At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we believe that inspired leadership fuels inspired learning. We are proud to celebrate our Associate Head of Upper School (grades 6–12, Ms. Jennifer Dickens, who has been recognized as one of The Rising Star Women Leaders in Education for 2025 by Women We Admire. This national recognition celebrates women shaping the future of education through innovation, collaboration, and vision—qualities Ms. Dickens embodies every day at our NYC private school.

Ms. Dickens joined our school community as a history teacher, where she quickly distinguished herself not only for her dynamic classroom instruction but for her unwavering commitment to students’ growth and well-being. As she moved into administrative leadership, she carried with her a deep understanding of what it means to be both an educator and a mentor.

“I am so proud that Ms. Dickens’ leadership is not only being recognized internally, but externally,” said Ms. LaNette Hodge, Head of School. “She has a rare gift for inspiring those around her to be their very best, whether they are students in her classroom or colleagues across our campus.”

Her impact is evident in every corner of our school. Whether she is leading professional development sessions on effective classroom management inspired by Teach Like a Champion, organizing icebreakers to build camaraderie among faculty, or simply recognizing a teacher’s effort with a thoughtful shout-out or a surprise treat in the staff lounge, Ms. Dickens has created a culture where every member of our community feels valued and supported.

Ms. Friederike Williams, Dean of Students for our Upper School and a longtime colleague of Ms. Dickens, shared:

“I had the privilege of teaching alongside Ms. Dickens, and I believe she made me a better teacher. I benefited from her expertise and insight while she was my teacher mentor, especially by acquiring new methods for lesson planning structure. She also showed me how reflection on this process would help me find the best way to present content for my students.”

Ms. Dickens is not only a leader in her field but also an innovator. In November, she will attend a national education conference and present her insights in a session, “From Chalkboards to Chatbots: Rethinking AI in Middle Level Education.” Her work explores how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to empower students, personalize learning, and prepare young people for a world that is rapidly evolving.

This award from Women We Admire reinforces what our community already knows: that Ms. Dickens is a dedicated and visionary leader. She reminds us that true leadership is not about titles or accolades—it is about showing up for others, listening with empathy, and never losing sight of why we do this work in the first place.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Dickens on this well-deserved honor. We are excited to watch her continue to lead, inspire, and redefine what is possible in education.