August 22, 2017
Dear Parents and Friends of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders,
I took a small risk in applying for this job 12 years ago. Your daughters took a big risk by applying for admission here, by traveling across the city and through traffic to get here, by knowing that they are going to have to work hard and apply their learning to solve real global problems.
No one person is the reason for the existence and success of this school; instead we have always embraced the true spirit of Sisterhood with shared leading and learning. I’m immensely grateful to have had a role in this, but now it’s time for me to retire. While it will be difficult for me to leave our Ann Richards community at the end of September, it’s time for me to have more time with my family, time to read and travel, and time to spend with my husband who is moving to Washington to write a book.
But there’s no need to worry as your daughters and the school will be in the best possible care as we are so fortunate that Kris Waugh has been named as our interim principal. And with her working with the administrative team of Ms. Wiersema, Ms. Castano, Ms. Day and our exceptional faculty and staff, Ms. Waugh will make sure that we continue to live and breathe our mission statement, that we carry on the traditions of Sisterhood, that we excel in academics and college admission and scholarships, that we have challenging and meaningful courses, host all kinds of extra and co-curricular activities, solve community and global problems and so on. She’s a dynamic and innovative leader who will take the Ann Richards School to the next level of excellence and inventiveness and even beyond our imagination.
That I had a small part in making this happen is, beyond my family, the singular greatest achievement of my life. One in which I take great pride and have much gratitude.
I thank you for giving me this chance and for supporting our girls in every way possible.
Best to you and yours,
Jeanne Goka
