Dear Houston Christian Community, |
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It is with deep gratitude and humility that I write to you to confirm my intention to retire from Houston Christian High School at the completion of the 2022-2023 school year. What a privilege it has been to serve as the founding head of school since 1998. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my forty-two-year career spanning public, private, and university education both here and abroad.
It has been my distinct honor to serve a visionary Board of Trustees composed of highly professional men and women with backgrounds in business, government, industry, education, performing arts, and church leadership. Our founding trustees led with a bold conviction that Christian education offers the path forward for the next generation of leaders. They endorsed exemplary standards for the integration of faith and learning and never settled for anything less than that which glorified God. Today, their diligent care and attention continues to inspire growth and excellence in all that we do as a faith-driven community. I am particularly grateful for the counsel and friendship shared with each board chair of the past twenty-four years, beginning with John Bisagno, David McKechnie, Brad Bracewell, Willie Langston, Jeff Voncannon, Jeff Reeter, Mike Handel, Mary Daffin, and Mike Gustafson. Their leadership and interdenominational approach to Christian education has proven to be an effective model of service to students across Houston.
Words do not begin to explain how appreciative I also am for the administrators, program directors, teachers, and staff members that gave of their time and talents to build this school. Their calling is a noble one, uniquely woven into the fabric of our culture and each student's life. I am forever grateful God called these committed educators with diverse gifts, wise counsel, academic proficiency, and an abundant supply of energy to distinguish Houston Christian from all other schools. I am continuously inspired and indebted to each of my colleagues who have served in leadership capacities during these years, working tirelessly to carry this vision forward through programs and services. Their collegiality, courage, and competence have been transformative for our students.
I also wish to add that building relations and serving alongside current and past parents throughout these years has been personally rewarding and professionally enriching for me and the School. I attribute much of the success of Houston Christian to caring volunteers serving alongside teachers and campus leaders in support of our educators and their programs. I have great gratitude and respect for so many missionally minded parent leaders whose service has had a profound effect upon HC's culture. Their continued commitment to building community brings great joy to us all.
And of course, the greatest joy we have comes through teaching and working alongside young people. Houston Chrisitan students possess the heart and passion for learning and leading that God will use to do mighty things. I have been immensely blessed meeting and visiting with our alumni, those returning to campus, and those met while traveling throughout the country. Hearing their stories of success and words of gratitude affirms the work we share. I hope to carry these friendships forward for years to come.
My deepest words of love and thanks must go to Becky, my wife of 43 years; Allison (Class of '01, Allison Redmon Photography); Christopher (Class of '04, Director of Southwest US Aerzen); and Lindsey (Class of '06, speech pathologist). Their continuous support and encouragement never wavered. Together, we look forward to this next phase of life and all the joy that comes with an abundance of grandchildren, travel, and service as God would lead us.
I remain confident that God's hand is upon the next generation of leaders called to champion the cause of Christian education at HC. Thank you once again for your trust and the privilege to contribute to the growth and development of Houston Christian High School. With great anticipation, I look forward to the next school year’s 25th Year Anniversary Celebration and fulfilling my responsibilities to you to build a foundation of excellence for Houston Christian High School.
Sincerely,
Stephen M. Livingston, Ed.D.
Head of School
Houston Christian High School
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Dear Houston Christian High School Family,
As you’ve read, Dr. Stephen M. Livingston will retire in June 2023 as Houston Christian’s founding Head of School which began in 1998. As a board, as a school, and as a community, we’ve all witnessed and experienced Steve’s dedication to students, families, alumni, faculty, and administration. His godly perspective and visionary brand of leadership has enriched us all, and our school has progressively improved throughout his 25 years.
Steve is blessed to have married his high school sweetheart Becky, be a father to three HC alumni, and be known as "Buddy" to seven grandchildren. His commitment to building relationships with students, parents, and many influential people across Houston over the past twenty-four years has allowed him to lead HC successfully through enrollment growth, academic development, expansion of arts and athletic offerings, financial crises, multiple hurricanes, and most recently a global pandemic! Through each of these challenges, HC has emerged stronger through the steady and prayerful hand God has provided Steve.
Steve’s departure begins a logical transition for the School, a process that we are initiating calmly and thoughtfully. Steve will leave HC with solid finances, a gifted and motivated faculty, a robust and experienced leadership team, and a vibrant student body. Steve’s success has been HC’s success, especially when it comes to inspiring students to seek and pursue a divinely inspired life-calling. Steve’s leadership in fundraising through numerous development activities led to the construction of all that we enjoy on our campus today, and his innovative approach to the development of the Learning Commons and the George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders is especially meaningful to me as I’ve seen the impact it has had on my daughter and son, who are HC alumni.
What does this transition mean for HC? True to Dr. Livingston’s thoughtful nature, Steve has given the Board of Trustees 15 months to search for, recruit, and select his successor. This long timeline is beneficial because finding the right person to lead our special School requires a crucial and thoughtful process. Kevin McDonald, an HC trustee and parent of a current student, has agreed to lead the search committee. A national executive search firm has already begun guiding our efforts, and we are confident that we will attract a high-quality pool of applicants. A search committee has been formed, and periodic updates throughout the search process will be included on a special “Head of School Search” page on HC’s website. We will also provide opportunities for members of the HC community to provide input on the long-term, strategic direction needed to move forward, led by the next head of school and board of trustees. Please watch for those important announcements next week.
In his final year of service to HC, we will continue to work closely with Dr. Livingston while also embarking on ”Our Future is Calling” 25th Anniversary Campaign to enhance and expand the pioneering work of The George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders; develop, launch and build a far-reaching innovation program and facility; position HC to continue attracting, training and retaining an exemplary faculty; upgrade athletic facilities and provide further stability for the future by increasing the endowment. The school has recently completed its 10-year reaccreditation with the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest and is starting the process for renewing its 5-year membership with The Council on Educational Standards and Accountability. Parallel to these significant efforts, your board of trustees will now prayerfully select the next head of school. Each of these projects alone would be considered a major undertaking to achieve without the faith that God has amazing plans for the future of Houston Christian High School.
On behalf of HC’s Board of Trustees and our amazing alumni, I thank Steve for his service to the school. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy and the high standards for our next leader to continue HC on a path of faithful service to Christ.
We also thank you for your support of HC’s vision, our faculty and staff, and, most importantly, our students. Please join us in prayer for our School, asking for God’s protection, guidance, and wisdom in the important decisions that are ahead of us.
Sincerely,
Mike Gustafson
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
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