About Our Headmaster
"St. Andrew’s has such fantastic possibilities for the future"
“Obviously St. Andrew's Episcopal School has a wonderful history of over 55 years. It has the expertise, the teachers and the supporters. What intrigues me now is its commitment to expansion and it is evidenced in the latest remodeling and building program here at the school. The programs here at St. Andrew’s are becoming on the cutting edge for the academic and social rigor that today’s student requires.
“The years between three year olds and the eighth grade are so important. These years are the critical cornerstone years in a child's life because this is when students begin a lifelong appreciation of learning as well as the companion discipline for studies and exploration. St. Andrew’s provides a positive and supportive environment, where students can become grounded in the basics of communication and mathematical and science skills while having the opportunity to expand studies in fine arts—both the visual and musical, athletics, technology, and foreign languages and culture.”
“What is unique about St. Andrew’s is the foundation it is built upon---its mission statement. Every day each student is presented a superior curriculum, an opportunity to express faith issues and the ability to serve others and our world.”
Ron Ferguson has completed three years at St. Andrew’ Episcopal School and in this short time, the School has reclaimed its prominence in the Panhandle as well as region. The School has the fortune to receive several regional and national titles in science, math and social studies. Just recently, St. Andrew’s received a first place recognition at the recent Science Bowl competition in Denver. As well, the School has made a commitment to small class sizes, worship several times weekly, and a very aggressive service learning program to include not only the Amarillo area but the Panhandle and beyond.
His office has become an important part of the School. It is an open and welcoming space that students of all ages feel comfortable to enter and share something exciting about their day---or an important accomplishment. Ferguson has many gatherings in his office and has become as comfortable as a family’s living room. His vast cross collection is an eye-catching focus of the room—and brings many reflective and, sometimes, interesting comments from the students.
Mr. Ferguson brings a wealth of experience and expertise as an educator to the St. Andrew’s. He most recently was the Headmaster at Canterbury Episcopal School in the Dallas suburb of Desoto.
Ferguson was instrumental in the beginning phases of Canterbury when it had just twelve students. During his ten years at Canterbury, the School received full accreditation in its fifth year; acquired thirty-six acres and had an aggressive building program of three permanent buildings. The School expanded from a kindergarten program to a K-12 school. The first graduating class was in the spring of 2004. Prior to Canterbury, Ron has been a public school principal at two schools with the Wylie Independent School District as well an administrator and teacher with the Northeast Independent School District (San Antonio).
Ferguson sees the love of learning and emphasis on academic excellence at St. Andrew's as a critical factor for the School.
"Providing an atmosphere for learning in the classrooms that is exciting and invigorating is essential. But Sr. Andrew's offers more than just an excellent environment for learning. Since the School is a traditional Episcopal School, it is faith based provides for spiritual development, in chapel as well in classes. In today’s world, students do not exist in a vacuum---and discussions on faith and ethics are crucial to our perception of the world, especially today. Diversity encourages growth, and leads to understanding and tolerance of different opinions.
"Beyond that, 'service learning,' is a hands commitment to our local and global community. It enables a child to mature and grow both in responsibility and compassion. It provides an opportunity to learn important life-lessons. By connecting to the real world with knowledge, we can put into practice the ethics and empathy we discuss in the classroom. Hopefully, this early service to others will set the tone for a practice these students will continue throughout their lives."
A native of Jefferson, Iowa, Ferguson studied at both the University of South Dakota and University of Iowa, majoring in English and Journalism. After college, he served in the Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. It was there in the early '70s, he saw directly how important and vital education is to individuals in problem solving and life skills. The office to which Ferguson was assigned was implementing a program for the many Viet Nam veterans returning to America needing drug rehabilitation. It was a complicated issue that the Army was beginning to address. From this experience, he returned to school so he could earn his teaching certificate (he taught both at the second grade and fifth grade level) and then went on to receive his Masters of Arts in School Administration and furthered his studies more at the post graduate level.
Later, Ferguson was to apply what he learned in the Army's program in treating dependency for the Texas Department of Corrections in Project Reenterprise, which was to be an integral part of an inmate's transition to the public sector. Literacy training, completing a GED, college classes, life skills, and job skills were all emphasized, leading at last to an innovative Job Fair in a correctional setting.
Whether he is in a classroom, an office or working with adults, Ferguson sees himself as a teacher. "Actually I feel I teach every day except now my classroom is larger, and includes teachers and parents—and the community--- besides the students."
Ron Ferguson has served for four years as the President of the Board of Trustees for the Southwest Association of Episcopal Schools as well as serving on its board in other capacities for the last ten years. In addition, Ferguson serves on committees for the Independent School Association of the Southwest. His wife, Dru, is an Episcopal priest and she serves as a priest in this diocese. They have a son, Todd, who has his PhD. in Ethics and is a senior consultant for Constella. He has been instrumental with several key policy documents with the World Health Organization, the Ford Foundation and the Center for Disease Control. Todd and his wife, Shayna, live in Chicago.