St. John’s Episcopal School Announces Grace Cicardo as New Head of Middle School
“I am guided by a steadfast commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, equity, innovation and joy where every student and educator can thrive.”
- An excerpt from new Head of Middle School, Grace Cicardo educational philosphy.
After an extensive five-month national search in partnership with The Education Group, St. John’s Episcopal School in Dallas is thrilled to announce the appointment of Grace Cicardo as its next Head of Middle School!
Grace currently serves as the Academic Director at Uplift Infinity High School in Dallas and brings with her a strong background in educational leadership, innovation, and student-centered learning. Her deep commitment to academic excellence and passion for empowering young learners make her an ideal fit for our Middle School community. Grace Cicardo describes herself as an authentic leader, one who strives to be herself on good days as well as challenging days. She believes her authenticity is central to what brings her a sense of joy in her life.
This decision reflects the thoughtful work of St. John's 17-member Middle School Hiring Team, with enthusiastic support from the School’s Leadership Team and our search consultants from The Education Group. We are incredibly excited to welcome Grace to the St. John’s family this June.
Ms. Cicardo’s Education Philosophy
I am guided by a steadfast commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, equity, innovation and joy where every student and educator can thrive. At the core of my leadership philosophy are several foundational principles that shape my approach to education, please see below.
Service as Learning: I believe in the transformative power of service-learning as a means to cultivate empathy, civic responsibility, and a deeper understanding of community issues among students. Collaboration: Collaboration is essential to achieving educational excellence. I prioritize creating collaborative environments where educators, students, families, and community partners work together to support student success.
Resilience and Reflection: Resilience and reflection are not only integral to personal and academic growth, but also key to agility at post-secondary institutions or in a global marketplace. Through challenging and supportive experiences, students learn to persevere through setbacks, develop grit, and embrace a growth mindset. Reflection fosters metacognition and self awareness, empowering students to set goals, monitor their progress, and continuously improve.
Nurturing Curiosity and Fostering Critical Thinking: Education should spark curiosity and inspire a thirst for knowledge. I am dedicated to creating dynamic learning environments where inquiry-based learning and hands-on experiences ignite students' curiosity and creativity.
Lifelong Love of Learning: I believe in nurturing a lifelong love of learning among students and educators alike. Education should instill a passion for exploration and discovery, fostering intellectual curiosity and a desire for continuous learning beyond formal schooling or our local communities.
As educators, we have the immense privilege and responsibility of empowering students to embrace challenges, serve one another and be a light to the world.