Stacey K. Sotirhos, Ph.D., P'26, P'27
10th Head of Rye Country Day School

Dr. Stacey Sotirhos began serving as Interim Head of School of Rye Country Day School on July 1, 2026. A respected educator and accomplished school leader, Dr. Sotirhos is known for her thoughtful leadership, collaborative approach, and unwavering commitment to students. Throughout her career, she has built strong, trusting relationships with faculty, families, and students while fostering a culture of high expectations, clear communication, and educational excellence.

During her five years as Lower School Principal at Rye Country Day, Dr. Sotirhos provided steadfast leadership marked by clarity, compassion, and pedagogical integrity. In addition to overseeing the daily life of the Lower School, she played an integral role in advancing school-wide initiatives, including strategic planning, accreditation, curriculum development, and leadership searches. Her ability to balance thoughtful long-term vision with effective day-to-day leadership has earned the confidence and respect of the entire school community.

Before joining Rye Country Day, Dr. Sotirhos served as Associate Division Head of the Lower Division at Avenues: The World School in New York City. There, she oversaw interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning in the school's dual-language English/Spanish and English/Mandarin programs while leading initiatives focused on data-informed instruction, targeted student support, and faculty development.

Dr. Sotirhos began her career as an elementary classroom teacher in New York City, designing rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in strong partnerships with families. She spent 20 years with the NYC Department of Education as a Staff Developer and Instructional Specialist, supporting teachers and school leaders across the city. She also served as a consultant with Generation Ready, partnering with school districts to strengthen instructional practice and improve student outcomes. 

In addition to her work in Pre-K-12 education, Dr. Sotirhos taught graduate and undergraduate students at New York University for five years, preparing future educators and educational leaders.

A graduate of Miss Hall's School, Dr. Sotirhos earned a Bachelor of Arts from Rollins College, a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and a Ph.D. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from New York University.

In addition to her outstanding leadership tenure as a division principal, Dr. Sotirhos brings the perspective of an RCDS parent to her work—she is the proud mother of two Wildcats (Class of 2026 and Class of 2027).