From the Board

Taipei American School Superintendent Dr. Sharon Hennessy Signs a Six Year Contract at TAS

By Christopher Kavanagh, Communications Liaison on behalf of the Taipei American School Board of Directors

The Taipei American School Board of Directors is happy to announce that Superintendent and Head of School Dr. Sharon Hennessy signed a six year contract at TAS. Since arriving four years ago, Dr. Hennessy has worked in harmonious partnership with the Board to refocus the school’s attention on educational improvements. The TAS community recognizes that her dynamism and leadership are exactly what the school needs. Parent satisfaction levels have never been higher; superior college matriculation results across the student body demonstrate the strength of the TAS program; and faculty retention is at an optimal level.

Dr. Hennessy was praised by one Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) evaluator for her emphasis on “a transparent approach in communication” and success in “creating a positive working relationship with the Board. Roles and responsibilities involving administrative responsibilities on the one hand, and fiscal and policy oversight on the other have been clarified.”

The Board of Directors recognizes that such lengthy appointments are rare for heads of school these days but voted unanimously to offer Dr. Hennessy the longterm contract in order to secure her leadership for at least the next six years. Continuity in a climate of change and renewal is important, and board members believe that the school is heading in the right direction. Board Chair Dr. Winston Town noted some of the laudatory comments made by board members about Dr. Hennessy, such as “her attention to the needs and development of all students at TAS sets her apart” as well as the observation that “Dr. Hennessy is tireless in attracting and retaining the best educators, the key to a great school.” He summarized the unanimous board opinion that “Dr. Hennessy is the clear choice to propel TAS to a higher level of success now and in the future.”

Dr. Hennessy held leadership positions in two of the most highly regarded schools in the United States, one public and one private, for twenty years before taking over as Head of School at Taipei American School in 2009. She was for many years an adjunct faculty member at Boston University, where she was recognized with the Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from the University Council for Educational Administration. She held a joint appointment from the United States Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Education and served on the School Board for the Departments of Defense Dependent School System world-wide. She previously served on the Board of Trustees of the prestigious Roxbury Latin School. She holds five graduate degrees, the most recent from Harvard.

Dr. Hennessy said she is “humbled and delighted” to have this signal of recognition for the work accomplished to date. She added that as a lifelong educator with three decades of experience in various positions, she considers Taipei American School “educational nirvana” given the “amazing students, dedicated faculty, involved parents, and supportive board.”