While sitting in English class during his sophomore year at The High School, Chuck Baldecchi ’89 answered a question about text analysis from his English teacher, Ed Brown ’79. Brown responded, “You’re going to make a great teacher one day.” Almost four decades later, Baldecchi is the Head of School at Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, N.C. 

Baldecchi credits Brown and several Episcopal faculty members for inspiring him to pursue his passion for teaching. “I had five incredible English teachers. Perry Epes ’65, David Dougherty ’64, Al Phillips, Ed Brown, and Dr. Bill Hannum were all great inspirations in my life,” he reflected. “Ed was so young, and what he said resonated with me, but my greatest inspiration was Al Phillips. After interning at The Taft School in college, I realized that if I didn’t teach, I would be lying to myself about how much I enjoyed it.”

After graduating from Denison University with a major in economics and English literature, Baldecchi returned to the Hill to pursue a teaching career. After a year, he shared his plans to eventually become a school administrator with former Headmaster Sandy Ainslie, Jr. ’56, who recommended that Baldecchi join “the best in the business, Billy Peebles ’73.”

Baldecchi relocated to North Carolina to serve as an English teacher, dorm head, and eventually director of admissions at the Asheville School under the leadership of Headmaster Peebles. “Billy was absolutely a formative influence in my life and inspired me to think about becoming a head of school. He also gave me a pretty incredible opportunity that allowed me to have hands-on experience,” he shared. Peebles expressed his own appreciation and admiration of Baldecchi’s early years in Asheville. “Chuck excelled at Asheville as a teacher, advisor, and school leader. He did truly path-breaking, outstanding work there as our director of admissions,” the former Head of School said. “His energy, creativity, integrity, and deep concern for people make him such an effective, caring teacher and leader. It is a privilege to know him.”.

At 26-years-old, Baldecchi revitalized and transformed Asheville’s summer program, sparking increased enthusiasm among potential students. “I was basically running a small school through our summer program; that experience taught me so much.” In 2004, he received his first Head of School offer at The Lexington School in Lexington, Ky. He held that position for 15 years until 2019 when he transitioned to his current role at Charlotte Latin School.

“Being a Head of School is a mix of education and business,” Baldecchi said. “For someone who always thought in high school he was going to be on Wall Street, I got the chance to use both my economics and English degrees to help create community and culture for the next generation of students.”

During 2009, Baldecchi accomplished a significant milestone as a school administrator — establishing a “school within a school” at The Lexington School specifically tailored for dyslexic students. Over 14 years later, The Learning Center at the school has evolved into “a unique program designed to support children with language-based learning differences while offering a completely immersive experience with traditional learners,” as described by the school. This initiative brought an educational option for dyslexic students in Lexington that previously did not exist.

“When I look back on my career, that’s the accomplishment I’m most proud of,” Baldecchi said. “I have always had a particular interest in the way kids think, so to learn and then offer them something that provides substantial help is something I will never forget.” 

As he rounds out his fifth year at Charlotte Latin School and his 30th in education, Baldecchi continues to draw upon his years at The High School. Having served as a monitor, head waiter, and head cheerleader, he recalls the numerous mentors and exceptional teachers he encountered during his time on the Hill. “I often reflect on those relationships and how important it was for me as a young adult to have great mentors who cared about me. I always draw upon that sense of community and the faculty’s dedication at Episcopal — it is a craft.” Baldecchi remains hopeful that more young people will follow their passion for teaching. “It is an awesome job, and it’s truly a privilege to have people entrust you with their child’s education,” he expressed. “It can’t get any more humbling than that.”