Sharon became Headmaster of St. Johnsbury Academy in July 2020. Prior to her current role, Dr. Howell served as Head of School at Indian Springs School in Birmingham, Alabama, and Associate Head of School for Strategic Planning and Administration at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, Massachusetts.
Before she began her independent school career, Dr. Howell was the Allston Burr Resident Dean in Adams House and Lecturer in History and Literature at Harvard University. During her time at Harvard, she also held positions as Senior Allston Burr Resident Dean and Interim Housemaster in the residential house system and was an elected member of the Faculty Council.
Dr. Howell holds a Ph.D. in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University, an M.A. in English from Villanova University, and a B.A. in English from Connecticut College. She serves on the boards of St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju (Korea), and on the Executive Committee of the Vermont Independent School Association (VISA).