San Francisco, California, United States
Jeremy Birk is a strategic and visionary leader with over 20 years of expertise in early childhood, K-12, and adult education. Jeremy has successfully founded schools and educational programs, overseen multi-site school networks, and guided individual schools and organizations through visioning, strategic planning, resource optimization, technology implementation, program development, and licensing/accreditation processes. He is a trusted, diligent, and thoughtful leader with a track record of fostering collaboration and respect, enhancing operational efficiency, championing equity, diversity, and belonging, and improving learning impact. Jeremy is the Director of School Services for Wellington College International, a growing network of premier, non-profit schools across Asia. In his role, he leads major, network-wide strategic initiatives and provides comprehensive support for school improvement and innovation efforts for all schools in China. Before joining Wellington College International, Jeremy was Executive Vice President for Spring Education Group (SEG), a for-profit, multi-brand network with 220+ private schools spanning Preschool to Grade 12 across the United States and internationally. In his role, he led the development and execution of the academic vision and strategy for a portfolio of thirty schools and the highest-value brand within SEG. His leadership was pivotal in driving educational and operational transformations, ensuring the attainment of exceptional academic and financial results. Additionally, Jeremy was Director of Innovation and Research at the United Nations International School (UNIS) in New York City. Operating under the auspices and aligned with the mission and principles of the United Nations, UNIS is a singular school globally known for its exceptional cultural richness and global learning community, representing over 95 spoken languages and 130 nationalities. Throughout his career, Jeremy has worked on five continents as a teacher, consultant, leader, and school network executive in diverse programs and private schools in China, the United States, Switzerland, Kenya, Rwanda, and Colombia. Jeremy's academic qualifications include an M.Ed. in Education Leadership from Columbia University (New York), an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Buffalo State College, and a B.A. in History and English from the University of Michigan.
Wellington College International is a global network of premium, non-profit schools across the United Kingdom, China, India, and Thailand. It currently educates 6,500 students, and two new schools are set to open in Indonesia and the United States in the next two years. Lead The Bridge (internal consultancy unit), driving network-wide strategic priorities and providing comprehensive support for innovation, professional learning, and continuous improvement across all schools in China.
Led the holistic academic vision and strategy while ensuring operational excellence for a group of 30 Preschool to Grade 12 schools in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area with 9000 students, 900 teachers, 150 teacher leaders, and 70 campus principals. This group of schools was the highest-value brand within SEG. Joined SEG during a period of substantial growth and actively supported a series of mergers and acquisitions, which integrated Stratford Schools, Nobel Learning Communities, BASIS Independent Schools, and LePort Montessori Schools. Led critical functions for the network, including vision setting, strategic planning, academic operations, new school development, educational technology, program renewal, professional learning, and school accreditation—directly supported network expansion by opening seven new schools and onboarding and rebranding two acquired schools.
Designed the academic program and launched a new, coeducational middle and high school (Grades 5-12). This campus marked a significant milestone as the first high school within the Stratford Schools network and the most significant single project investment made by SEG. Achieved exceptional enrollment and retention results, attracting 360 new students in the first two years of operation, surpassing enrollment targets, and generating a recurring revenue increase of $11M.
Served as a thought partner and consultant for this global project using crowd-sourced momentum to build a fresh vision for schools.
Under the auspices of and aligned with the mission and principles of the United Nations, UNIS is a singular school globally distinguished by its exceptional cultural richness and global learning community, representing over 95 spoken languages and 130 nationalities. UNIS is the second-largest independent school in NYC and a founding school of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. Guided the school’s PK-12 academic and professional learning programs for three divisions and two campuses with 1600 students and 300 teachers. Served as the lead author of the Campus Master Plan for the Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and consulting architectural firm that secured over $15M in gifts. Presented at project development meetings attended by UN Ambassadors, Honorary Trustees, the Board of Directors, parents, and other valuable partners and friends of the school. Successfully guided the school through a rigorous reaccreditation process with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme.
Directed all aspects of academic programs and operations for the high school with 450 students and 85 teachers. Assumed responsibility for division operations, program and curriculum leadership, student guidance, and teacher hiring, evaluation, and development. Secured the prestigious EE Ford Educational Leadership Grant to support the Human Rights Project, an immersive summer institute empowering high school students to utilize photography and storytelling as powerful social justice and advocacy tools. Developed and maintained partnerships with notable organizations and companies such as the International Research Collaborative, 4.0 Schools, Quirky, Macgarrybowen, and Knewton.
Co-authored the academic vision and provided strategic counsel to the Board of Directors for a groundbreaking new school uniquely characterized by its "Montessori mindset and IB backbone." Launched successfully in 2014, the school rapidly reached full capacity within just four years, showcasing its strong appeal and exceptional educational model.