Jennifer Kowieski, a skilled teacher and administrator with more than two decades of experience in Catholic education, is settling in as the new Head of School at Saint Columbkille Partnership School in Brighton, Mass., following the retirement this summer of William Gartside, who had held the position since 2010.
Jennifer Kowieski
Kowieski, who assumed her new role in July, joins the Saint Columbkille community from St. Josaphat School in Chicago, where she held positions as a middle and elementary teacher, and most recently as assistant principal.
At Saint Columbkille, she will be supported by the leadership team of Keyon Hurd, assistant Head of School for grades four through eight, and Rachel Rumely, assistant Head of School for pre-K through grade three.
Kowieski will continue the laboratory school partnership with Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development, begun in 2018 to enhance opportunities for teacher training, educational research, and professional development.
“We are thrilled to have Jen at the helm of Saint Columbkille Partnership School,” said Peggy Strakosch, co-chair of the Saint Columbkille Board of Trustees. “Her passion and dedication to Catholic education, as well as her ability to ignite a desire to teach and learn, are unparalleled.”
Kowieski previously worked for the Alliance for Catholic Education program in St. Petersburg, Fla., and founded a service-teaching program at Loyola University Chicago called LU-CHOICE. She then continued teaching, specializing in math, science, and religion.
“I am excited to take on this challenge and lead such a talented group of teachers and staff,” said Kowieski. “I enjoy collaborating with my colleagues to ensure the academic success of our students.”
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in psychology, Kowieski grew up in South Bend, Ind. She has a master’s degree in education from the University of Portland, in conjunction with the Alliance for Catholic Education program at the University of Notre Dame, and this summer added a master’s degree in school leadership from Notre Dame. Her research focuses on the use of professional development, observations, and feedback to improve instructional practice.
Founded in 1901, Saint Columbkille Partnership School is a Pre-K-8 Catholic school in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston. Since 2006, the school has partnered with Boston College to provide additional resources for a new national model of excellence in Catholic early childhood, elementary, and middle school education. Collaboration with the Archdiocese of Boston and Saint Columbkille Parish also has helped continue a rigorous and comprehensive education rooted in Gospel teaching and committed to Catholic educational and religious traditions. For more information, visit the school's website.
University Communications | August 2020