New Head of Middle School brings diverse experience, adapts to new learning environment
After moving from one COVID-19 hotspot to another to begin her new job in July, new Head of Middle School Chia-Chee Chiu is reimagining what a school leader looks like amidst the challenges of remote learning.
September 24, 2020
For a foodie like Chia-Chee Chiu, moving from New York City to Houston to become the new Head of Middle School was exciting—even if it meant doing so in the middle of a pandemic.
Hailing from Miami, Chiu has held teaching, administrative and leadership positions at independent schools across the country. She taught middle school science in Chicago, Wisconsin and New York and served as the Head of Middle School at Fieldston School in New York.
Chiu loves exploring new restaurants and cooking her favorite childhood dishes. She has also begun writing poetry and taking watercolor lessons.
After moving from one COVID-19 hotspot to another to begin her new job in July, Chiu is reimagining what a school leader looks like amidst the challenges of remote learning and the uncharted territory revealed by COVID-19.
For two weeks this summer, Chiu scheduled one-on-one Zoom meetings with Middle School faculty and staff. While the meetings gave Chiu the opportunity to learn more about the Middle School staff, they also allowed her to understand the school community.
“What I found through that experience is that what makes St. John’s are the people who inhabit it and make it the school that it is known for,” Chiu said.
According to Dean Pringle, Chiu’s attention to detail and positive attitude is seen in everything that she shares and learns.
“We are looking forward to the guidance that she will provide as we charter waters that are new to all of us in the Middle School,” Pringle said.
Although she has been around campus since August, Chiu is looking forward to meeting students and their families.
According to eighth-grader Mark Doan, Chiu’s positivity and excitement given the online format was especially outstanding in her speech during the first Middle School assembly.
According to Pringle, Chiu’s optimism and dedication is sure to guide the Middle School into its next chapter, despite the challenges of a pandemic.
“This year, we will all need to continue to practice being flexible, compassionate, patient and understanding,” Chiu said.
