For more than a century, and especially in the last year, Christopher House has experienced growth, expansion, and transition in the ways we strive to support our communities. We are grateful for the leaders within each of our family of schools and campuses, and indeed the leadership qualities we see in our scholars as they excel year after year during their time with Christopher House.
These are characteristics we seek at all levels, and we are excited to announce that we have found a leader who exhibits the passion, dedication, and experience that we value so much: Libby Shortenhaus.
We spoke with Libby to learn more about her experiences, vision for the future and the many ways our schools work to close the opportunity gap for the scholars and families in the communities we serve.
Having been with Christopher House since 2004, what have been the most exciting developments that you’ve observed?
First thing that comes to mind is our work throughout the last year. I’ve been amazed and inspired by the resiliency of our scholars and staff alike. Through unbelievable and unexpected circumstances, our community showed perseverance and adaptability, and our model proved effective during the most unexpected of circumstances.
I also think that the expansion of our continuum model and growth of our family of schools, especially over the last decade, is one of our great achievements. As an organization, we collectively set and achieve goals together, and we would not be able to make this kind of progress without working together as well as we do.
And it’s not just the physical expansion of schools that I’m proud of; it’s the way we perform and excel in these schools. Every time we receive accreditation or learn that our scholars are exceeding expectations; when we see the performance of our teachers and scholars recognized with statewide and national accolades; when we celebrate our very first graduating class of 8th grade scholars. These moments reveal how enriching of a model we have in place for everyone enrolled in our family of schools.
What are some of the key elements about Christopher House that distinguishes the school from others?
The way we connect with families in our communities at the earliest stages of their children’s lives is key. A parent is their child’s first teacher, and we know that learning must continue when young people are outside of the classroom. Our commitment to personalized learning from the earliest years through high school also ensures that Christopher House meets the unique needs of each and every learner in our continuum of education.
Why is it so important to offer communities a continuum of education and engagement in the way Christopher House does?
Engaging with families and scholars long-term is one of the most fundamental things that we do. Our relationships with scholars and their families don’t cease over the summer months or after scholars move on from Christopher House. In June, we celebrated our first graduating class of 8th graders, and their next steps are really exciting: more than 90% were accepted into their top-three best fit high schools. And while these scholars are heading off to high schools across the city, our After School program will ensure that they stay in the Christopher House family – many of these scholars will continue to engage with Christopher House programming after their school day ends and also during school breaks.
What are your short- and long-term goals for your leadership role with the organization?
My first priority is a safe and full return to school this fall. We are excited to see all of our scholars benefiting from in-person instruction and we know that this will be an adjustment for everyone – scholars, parents and teachers. We look forward to assessing the impact of virtual instruction on our scholars and creating interventions – academic, social, and emotional – to ensure we maximize learning and growth in the coming year. We also know our teachers will need additional support including professional development, time to collaborate, and space to innovate so that we can best meet the needs of our scholars.
I am also excited to begin a number of listening sessions to re-connect with the wider Christopher House community. I’m excited to take this opportunity to hear from and partner with our community as we execute on our critical mission of providing high-quality education and support for our scholars, their families, and the community. This is also an early opportunity to show my commitment to increasing communication and transparency at all levels.
In the long-term, I look forward to creating new opportunities to invest in diverse leaders throughout our organization – this includes all levels of the organization from members of Christopher House’s Board of Directors to emerging leaders throughout our schools. I am committed to elevating our thought leadership and advocacy efforts to ensure all levels of the organization are engaged in work to improve outcomes and influence policies for all those we serve. Christopher House now has an opportunity to become a stronger organization by leaning into our core values – a commitment to excellence, achievement and perseverance, respect and compassion, and equity – and the core components of our educational model.
What is it about Christopher House’s mission that most resonates with you?
Family, equity and opportunity. Family because I know the power our parents and caregivers play in the success of our scholars. Equity because I have seen how our personalized learning model provides scholars and families what they need to be successful. We are not a one-size-fits-all shop. We get to know our scholars, their backgrounds, and their hopes for the future, and we design education, curriculum, and programming that is tailored to their strengths and identity. And opportunity because that’s really what we are all here for – to make sure every child who walks through the doors of our schools has access to a lifetime of opportunity and success. Their paths may all look different, but they will own their paths, knowing themselves and having the confidence to make their own way once they move on from Christopher House.
What is your favorite memory during your time with Christopher House?
There are many! As part of Christopher House’s model, new parents have access to home-visiting and doula services. It just so happened that while I was pregnant with my first child, I shared an office with the teen and adult pregnancy staff. I learned an incredible amount during this time just by osmosis – and I remember thinking how incredible it was that our parents and infants had this level of support at such an early stage in their learning journey. And that’s how I feel about each of Christopher House’s schools and programs – if only every scholar in our city was met with this level of support, the whole future of our city would change – and that’s a dream for the future.
