Breck's new head of school is on the job. Natalia Rico Hernández, an educator and administrator from New Orleans, took over leadership of the private school in Golden Valley on July 1.

As the 16th head of Breck, Hernández will oversee 1,200 prekindergarten through 12th-grade students. She is taking charge after Edward Kim stepped down at the end of the school year, ending a decadelong tenure.

During his time at Breck, Kim supervised the construction of the Upper School facility and the inauguration of the Melrose Family Center for Servant Leadership and the Peter Clark Center for Teaching and Learning.

Hernández arrives from the Isidore Newman School, a private college preparatory school in New Orleans, where she was assistant head of school. She has 24 years of teaching and leadership experience.

Hernández received a doctoral degree in education in leadership, policy, and organizations from Vanderbilt University.

"I envision a critical part of my role as Head of School to be best described by the Spanish word portavoz, or 'to carry the voice.' My hope is to carry the voice of our school — our rich history, unique educational experience, and important role in the community — for years to come," Hernández said in a statement.

Beatrice Dupuy • 612-673-1707