9 minute read
MEET MADEIRA’S NEW HEAD
A NEW ERA
GRETCHEN WARNER: A FIERCE ADVOCATE OF GIRLS’ EDUCATION
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“I am boldly and unapologetically devoted to the empowerment of young women. I fervently believe in the transformative power of student-centered and research-based teaching. Madeira’s commitment to launching women who change the world is a mission I passionately live on a daily basis and one to which I am wholeheartedly dedicated.”
GRETCHEN WARNER
MADEIRA’S HEAD OF SCHOOL
ON JULY 1, 2020
Gretchen Warner became Madeira’s 10th Head of
School in its 113-year history, succeeding Pilar Cabeza de Vaca and joining Madeira’s storied history of distinguished leadership. Warner views her principal role as innovating while building and shaping a school that develops the future female leaders of the world.
Warner’s deep commitment and vibrant passion for girls’ education are immediately evident. “As a teacher and a leader, I know how critical it is to teach girls in the ways they will thrive—with hands-on learning and making the work relevant and applicable to relationships.” Warner continues on the importance of an all-girls education, “So long as gender inequality exists in the world, there is a role for future-facing female institutions.” “Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn (her) back on life.” Eleanor Roosevelt
GRETCHEN’S INSPIRATION: THIS SPEAKS TO MY EDUCATIONAL & LIFE PHILOSOPHY. A LOVE OF LEARNING MAKES FOR A LIFE WORTH LIVING. CURIOSITY & PERSEVERANCE ARE CRITICAL FOR EDUCATION TODAY.
AN INSPIRING LEADER
Warner is uniquely qualified to steward Madeira’s mission and actively drive the School’s continued evolution toward a bright future. Trustee Anne Faircloth ’87 summarizes the impact Gretchen has had on the community. “In one word, I would describe Gretchen as inspiring,” Faircloth notes. “Gretchen is a true visionary with unusually powerful communication skills.”
Students, faculty, parents, and alumnae have been drawn to her warmth, grace, and sense of humor. Her enthusiasm for community building, her energy as a leader, and her dedication to innovative education have been evident to every Madeira constituency. She will carry Miss Madeira’s banner proudly.
“nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. now is the time to understand more so that we may
fear less.” Marie Curie
GRETCHEN’S INSPIRATION: MARIE CURIE WAS A FEARLESS AND AN INSPIRATIONAL SCIENTIST. I HAVE INTERNALIZED HER WISDOM ABOUT HOW TO DISARM FEAR BY UNDERSTANDING AND LEARNING MORE. I THINK A LOT ABOUT HOW WE TEACH OUR STUDENTS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEAR AND DANGER.
GRETCHEN’S INSPIRATION:
Dr. Rosalind Franklin: an often-overlooked scientist who was pivotal in the discovery of the structure of DNA
FORWARD-THINKING INNOVATOR WITH A STRONG STEM BACKGROUND
A fierce advocate for the education of young women, Warner comes to Madeira from The Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles, California (Grades 6–12, all girls, 495 students), where she was Director of the Upper School.
She brings a compelling record in team-building, diversity work, faculty hiring, and retention. In addition to her responsibilities as Director of Archer’s Upper School, Warner has been heavily involved with strategic planning and secondary school accreditation.
Gretchen’s background includes:
• Using research-based pedagogy and practices • Building a culture focused on ongoing professional development and learning for faculty and staff • Future-facing curriculum development • Experiential education and global learning competencies
Warner began her career as a chemistry teacher and has a depth of experience in the STEM fields, including STEM facilities expertise. She is well-positioned to enhance the program to maximize the interdisciplinary opportunites in the new academic building.
“there is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear
of failure.” Paulo Coelho
GRETCHEN’S INSPIRATION: MISTAKES ARE ONE OF THE GREATEST TEACHERS, AND ADULTS MUST MODEL THIS FOR OUR STUDENTS. NO ONE GOES THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT MAKING MISTAKES, AND WE MUST EMBRACE THE LEARNING THAT CAN HAPPEN AS A RESULT.
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Warner has a paperweight on her desk that says, “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” She curates a culture of informed risk-taking to ensure that student engagement is piqued because the teachers are always challenging themselves to further refine their craft. “A community where the
adults are learning is a community where
the students are learning,” notes Warner. She recognizes that failure is one of the best ways to gain experience, develop knowledge, and build resilience, and that reflecting on failure can be a joyful endeavor.
GRETCHEN’S INSPIRATION:
Pauline Rupp Warner: her grandmother, a women’s college graduate, a lifelong educator, and a feminist
DETERMINATION TO FULFILL MISS MADEIRA’S MISSION
Warner views Madeira as geographically, philosophically, and historically relevant in one of the most important moments in girls’ education. She is excited to lead this spirited community that values graduating critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and women who change the world. “Madeira’s mission is made for this moment,” Warner states. “We are at an evolutionary point where we have the opportunity to innovate and iterate in ways we have never been able to before.”
In a glimpse of potential future initiatives, Warner mentions how she is struck by Miss Madeira’s foundational focus on achieving “personal best” both for the students and adults on campus. She sees “personal best” in a broad context. “Personal best encompasses so much more than academic success,” Warner notes, “and I aim to widen the lens of what success looks like for young women who set out to be leaders in the world. Wellness and joy are as important as academic prowess, and I expressly cultivate these values in a diverse and inclusive community where all students are seen, known, and feel a sense of belonging.”
Warner appreciates the historic nature of the campus. “I grew up in Pennsylvania in a house that was built in the 1920s and spent my free time in rivers and creeks,” Warner shares. “I understand that in a community as historically rich as Madeira’s, there is a unique balance that must be struck between tradition and innovation, and I am inspired by this opportunity.”
GRETCHEN’S INSPIRATION:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
GRETCHEN’S INSPIRATION: I THINK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE COURAGEOUS AND DRIVEN, AS WELL AS COLLABORATIVE AND INCLUSIVE. WHAT WE WILL CREATE AND CHANGE TOGETHER WILL BE BETTER THAN WHAT WE CAN DO ALONE.
STRONG VIRGINIA ROOTS
Warner has numerous ties to Virginia. She met her husband, Robin Laqui, when they were both undergraduates at Virginia Tech. Robin is from Fairfax, Virginia. After receiving her B.S. in Chemistry from Virginia Tech, Warner went on to earn her M.A. in Chemistry at The University of Virginia. Gretchen and Robin are both thrilled to be back in Virginia. “While we loved living in
California, we are excited to be back in the land of four seasons and to call the historic Madeira
campus home,” Warner shares. Her boarding roots run deep, as she is a graduate of Mercersburg Academy and spent her early teaching years at Woodberry Forest School.
PIENZA, ITALY WITH HUSBAND ROBIN LAQUI
GRETCHEN’S INSPIRATION:
Arlene Blum: a mountaineer who led the first all-women expedition to successfully climb Annapurna
BACKPACKING IN SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS, CA OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST
When she is not at work, Warner is outdoors as much as possible. “Nature restores my mind and spirit and I like to challenge myself with adventurous outdoor activities,” she exclaims. Her hobbies include:
• Fly fishing • Hiking & backpacking • Mountain & adventure biking • Rock climbing • Mountaineering
Living near the Potomac, she is excited to get back into rowing and kayaking as well.
Maya Angelou
GRETCHEN’S INSPIRATION: EDUCATION, INTELLECT, AND EXPERTISE WITH HUMANITY AND EMPATHY AT THE CORE IS CRITICAL
MADE FOR THIS MOMENT
Though she arrived during a pandemic when nothing was “normal,” and had to begin the school year remotely, Warner has proven to be the right leader for this moment.
Madeira’s forward-looking academic program and Warner’s laser focus on Madeira’s mission will help keep the School at the forefront of girls’ education for years to come.
As Warner notes, the future will not present neatly defined problems for our students to solve, so it is imperative we help them develop their abstract reasoning as well as the ability to both define and solve the problems they will face. Warner jokes, “Great life stories do not begin with, ‘It was a beautiful day and everything went as planned’…”
Certainly, the start of her tenure is not what anyone planned. Ever the optimist, she galvanized the community around the opportunity of the moment. New technologies, ideas, and rapid iterations have become the norm. “This is the ‘great disruptor’ in education we have talked about, where schools who innovate and lead will be well-positioned for the future,” Warner states. “I am grateful and proud of how our community has seized the moment.”
With Warner leading the charge, Madeira is well positioned to thrive in this time of rapid change. Warner intends to enssure Madeira’s future is indeed bright.
