In 1994, Pattye Henderson and her husband Cliff Chapman were asked by Atma Vidya Educational Foundation to visit and observe Sri Atmananda Memorial School in Kerala, India, then in its 7th year of operation. Their young son, Mars, accompanied them and attended the model school during their six-week visit. Due partly to the happiness and intensity of his experience, Pattye and Cliff wished to start a KPM School in the US. That was the first step in the inauguration of the Austin school, which opened in September of 1995 with Pattye as its first director.

Among the initial group of KPM teacher trainees for the Austin school was Nancy Moore, already an experienced teacher. When Pattye left the school in 1999, Nancy took on the directorship. This spring, after seven years as director and twelve years at the school, Nancy announced her retirement. Pattye returned in August as director, but was active in the spring in getting to know parents and teachers and in working with the Board of Directors.

Nancy Moore leaves with the deep appreciation of all for her dedicated stewardship of the school during critical years of development, and Pattye Henderson is welcomed with enthusiasm for the continued years of growth and development to come.  Read Pattye's letter.