Heather Kirk is kicking off the new school year in a new position at St. John’s Episcopal School, but familiar surroundings.
Having served as assistant head of school, Kirk is now interim head of school for the 2021-22 school year with the hopes that she will become permanent.
This will be Kirk’s 18th year at St. John’s and the school itself is starting its 66th year. School starts Aug. 18.
“I am super excited to have Mrs. Kirk as our interim head of school,” said Abby Bishop, president of the St. John’s School Board. “She has a deep love of the school and is passionate about the success of St. John’s. She has hit the ground running and (has) an energy about her that is contagious!” Bishop wrote.
When Kirk began teaching in 1994 at Travis Elementary School, she set a goal to be in administration.
Kirk earned a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary education from Wayland Baptist University. She also is certified in reading.
“… About two years ago, I decided to start my master’s degree (in education administration) and I will graduate with my master’s degree from Wayland Baptist University in December,” Kirk said.
A native Odessan, Kirk graduated from Odessa High School. She taught in Ector County ISD for five years at Travis and Burnet elementary schools.
She took a leave of absence to raise her two daughters and she served as a children’s minister at Crescent Park Baptist Church. Her husband is Jay Kirk, a chiropractor.
“And then, along with the pastor’s wife at that time, we started the Mother’s Day Out program there. I ran the children’s ministry and ran the Mother’s Day Out program. … When my second daughter was born, I resigned that position and started tutoring at ECISD,” Kirk recalled.
LaRue Moore, the late director of St. John’s and mother of former head of school Emily McDoniel, called Kirk to teach preschool at St. John’s.
Kirk taught preschool part time for 10 years and then moved to full time and up the ranks.
“I love it because I love … the school itself and I love what we stand for and the curriculum that we have. I love the organization; I love administrative type things and calendars and things like that so … I love being with the children, but also with the teachers. It’s like a big family,” Kirk said.
She said McDoniel was a great role model and noted that St. John’s has had very few heads of school.
“I’m very honored to be a part of those ranks,” Kirk said.
St. John’s current enrollment is about 125 children in grades preschool 3 through eighth grade.
The school doesn’t have more than 18 students in any given class, even when you get into the upper grades. The staff numbers 28.
One of her goals is to get the school’s name out more. Kirk said a lot of times people say they have never heard of St. John’s even though it has been around for decades.
“… We don’t want to be the hidden gem of the West. … I would love to grow our school more. We have a fabulous staff of qualified, degreed certified teachers to grow our school. And we have academic excellence.”
The graduates have gone on to West Point and to earn medical degrees, among other achievements.
“We have really great students at St. John’s, and it’s not just academic. We instill a love of learning, but we also instill character,” Kirk said.
When the students move on to the public high schools, she added, the teachers love to have them because they’re respectful and they have a great foundation.
The school offers vocal music and recorders and is considering a handbell choir.
They offer volleyball, basketball, and tennis. The latter is not competitive.
Knowing the St. John’s children and families has made the transition very smooth.
“I know the heartbeat of the school. I know the parents. I’ve been able to talk to them and … it really has been a seamless transition in my eyes and talking to the teachers as well …,” Kirk said.
“… We have a very supportive school board, and they are all on board and they’re very supportive,” Kirk added.
The school hosts Kooky Karnival and Kirk said that should be happening this year. Other fundraisers such as a golf tournament in the spring to raise money for the school also are being planned.
“We’re excited that our middle school is growing. Each middle schooler will be able to have a Chromebook. …,” Kirk said.
She added that some good things have come out of COVID, such as technology, although the school won’t rely on it completely.
