Temba Maqubela
Headmaster
Temba Maqubela is the eighth headmaster of Groton School, having assumed the role in 2013. A South African–born educator and former anti-apartheid activist, Mr. Maquebela brings over three decades of teaching and leadership experience to the role. At Groton, Mr. Maqubela emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, while modeling intellectual courage, humility, and character—values drawn from his own history of overcoming exclusion and advocating for inclusion. Mr. Maqubela champions Groton’s traditions of service, spiritual openness, and community life, while advancing initiatives like GRAIN to expand affordability and diversity.
Both Mr. Maqubela and his wife, Vuyelwa Maqubela, are lifelong educators and inspirational visionaries. Previously, Mr. Maqubela served as the Assistant Head for Academics and Dean of Faculty at Phillips Academy, Andover, where he began as a science teacher in 1987.
Spending 25 years at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mr. Maqubela chaired the Chemistry Department and directed (MS)2, a summer program that strengthens math and science skills among economically disadvantaged African American, Latino, and Native American public high school students. He launched the ACE Scholars Program, which tackles the preparation gap among gifted students, and took the lead on Andover’s Global Perspectives Group, which focuses on global education for students and faculty. Early in his career, Mr. Maqubela taught high school in Botswana and in Queens, New York.
Mrs. Maqubela teaches English, coaches track, and has headed a dormitory for 25 years at Phillips Academy, Andover. Like Mr. Maqubela, she has spearheaded diversity initiatives and championed increased access to educational opportunity. The Maqubelas’ three children graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover in 2003, 2006, and 2011.
Mr. Maqubela received a master’s in chemistry and did doctoral work at the University of Kentucky; he received a bachelor’s of science with honors from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Though he is a fourth generation educator, Mr. Maqubela does not hold a high school diploma because he went into exile from apartheid-era South Africa, his native country, before graduating. A dedicated teacher and scientist, Mr. Maqubela received a White House Distinguished Teacher Award in 1993 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Northeast Section of the American Chemical Society in 2002.
In addition to teaching at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mrs. Maqubela has directed the Independent School South Africa Education Program; launched, with her husband and other colleagues, a summer program, the African Studies Institute; and co-directed the Andover Breadloaf Writing Workshop. She was diversity director at Pingree School, a fifth grade teacher at the Pike School, and an English teacher at a high school in Soweto, South Africa. Mrs. Maqubela received a master’s degree in education from Lesley University, a bachelor’s degree from University of Fort Hare in South Africa, and did post-graduate work at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
Groton School – Director of Major and Planned Giving – Job Description (PDF Download)
