Cycles of Change Meet Gretchen Warner, Overlake’s Next Head of School

“I am honored, humbled, and enthusiastic to become Overlake’s next Head of School,” beams Gretchen Warner, as she reflects on her recent visit to Overlake. “I admire Overlake for its dynamic history and founding values, though it was meeting students, faculty, staff, parents, alums, and trustees during my visit to campus that made me most eager to join this amazing school.”

Warner is excited to begin the next chapter of her professional life at Overlake starting with the 2024-25 school year. She is first and foremost an educator, with more than 20 years of experience in independent schools. “I have been a teacher for as long as I can remember. In first grade, I would bring two copies of my homework home so I could teach my younger sister what I was learning. During my teenage years, I coached and taught swimming to people of all ages. In graduate school, I discovered I loved teaching more than researching inorganic chemistry. And I’ve been teaching ever since.”

Overlake’s mission is also my own. I look forward to partnering and collaborating with the people in the Overlake community and as we build a bold future for the school.

GRETCHEN WARNER

Warner has worked at various independent schools, including Woodberry Forest School in Virginia, The Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles, and most recently The Madeira School outside of Washington D.C. Her responsibilities at these schools have progressively increased from teacher, to dean of students, to upper school division head, to her first head of school appointment at Madeira in July 2020. “My tenure at Madeira began at the height of COVID-19, the beginning of the nationwide racial reckoning, and the fabric of democracy being questioned ten miles from the school’s front gate. When I became a head of school in July 2020, no one knew if schools could open safely, let alone how; and I had the added complexity that Madeira is comprised of 50% boarding school students and 50% day school students. There was never a better time to be a scientist head of school reading complex data, collaborating with those with differing viewpoints, and making complex decisions.”

During her three years at Madeira, Warner has launched a fi ve-year strategic plan that focuses on areas such as expanding academic excellence in student-centered ways; fostering an equitable, inclusive, and joyful community; recruiting, retaining, and supporting highly effective educators; and developing philanthropic and environmental sustainability. She has also launched and overseen the construction of a new $24M STEAM academic center.

Warner is taking these experiences and many more achievements to Overlake where she is eager to learn about our great community. “I believe fiercely in everything that Overlake is: a school that is thoughtfully future-focused with a commitment to equity and inclusivity, a school that empowers students to shape their community in important ways, and a school that inspires students to become ‘multifaceted individuals’ with a ‘passion for learning, ready for any path that contributes to a better world.’ These are the very values that have always been fundamental to me as an educator. Overlake’s mission is also my own. I look forward to partnering and collaborating with the people in the Overlake community as we build a bold future for the school, as guided by Overlake’s vision, values, and the core mission of championing students.”

Prior to her July 2024 start, Warner plans to be in touch on a regular basis with Interim Head of School Eric Temple during this coming school year.

Thanks to the generous support of our community, Overlake’s Doors to Discovery campaign, the largest campaign in the school’s history, has raised more than $25 million toward our $35 million goal.

The beautiful Whitten Math & Sciences Center was completed during the first phase of the campaign, and we have raised nearly $5 million for financial aid endowment.

We are currently focused on raising the funds needed to construct our new Welcome & Discovery Center, which will be a thriving hub for students, faculty, and families, and a home for our entire community.

To learn more about the Doors to Discovery campaign, please visit overlake.org/discovery.