Before retiring from public school education in 2003 Henri Goettel was a district administrator for the Independence Public Schools, leading the Office of Student Success. The programs she implemented there included a Truancy Court to address the root causes of excessive absenteeism in the district. As principal of Procter Elementary School for 20 years in Independence, Goettel addressed the needs of students in a community challenged by poverty, transience, and low expectations. She guided her staff to transform Procter's environment into a more learning-friendly environment. Her innovations included before- and after-school childcare, a free neighborhood clinic, clinical social work and case management services, a free preschool, full-day kindergarten, extended day activities and summer schooling. At the time that these services were implemented, they were novel to Independence. In retirement, Goettel facilitates the philanthropic activities of the Youth Council of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, a public charity serving Eastern Jackson County, Missouri. She also serves as a YouthFriend mentor and teaches Hebrew School.
1973 University of Missouri - Kansas City, M.A.
