Mr. Paul T. Gessner was promoted to administration on October 1, 2005 after more than eight years as a Social Studies teacher at Rufus King High School. He taught United States History, Advanced Placement Government & Politics, World History, and Contemporary World Affairs while assigned to King. Mr. Gessner began his teaching career in 1997 at the Rufus King Academy, a program designed for at-risk students who had poor attendance, low grades, and disciplinary problems.

He also graduated from Cardinal Stritch University in 1997 with his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broad Field Social Studies with majors in History and Secondary Education and minors in Political Science and Geography; and he graduated from Stritch in 2003 with a Master of Science in Educational Leadership with Principal and Director of Instruction certification.

Mr. Gessner is currently responsible for:

• 9th Grade Attendance, Discipline, and Special Education concerns
• Teacher Evaluations
• The Educational Plan and ESEA Compliance
• Leader of the Learning Team
• Staff Development
• New Teacher Orientation
• Teacher Course Expectations Accountability
• Student Government and Student Organizations

Mr. Gessner believes that every decision that is made within the school community must answer the question: does this serve the needs of children? He offers students discipline tempered with understanding and strongly believes in the ability of every child to learn.