Mr. Rogers Announces Retirement

September 15, 2021                                                                      

Mr. Skip Wilday

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

The Gow School

South Wales, NY   14139

 

Dear Skip,

At the close of the 2022-23 school year, I plan to retire as Gow’s sixth Headmaster. For nearly two decades this opportunity has truly been a professional and personal calling. I am deeply grateful and humbled to teach, lead, and coach many Govians. I love this school and all it strives to do for our students and their families.

 

The Gow School is always about the students. Our distinct culture of success and belonging is driven by a remarkable faculty, dedicated staff, committed trustees, loyal alumni brotherhood, and, thankfully, now sisterhood, along with many friends across the nation and globe. We are a world-class organization and our founder Peter Gow, Jr. would be proud of this progress.

 

With our solid teamwork in place, teenagers with dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities can join this level playing field and achieve inside and outside of the classroom. Strong academic programs rooted in quality instruction coupled with best-in-class fiduciary practices in action, both position Gow well to run boldly into our Centennial celebration in 2026.

 

Over these next 21 months, nonetheless, we have much to accomplish. Our lofty goals are mission driven, including our newly launched capital campaign to modernize Main Building, headquarters of our flagship reading program Reconstructive Language. We are also entering the self-study portion within the 10-year accreditation cycle with the New York State Association of Independent Schools.

 

Leadership transition timing will align favorably for our next long-range strategic plan. While we focus first on our current students, we are poised well for more big steps. Please know I am fully prepared to assist our Board of Trustees in all capacities with fluid and natural succession planning.

 

Anne and I are so blessed to have raised a family of four sons here in South Wales. We have all gained so much at Gow and we are completely thankful. Western New York is now our home and we plan to remain in the Buffalo, NY community. Retirement for me will involve helping others in a new capacity yet to be determined. Age 60 is the right time for me for a pause, some reflection, and a reset.

 

Each year I teach a lesson about finishing strong. Now it is my turn to do just that. Early in my teaching and coaching career for fun and concentration I ran marathons -- 14 of them to be exact. Those 26.2 mile races were long and at times difficult but always fulfilling. In most cases those final few miles were my strongest and fastest. As I approach this finish line in my work at Gow, please know I am feeling robust, durable, and confident. The legs are solid, breathing is steady, spirit aligned, and I am focused not finished.

 

Forward we bear and dare in kindness, respect, honesty, and hard work.

M. Bradley Rogers, Jr.

Headmaster

The Gow School