St. Joan Antida High School

Dear St. Joan Antida High School Community,

It is with great humility and honor that I have accepted the position of Head of School at St. Joan Antida High School.  While I leave a school community that has held my heart for nearly 15 years, I embrace the opportunities that new beginnings offer both SJA and me.  We must work together to build on the successes in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education that have already been realized.  We will broaden this STEM focus to include all academic areas in order to ensure that every young woman who chooses SJA as her high school will succeed in her pursuit of a four-year college or university degree.

I come to SJA from Rufus King High School in Milwaukee Public Schools.  I started my career at Rufus King as a history teacher for eight years.  In 2005 I was promoted to school administration and have worked tirelessly to ensure a quality, rigorous academic experience for the young people of Milwaukee.  I am eager to bring my experiences and talents to the role of Head of School.

As a lifelong practicing Catholic Christian, I am most excited about the opportunity to share my faith with students and openly proclaim the Word of God as we mold young people to embrace their community and each other.  A Catholic education offers students the opportunity to not only hear and understand the Word of God, but also a safe place to practice living that word each day.  In 1 Corinthians 13:13, St. Paul tells us that three things that will last forever are faith, hope, and love, with the greatest being love.  Through a focus on internationalism and the mission of St. Joan Antida, we will demonstrate our love for humankind.  We will continue the work already being done at SJA to think about issues impacting our brothers and sisters on a global level and act locally to alleviate their plight.

The Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida have built SJA high school with one simple vision and mission: to provide young women access to a quality education which makes Jesus Christ incarnate in thought, word, and action.  Through service to others and a commitment to experiencing new opportunities, we can fulfill this mission.  I thank the Provincial Team for entrusting me with the task of continuing the work of the mission of St. Joan Antida at SJA High School.

Families have chosen SJA High School because they believe in our ability to provide their daughters opportunities in life after high school unparalleled at any other secondary institution.  This trust is not taken lightly.  It is this understanding that will focus all academic, pastoral, and financial decisions that I make.  It is important that every young woman receive the academic and social tools she needs to pursue her dreams and achieve success after leaving SJA.  I commit myself to this task and would ask you to do whatever you can in your role within the SJA community to do the same.

As I entered SJA for the first time, I noticed a banner that proclaimed “It’s a new day at SJA!”  New beginnings are always exciting and often unsettling.  I ask you to keep me and the leadership team in your prayers as we explore opportunities for newness and renewed vision.

I look forward to meeting you over the weeks and months to come and serving SJA as the steward of its mission.  It truly is “a new day at SJA!”

Sincerely,

Paul T. Gessner
Head of School