A new Head of School has been named at Monsignor Catholic High School.
Athens, GA (July 13, 2018)– The Board of Trustees of Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School is pleased to announce that Paul Gessner has been chosen to be the new Head of School. Paul Gessner is a lifelong educator from Milwaukee who discovered his calling to educate young people through service to his church as a religious education teacher.
He studied history and secondary education at Cardinal Stritch University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in both areas of study. Upon graduating from college, Paul had a very successful career in Milwaukee Public Schools’ Rufus King High School as a History teacher. While teaching, he pursued a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University and earned promotions at Rufus King as both a curriculum generalist and school administrator. It was this experience that solidified his belief that all children could learn at high levels. His love of the International Baccalaureate (IB) college-bound program was born after seeing countless numbers of young people excel in higher level courses with a little patience, a lot of love, and high levels of structured teaching of critical thought, the importance of service and self-awareness, and their connection to the world around themselves.
In 2012, Paul was approached to lead St. Joan Antida High School (SJA) as Head of School with the charge of bringing the same opportunities that existed for the children he served at King to the young women of SJA. As a life-long practicing Catholic, he enthusiastically accepted this task and led SJA to become the only all-girl IB World School in the State of Wisconsin and 12th in the United States. Under Paul’s leadership, SJA also became the only all-girl IB World School in the United States and 2nd in the World to offer the IB Career-related Program in Engineering. This ensured the success of the IB program was directly linked to SJA’s commitment to the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering Program that already existed at the school.
“We are incredibly fortunate that an educator with Paul’s background has agreed to become the Head of Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School,” said Board President Judge Charles Auslander. “His Commitment to the educational excellence and care of all students will no doubt bring our school to the next level.”
Paul passionately believes that it is our job as educators to dream for students before they know what to dream for themselves. Mission-driven, he looks for every way to empower students to discover their God-given potential and become true leaders in our global society.
“I am honored that the Donovan community has entrusted the care and administrative stewardship of this school to me as your candidate,” said Mr. Gessner. “ I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees and all stakeholders of the school community to achieve the goals set forth for the school and its continued growth.”
Mr. Gessner will begin his duties at Monsignor Donovan on Monday, July 16.
About Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School
Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School (MDCHS) is an independent, Catholic high school located in Athens, Georgia. The mission of Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School (MDCHS) as a Catholic college-preparatory school is to develop leaders with the competence, conscience, compassion, confidence, and courage who, out of love for Christ and others, will radiate Christ in their lives. MDCHS is located at 590 Lavender Road, Athens, GA 30606.
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