Dr Jeff Terwin
Wellington Head of School
Dr. Jeff Terwin is the head of school at Wellington, an independent, coeducational, preschool-through-grade 12, college-preparatory day school. From his first job helping his grandfather refinish the floors of school gymnasiums to now leading an education revolution focused on student autonomy, Dr. Terwin has dedicated his life’s work to creating transformative learning experiences for students of all ages.
He first discovered the power of making connections and building community as a resident assistant at Michigan State University, where he was also named Spartan of the Year for his academic achievement and service. After spending time working in labs and researching marine life during his doctorate program at the University of Maryland, Dr. Terwin found teaching to be far more fulfilling.
In 2012, Dr. Terwin moved to Columbus to become Wellington’s head of upper school because it was a place that valued innovation, creativity, and placing students at the center of the learning experience. He was equally drawn to the city itself as a vibrant, dynamic, and growing community with vast potential for synergy with student independent research.
Allowing students to create their own educational narrative is central to the work Dr. Terwin has done and guides Wellington’s agile approach to teaching children how to think, not what to think. Future-focused and committed to unrestrained thought and collaboration, Wellington has achieved record-breaking enrollment under Dr. Terwin’s leadership.