Ann Stewart Sledge

Ann Stewart Sledge, EdD, died on January 16, 2016 at the age of 57 in Houston, Texas. Born on October 10, 1958 in Peoria, Illinois to Dana and Elizabeth Stewart, Ann was raised on the family farm in Princeville, Illinois. As a young teenager, she was hired as a teacher's assistant to teach reading to the children living in the migrant farm workers' camp. She never stopped teaching after that. Ann graduated from the University of Illinois in Early Childhood Education in 1980. Her lifelong thirst for the learning experience later led her to obtain a Master's degree in Bilingual Education from the University of Houston in 1984, and finally to obtain a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. In 1980, Houston Independent School District (HISD) was recruiting bilingual teachers from colleges in the Midwest to meet the needs of an exploding student population in Houston. Ann was hired as a Bilingual teacher and taught in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, including Looscan, Sherman, and Harper Elementary schools -- quickly becoming a Teacher Coordinator and an Assistant Principal. In 1992, she became Principal of Ed White Elementary, serving 800 students for seven years. In 1999, she became Principal of Briargrove Elementary, serving 875 students for six years. From 2005 through 2013, she served HISD in several roles, including School Improvement Officer, Executive Principal (Bellaire feeder pattern), Assistant Superintendent - Talent Management, and Sr. Manager of Leadership Development. She was an "educator's educator", who guided, inspired, mentored, and encouraged her fellow teachers and school leaders to strive for excellence. Ann's influence in the Houston educational community will continue to be a positive force for many years to come. In 2013, Ann served as Head of Schools for Kipp Houston Public Schools, retiring (almost) in 2014. In 2015, she became Director of Ministries for First Methodist Church - Houston, her spiritual home-base for these last 35 years. Her skills developed in leading urban schools toward success were perfectly suited in leading an urban church toward success, and she loved serving her church and her Lord in this new way. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Margaret Stewart Newman Smith, and by her nephew, Marine Cpl. Ian Wesley Stewart. She is survived by her husband Ronald, her sons Chad and Collin, her brother Dana Stewart, Jr. and wife Dawn, her sister Nancy Stewart Lowenthal and husband Jeff, and many, many beloved nephews, nieces, and their children. The family will host an informal time of greeting friends and relatives at First Methodist Church - Westchase Campus, on Friday, January 22, 2016 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Worship Center Atrium, 3663 West Center Drive, Houston, TX 77042. The Hinson Chapel will be open for prayer. A memorial service celebrating her life is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10:00 am at First Methodist Church - Downtown, 1320 Main (at Clay), Houston, TX 77002. Parking is free in the surface lot across the street from the church. Ann chronicled her 2 year cancer journey through 16 journal entries, which can be viewed online at www.caringbridge.org/visit/annsledge. The website also allows visitors to post condolences and memories. In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in Ann's memory may be made to First Methodist Church - General Ministries, 1320 Main, Houston, TX 77002, or, to the Ann Sledge Scholarship Fund at Kipp Houston Public Schools, Dept. 963, P.O. Box 4346, Houston, TX 77210 (or donate online at https://kipphouston.org/donate).