WILDWOOD NAMES ITS NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL
August, 2007

Beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, Wildwood Christian Academy will have a new Head of School.  Lyn Cates, formerly with The Westminster Schools in Atlanta and currently serving on the Wildwood faculty and as Curriculum Director, will succeed Nancy Hammer as Wildwood’s Head of School.  Nancy Hammer, Wildwood Christian Academy’s founding headmaster, announced her retirement last year to become effective at the end of Wildwood’s school term in 2007. 

The Board of Trustees of Wildwood unanimously selected Ms. Cates not only for her impressive administrative and management skills but also because of her dedication and compassion to Wildwood Christian Academy’s mission and school philosophy.  The Board of Trustees noted several leadership roles at both Westminster and Wildwood that have been held by Ms. Cates in her 30 plus years in education.  For twenty years, Lyn taught and worked in various roles at The Westminster Elementary School where she developed and implemented a new reading curriculum and taught Children’s Literature and Language Arts. In addition to overseeing the curriculum at Wildwood, Lyn also serves on the Financial Aid and Admissions Committees.   

Lyn has a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Emory University with a certification in Gifted Education from Georgia State University.  In addition, to teaching at the elementary and high school levels, Lyn Cates has also at the college level at Agnes Scott College and Emory University.   

Lyn Cates and her husband Charles reside in Big Canoe, Georgia.  Charles Cates has also served as the head of school at a prominent independent school in Dahlonega, Georgia.  “We are honored and blessed to have Lyn Cates take over as Wildwood’s Head of School.  It is not often that the first two headmasters of a school of excellence have such exemplary credentials and experience as we have found in Nancy Hammer and Lyn Cates,” said Larry Ruff, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wildwood Christian Academy.  “Lyn Cates will serve as a wonderful leader and administrator for Wildwood as we continue to grow.  As Wildwood embarks on its Capital Building Fund Campaign for the construction of its permanent school buildings, it will be necessary to have strong and leadership with a steady vision. Lyn brings these leadership skills, experience and a shared vision with the founders for the exciting future of Wildwood” said Ruff. 

 It wasn’t long after the 2006-2007 school year ended that Lyn Cates was busy planning and preparing for next year.  “I consider the appointment of Head of School of Wildwood to be a great honor and privilege in my long career in education.  I can’t think of anything more exciting than to become the Head of such a wonderful school as Wildwood.  I know that it will be difficult to fill the shoes of Nancy Hammer, but I am up for the challenge,” said Lyn Cates.   

Wildwood Christian Academy is located in Marble Hill and currently offers grades Kindergarten through 8^th.  The first day of school for the 2007-2008 year will be August 22^nd.