qualified and a perfect fit for our school.

    Ryan Kelly | Head of School
    Colorado Springs School

  • Finding ourselves in need of a teacher/dorm parent in August, my first thought was to reach out to DovetailED. The team is on point, responsive, and professional. They quickly found us candidates.

    Greg Martin | Dean of Faculty
    Vermont Academy

  • We had the pleasure of working with DovetailED during our recent hiring process. They demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and a deep understanding of our specific needs. Thanks to their efforts, we brought exceptional educators into our team.

    Elizabeth Fox | Human Resource Director
    Oxbridge Academy

  • Grateful to have someone I can confidently turn to when presented with an unexpected departure.

    Karl Welsh | Director of Development
    Perkiomen School

  • DovetailED made the hiring process quite easy and stress free! Finding a teacher in late summer, two weeks before school begins, is daunting. I appreciated the position description, candidate bios, and the follow-up each step of the way.

    Susan Marotta | Head of Lower School
    Montgomery School

  • In a sector filled with tremendous search options, I've been delighted to find DovetailED, a group that takes a unique approach to find a tailored candidate pool.

    Andy Delinsky | Head of School
    The Peck School

  • The team at DovetailED truly partnered with us and worked hard to find a replacement on a short timeline. Their responsiveness allowed us to feel confident in the process and their efforts.

    Bodo Heiliger | Head of School
    International School of Portland

  • DovetailED has been a great partner for us in our hiring. DovetailED's process, communication, and consistent ability to identify and deliver outstanding candidates means we will continue to work with them in the future.

    Gabe Burnstein | Head of School
    Charles River School

  • The ability to hand off the search to gather candidates literally lifted the burden immediately.

    Robyn Stearne | Head of School
    New School Montessori

  • DovetailED came to the rescue after our initial attempts at filling a position had stalled. They helped build a qualified pipeline of candidates in a short period and supercharged our search.

    Bryan DeMarco | Head of Development
    National Cathedral School

  • DovetailED was a game changer for our search!

    Colette Kleitz | Chief Advancement Officer
    Friends Central School

  • We were honored to partner with DovetailED for our search to find a new Director of Safety & Security. They demonstrated exceptional expertise, showcasing a deep understanding of the unique needs of K-12 independent schools.

    C.J. Remmo | Director of Campus Operations
    Oregon Episcopal School

  • At Shattuck-St. Mary's, working with DovetailED has been a personalized experience. Zack and team have done a great job finding candidates who are looking for a community like ours, despite our challenging location.

    Matthew Cavellier | Head of School
    Shattuck-St. Mary’s School

  • From the first moment I spoke with DovetailED about Brookstone School's needs, I believed we had found the right consultant. They proactively anticipated challenges, responded quickly, and offered valuable counsel during the search process.

    Henry Heil | Head of School
    Brookstone School

  • DovetailED is great to work with and finds outstanding candidates, especially local candidates that otherwise may not have been introduced to the search. This is invaluable, especially in a time where housing is an impediment to placement.

    Peter Kraft | Head of School
    Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School

  • DovetailED impressed us with how quickly they started our search and brought us qualified candidates. Their system was easy to navigate and kept us organized. Our recruiter advised us and answered our questions throughout.

    Joe Smolskis | Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations
    National Cathedral School

  • DovetailED introduced us to a pool of outstanding candidates, ultimately allowing us to identify an exceptional leader for our school. We are grateful for their partnership and highly recommend DovetailED to any institution seeking top-tier talent.

    Randall Dunn | Head of School
    Rye Country Day School

  • DovetailED was a terrific partner in identifying a diverse pool of candidates for our Director of Admission position. Attentive and responsive, the team provided exceptional service in this competitive job market.

    Andy Chappell | Head of School
    The Derryfield School

  • I have worked with DovetailED on another administrative search and was so pleased with the outcome that I came back again. The team has evolved over the last couple of years, and the care and professionalism is first rate.

    Matthew Nespole | Head of School
    The Key School