PRESS RELEASE
Connie Coker Announced as Permanent Head of School at St. Anne’s School of Annapolis
August 25, 2023
On Friday, August 25, 2023, the St. Anne’s School of Annapolis Board of Trustees proudly announced Connie Coker as the next permanant Head of School. Coker, who has served as the Interim Head of School over the past six months and who previously held the Associate Head of School position, will officially take the helm just as the 2023-24 school year begins—an exciting start to the year for the entire St. Anne’s School community!
Since beginning at St. Anne’s School in 2018, Coker has demonstrated a child-centered approach to education and a strong understanding of best practices in teaching and learning. Throughout her various roles, she has showed extraordinary leadership and professionalism.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee where Connie earned her B.A. in English and a minor in Business Administration, and of Wake Forest University, where she graduated with a Master’s degree in Education, Coker most recently attended the Teachers College, Columbia University as a Klingenstein Fellow at the Summer Institute for Independent School Leadership. Coker began her educational career as an English and Technology teacher before moving into lead administrative roles at Charlotte Latin School and St. Mary’s School.
Throughout her career, Coker has remained committed to impacting local and global communities through education. With twenty years of experience in education, she has taught in public, parochial, and independent schools, working with students, teachers, administrators, and families across Maryland, North Carolina, Japan, and Rwanda. Alongside her, Coker’s husband, Brad Coker, has been a longstanding supporter of both her career and the School. They have three children enrolled at the School, Greyson (’27), Gavin (’28), and Gannon (’32). Coker’s extensive background in education combined with her keen understanding of the St. Anne’s School community as a parent positions her with a unique and powerful leadership perspective.
Of the appointment, Coker shared, “I very intentionally chose St. Anne’s School for my own children eight years ago because of the warm community, research-informed and evidence-based educational practices, family partnership, and commitment to diversity and intentional inclusivity. I have grown personally and professionally as a leader at this very special school, and I am committed to the core tenants of the institution while I am also invigorated by future progress. I am inspired daily by the students and the extraordinary team of educators with whom I am honored to work. It is a great responsibility and true honor to support and lead the St. Anne’s School community for years to come with joy, passion, empathy, and strength.”
The School and the Board feel fortunate to have a Head of School who cherishes St. Anne’s School’s mission and who has continuously devoted herself to the School. Head of School Search Committee Chair and Board of Trustees member, Tamika Cummings, noted, “As we look to the future of our school, it was clear to us that [Coker]’s exceptional and steadfast leadership, along with her commitment to our school’s mission and values, made her the right leader at this point in St. Anne’s School’s history.”
Following a summer spent re-connecting with students and educators in Rwanda, where Coker was instrumental in the APACOPE School receiving a grant from the U.S. Embassy for its student and community Makerspace, as well as linking arms with other school leaders at the NAIS Aspiring Heads Fellowship Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Coker is feeling empowered, inspired, and enthusiastic about embarking on her first year as Head of School. Under Coker’s tutelage the future is bright for the entire Stars community at St. Anne’s School of Annapolis.
FOR INQUIERIES AND INTERVIEWS: Contact Liza Johnson, Director of Marketing & Communications at St. Anne’s School 410.263.8650 ext. 221 • ljohnson@st.annesschool.org