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GPS Bids a Fond Farewell to Dr. Autumn A. Graves
By Anne Exum
DR. AUTUMN A . GRAVES HAD BARELY SPENT A NIGHT in Founders House, the Head of School’s residence on the GPS campus, six years ago before she got to work getting to know the school she would soon lead. She began by learning about the history of the school, its unique traditions, and the programming that sets girls schools apart from others.
Studying the Past to Plan for the Future
Eleanor McCallie Cooper ’64, along with her brothers, Spencer and Franklin, invited Graves to dinner and shared the story of GPS Founders Grace McCallie, Eula Lea Jarnagin, and Tommie Payne Duffy. Graves said her natural curiosity and degree in history led to her asking, What were the laws at the time? and, What were women like back then?
Graves discovered a chair that once belonged to Tommie Payne Duffy, one of our Founders and had it repaired and reupholstered to be used by each May Queen.
She went on to read about the entrepreneurial history and innovators of Chattanooga, past and present, and then connected the three learning circles: the human story from relatives of Grace McCallie, the historical context, and the innovative culture of the city. She realized the foresight of the Founders was not only remarkable for their time but inspiring for female entrepreneurs still today. “I didn’t have to live it to understand it,” Graves said. As the new head of school, Graves met others—students, faculty, alumnae, and friends—who believed like her that the Founders and the past could be springboards for the future. “Other people grew along with me,” she said appreciatively. “I asked the faculty, ‘What time, space, and talent do you need?’ and they’ve repaid the professional development investment made in them with the research and work necessary to become what was envisioned by the Founders: the best school for girls, not just a girls’ school.”
Graves worked with the Board of Trustees and senior leadership to rearticulate the GPS Mission Statement and Values in 2016 to better fit the school's goal of educating girls for future success.
When she heard from the Class of 2014 that they wanted an administrator who dealt solely with their challenges and anxieties, Graves created Dean of Student positions in the Middle and Upper Schools. She also initiated a support services team that would focus solely on the emotional well-being of students. Graves also enhanced many other initiatives at GPS. She supported Head of Middle School Lynne Macziewski through the revamping of the Middle School program, one that would offer a rich and engaging academic program that lays the foundation for students’ academic paths while developing the vital skills for their future success. And she led the way for additional STEM opportunities for girls, creating a robust, state-of-the-art makerspace on campus and securing funds with the Development team for a dedicated research lab and revitalized classrooms and lobby in the science building.
—DR. REBECCA EASLEY STIMSON ’73, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Since 1979, Winterim served as a welcome reprieve from classroom work in February. But after 9/11, travel plans ceased and the program changed to one of mostly local opportunities. Graves revived Winterim, which now offers opportunities for service, learning, adventure, and regional, national, and international travel, including grade-level travel for Middle School students.
Outreach to Alumnae
During conversations with alumnae, Graves heard how important it is for GPS women to connect with each other and how devoted they are to their alma mater; “a loyal crew,” she calls them. The Real Talk programming during Alumnae Weekend became a mini career day for students, allowing alums to share their expertise and experiences by grade levels. The three or four awards that were presented at past luncheons Graves expanded to become myriad awards, recognizing one alumna from each of the classes attending their reunions. She also gave them the opportunity to honor their beloved faculty during Alumnae Weekend by starting the Faculty Emeriti program.
A revitalized Lunchtime Learning program offers current students more alumnae intergenerational exposure. “Thoughtfully helping our alumnae and students connect with each other beyond a social connection seemed so simple,” Graves said. That connection became another important aspect of Winterim, as alumnae were matched up with students who shadowed doctors, accountants, lawyers, and even a Navy pilot who offered important career advice. From the east to west coasts and cities in between, Graves enjoyed meeting the school’s alumnae and learning about their career paths, their families, their interests, and hearing them say that they invest in their friendships with other women because of GPS. “They can offer constructive criticism of their alma mater sometimes, but it is clear that they love it,” Graves said.
—MARY MONCURE WATSON ’74, TRUSTEE
Graves supported the revamping of the existing advisory program to be more intentionally focused on girls' socio-emotional development. Girls stay with their advisory group from sophomore to senior years, allowing them to strengthen their bonds with their advisors and fellow classmates.
Collaborating with the Community
Wanting to inject a public/private partnership aspect into the life of the school, Graves sought venues that would encourage Chattanooga residents to attend events on campus and programs to encourage students to step beyond Island Avenue. She developed a robust speaker series that welcomed to GPS experts in the field of girl development and brain science as well as those who covered topics such as social media, stress and anxiety, suicide prevention, and depression. Evening presentations allowed parents and educators in the Chattanooga community the opportunity to attend at no charge.
She reached out to the entrepreneurs of Chattanooga, encouraging them to participate in Mad, Bad, and Dangerous—an entrepreneurial symposium for women and girls— that eventually became MBD: Girl Edition, a three-pronged #girlpreneurial venture that invited young girls from across the region to start their own businesses and learn how to solve real business and community problems. Eager to see GPS girls engage with organizations in the area, Graves encouraged PIC (Partnerships in Community) to partner with community nonprofits in ways that sought equal influence as membership on the organization’s board as much as deficit-filling engagement.
A Committed and Driven Tenure
As Graves drove through the GPS campus when she left at the end of June, she could see the home of Cadek Conservatory of Music, now located in renovated GPS facilities through a partnership with University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. From Veterans Bridge she could see both the new rowing center being constructed next to the Tennessee River, thanks to a partnership with McCallie School, and a renovated tennis center supported by tennis alumnae and their parents. From facilities to faculty, students to alumnae, from friends made in the Chattanooga community to student families, Graves’ focus was always, as she often said, “on the girls.”
During Graves’ tenure, the four Cs as outlined by NEA.org—Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity—were adopted by GPS and recognized as leading to a fifth C—Confidence—which is so vital for girls’ 21st-century education.
“In such a short time, she ushered the girls, faculty, and school into the 21st century of independent schools,” said Clay Watson, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. “I thoroughly enjoyed serving the school while working with her to make GPS the best school for girls. We, as a Board, will continue to fulfill her legacy while ushering in new leadership for our girls.” Even in her last few months at GPS, diligently leading the school through the unpredictability of a pandemic, her priority remained “to provide our girls the best education possible.” Her many COVID-related communications to parents and students and even retired faculty and alumnae illustrated her empathy and the transparency with which she communicated about distance learning, plans for end-of-year traditions, and her hopes for the future.
Asked what she would say to the next head of school, she offered grace and advice. “Be a cheerleader. This community appreciates real and virtual high-fives.” She also encouraged the next leader to intentionally create one-on-one time with the girls and expressed an appreciation for and trust in Dr. Kirk Walker for his interim year in 2020-21. The Strategic Plan adopted by the Board of Trustees during her tenure called on the GPS community to look in, reach out, and lift up. Autumn Graves fulfilled that mission in her too-short six years as the most recent resident of the Founders House.
Graves and the Board of Trustees worked for years with McCallie to build a new rowing center on the campus of GPS that will house both the boys and girls rowing programs. The center will open August 2020.
Graves and the Board of Trustees worked for years with McCallie to build a new rowing center on the campus of GPS that will house both the boys and girls rowing programs. The center will open August 2020.
—KERRI MARTIN BARTLETT ’75, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
