Goewert New Head of School; McDonald Retiring After 13 Years
Ann Goewert, a math and science specialist at the helm of a private school in Silicon Valley, will be Mount Madonna School’s next head of school. She succeeds Mary Supriya McDonald, who retires July 1.
Ann Goewert will become head of school at Mount Madonna School in Watsonville on July 1.
“Ann is a passionate educator with extensive experience and leadership in K-12 education as well as higher education,” said Sarada Diffenbaugh, president of the MMS board of directors, and a former, longtime MMS principal. “Ann’s selection has the unanimous support of our trustees. She brings to MMS her love of community, respect for cultural traditions, commitment to learning and a vibrant vision for our future. She is truly excited to join our school and share her successes in collaborative leadership, a track record of innovation, a belief that learning should be authentic and meaningful, and to tap into the passion and interests of students and educators.”
Goewert is the principal at South Peninsula Hebrew Day School in Sunnyvale, which honored her March 1 for her contributions. She previously headed Meira Academy, an all-girls college prep high school launched in Palo Alto in 2011.
“I am drawn to MMS because it instills an unquenchable passion for learning,” she said. “The school fosters curiosity in students, challenges them to dig deep and question ideas, and encourages intellectual risk-taking… Mount Madonna students take pride knowing that each student has a purpose and plays an integral role in the school community. Learners at Mount Madonna are not passive; they are drivers of change in the local community, as well as at a broader level.”
She has a doctorate in earth sciences from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in ecology, evolution and organismal biology from Iowa State University, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Louis University.
She taught at San Jose State University before joining Meira Academy.
Goewert has a certificate of completion from the Principal’s Center at Harvard University and is enrolled in Harvard’s School Leadership and Administration Program.
She has led California Association of Independent School accreditation efforts, increased enrollment, designed curriculum and built community and donor partnerships.
McDonald’s retirement was announced last June.
Mary Supriya McDonald, who has led Mount Madonna School since 2007, retires after 33 years.
“She leaves a legacy of exemplary guidance and insight that will motivate the next generation of leadership to continue the outstanding quality and compassionate nature of an MMS education,” Diffenbaugh said, thanking her for “inspirational leadership, hallmarked by brilliant educational initiatives, caring and ethical problem solving, sustainable financial oversight and unstoppable hard work and grit.”
McDonald voiced support for Goewert, saying, “I am truly delighted to welcome Ann and look forward to working with her and others to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.”
McDonald began her career in 1977 as an elementary school teacher in Washington State. She joined the Mount Madonna School faculty in 1987, and began working in administration in 1998. She was co-head of school from 2007-2015, then head of school for the past five years.
Other significant achievements include successful capital campaigns for a new middle-high campus opened in 2004 and a 10,000-square-foot gymnasium, opened in 2018; expanded annual fundraising, and creation of an endowment fund to raise teacher salaries, add student scholarships and sustain the school.
“I enjoy the dynamic relationship building between teachers, students, staff and parents as we work together to create a stimulating and secure learning community,” said McDonald. “Mount Madonna School values reflect the importance of creating a trusting environment to practice honesty, respect and empathy, which supports the natural unfolding of the learning process. Students develop confidence in themselves as learners, take responsibility for their choices and make their own discoveries. The keys to motivated learning are keeping flexible and open thinking alive, learning to ask the right questions at the right time, and caring for one another.”
Goewert said she is committed to safeguarding Mount Madonna’s “legacy of excellence” and to “developing new opportunities to strengthen its academic program, enhance the student experience, and increase enrollment, diversity and equity on campus.”