Head of School Message - 
Faculty and Staff Update
 
Parents, 

As the school's planning for the future proves fruitful and as we learn about faculty and staff who will be moving on to new opportunities next year; and those who will be joining our community as new members, I wish to update you.

 

Effective planning makes it possible to take action on some items early, as certainty develops about the need to take these steps, even while other areas are deliberated. While curricular strategies are still being developed, it is a certainty that All Saints will move boldly and rapidly in the realm of teaching and learning. Much of this work has already begun with adoption of a rotating schedule for next year, advances in technology, and the faculty's examination of Curriculum 21. However, there is much more exciting work to do!

 

To further this work, I have appointed Kathy Wood to a new position, Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs, effective 1 July 2013. This position will oversee the school's academic program with particular emphasis on rapidly advancing curriculum. While Kathy's great work at All Saints is known to all of us, her previous experiences are also pertinent. Kathy has been recognized for her work with curriculum and teachers at every institution where she has been employed. This includes service as a division head and curriculum coordinator at University School of Jackson in Tennessee as well as math department chair and teacher of the year at University Liggett School in Michigan. In addition, we will begin to reshape the position of academic department chairs in the various disciplines so that they may take on a greater administrative role in evaluating pedagogy, planning and aligning curriculum, and addressing their own staffing and scheduling needs. Currently a fruitful search is underway for a new IS/MS Division Head.

 

In other personnel news, I am pleased to report that we have hired Mr. Brian Motto as the new Director of College Advising effective next school year. Mr. Motto is currently the Director of Admission & Guidance at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School in Austin. He is an independent school veteran with over a decade of experience in college and high school counseling, much of it as a director.

 

Similarly, I am pleased to report that after a careful search of excellent candidates, our own Jenny Glenn has been selected as the next US Dean of Students. Mrs. Glenn impressed everyone with the care, thoughtfulness, and fairness she demonstrates with students in the Upper School as well as the organization and skill she has brought to her classes. 

 

We are also fortunate to have hired Mrs. Padrah Gatewood as a new French teacher for next year following Ousmane Diop's departure. Mrs. Gatewood is a young rising star in education with an MA in French from Michigan State University. She is currently teaching at Robert E. Lee High School and we are happy to offer her a new home. 

 

On a personal note, I can report that the Brown Family spent spring break in the wilds of Big Bend National Park in West Texas. Our excursions included three days of canoeing and camping on the Rio Grande and long hikes up to breathtaking vistas. I can highly recommend this Texas treasure!

  

It is a pleasure to bring you this good news of our school. Happy Easter!

  
 
Sincerely,
 
Randal E. Brown 
Head of School 
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