Head of School Bio

Georgia S. Zaiser, P '12, P '16,  was appointed 15th Head of School at Far Hills Country Day School (FH) in July 2020.

Georgia received a B.A. in History from Dickinson College in 1990 and an M.S. in Education from Dowling College in 1992. She began her career at Far Hills in 1995. Over the last 29 years, she has served as a teacher in both the Lower and Upper Schools and ascended through a variety of leadership roles, including Department Chair, Faculty Mentor, Division Director, and  Assistant Head of School. Did you know that Georgia is also a certified Ropes Course Belay Trainer here on campus?

In early 2020, Georgia was named Acting Head of School just before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2020–21 school year, Far Hills remained open for in-person learning longer than any other school in Central New Jersey. In July 2020, Georgia was appointed the 15th Head of School at Far Hills Country Day School. Under her leadership, Far Hills has successfully launched a new verbal identity that inspired a fresh creative platform and exceeded the Annual Fund goal by $61,000. She has also overseen significant improvements to the campus, including new science labs, a state-of-the-art STEAM maker space, cutting-edge technology, and enhanced security measures.

Georgia's nearly 30-year history with Far Hills Country Day School is an invaluable asset that helps us maintain traditions and generational bonds while evolving and innovating in thoughtful and exciting directions. Georgia is a caring and engaging leader who clearly and enthusiastically shares her vision for the future with the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff. We are a better institution because of her joy, positivity, and community engagement, and I am grateful to have the privilege of working with Georgia as she enhances the lives of all of our students.

Joe Ferraro, P'27, '29 Chairman of the Board of Trustees

In 2018, Georgia attended the Science of Teaching and Learning Academy: MBE at the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning at St. Andrew's Episcopal School. She was instrumental in paving the educational neuroscience professional development track for Far Hills faculty. In February of 2021, Far Hills became the first Preschool–Grade 8 school in the country to become Level I credentialed by the CTTL in MBE Science.

Georgia has participated in advanced leadership programs, including the NJAIS Leadership Institute and The Heads Network Leadership Seminar, which champions leadership roles for women. She has presented to peers on numerous topics, including character development and mission skills, student assessments, and history, for organizations such as the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), the Educational Records Bureau (ERB), and the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS). Notably, she presented "The Power of a Positive Message" alongside Melissa DePino, Principal at the Leapfrog Group, at the CASE-NAIS Independent School Conference. Additionally, Georgia is a member of the Delbarton Board of Regents, is on the NJAIS Accreditation Committee, and is on the faculty for the NJAIS Institute for Advancing Female-Identifying Leadership in Education. 

Married to Robert (Bob) Zaiser for 31 years, Georgia and Bob have two sons, Christopher and Andrew, who are proud alumni of Far Hills Country Day School.