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Caroline Chapin will assume the position of head of school at Christ Episcopal School on July 1, saying she came to "fall in love" with the Rockville private school because it "embraces diversity, dialogue and religion."

Chapin will be arriving from Holy Comforter Episcopal School in Tallahassee, Fla., where she has worked as assistant head of school and middle school principal since 2003. She started working at the institution in 1994 as a second and fifth grade teacher.

"It has a great balance between nurture and balance by preparing kids for transition into high school," she said. "I'm impressed by both parents and students and their camaraderie. This is a fabulous institution."

Assistant Head of School Janet Gerber said the school community is "thrilled with Dr. Chapin's appointment and the tremendous attributes she will bring to Christ Episcopal School.

"In addition to her love of children, she has great foundation in curriculum and program, strong Episcopal roots and excellent leadership skills," she added.

Prior to her arrival in Tallahassee, Chapin taught kindergarten and second grade at Carmody Hills Elementary School in Prince George's County from 1987 until 1990. After moving to Florida in 1991, Chapin worked for the Regional Educational Laboratory Southeast, an early childhood program, studying the transition of young children from preschool into kindergarten, until 1994.

Her interest in education runs in the family. Her father, Lloyd W. Chapin Jr., is the vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., and her grandfather, Lloyd W. Chapin Sr., once worked as dean of faculty at Georgia Tech University.

"I've always been an educator," said the 49-year-old Atlanta native. "I used to play school with my brother and the kids I babysat growing up."

She received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Emory University in Atlanta in 1983, a Master of Science degree in early childhood education theory and practice from Florida State University in 1997and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in 2006.

Chapin's life is marked by public service. Aside from being an active parishioner at St. John's Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, she delivers meals for Good News Ministries. Chapin was appointed to the Florida Education Standards Commission as an independent school representative by then-Gov. Jeb Bush (R).

Divorced from Joseph Follman, Chapin is the mother of two daughters, Leslie, 21, a student at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., and Emily, 18, a senior at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee.

Both are supportive of their mother's move to Montgomery County, Chapin said.

"They're really excited about it," she said. "Leslie is looking to attend grad school in a big city and Emily's going to Florida State [University] in the fall. A lot is changing."

For Chapin, the challenges that come with her new position lie in getting to know Christ Episcopal and its students.

"My first year, I will be learning the culture and the ins and outs of the school," Chapin said. "I'll be trying to unify everyone under my leadership and getting the word out [on Christ Episcopal]."

Already impressed by how the school functions, Chapin said she does not have huge plans for Christ Episcopal for her first year.

"My goal right now is to continue what is already in place – advances in technology, keeping teachers trained and abreast on developments in the field and partnerships with members in the community," she said.