Discovery Schools CEO Dr. Patty Glaser to retire; CAO Sharon Preen named as successor

Discovery Schools CEO Dr. Patty Glaser to Retire in June 2025

Discovery Schools Chief Academic Officer Sharon Preen named as successor for 2025-26 school year

The Discovery Health Sciences Foundation (DHSF) Board of Directors announced the upcoming retirement of Dr. Patty Glaser, founding CEO of the Discovery Schools network, effective June 2025. Sharon Preen, M.Ed., currently the Chief Academic Officer, was named her successor for the 2025-26 school year.

Dr. Glaser remarked on her tenure, “My time at Discovery has been a joyful journey. From a single-site school in Kenner to a robust network spanning Jefferson Parish, Baton Rouge, and the state, I am proud of our collective achievements and the respect we’ve garnered as a high-performing open enrollment educational institution. I am so grateful to our staff, board and faculty who have all worked tirelessly alongside me. I look forward to having more time for travel adventures with my family and friends as well as a bit of continued learning and consulting.”

Under Glaser’s leadership, since its inception in 2013 with Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, the network has expanded to four schools, including a statewide hybrid virtual school, serving over 3,200 students and maintaining high academic standards. Discovery Schools consistently achieve ‘A’ or ‘B’ ratings from the Louisiana Department of Education, reflecting their commitment to educational excellence across a diverse student body.

Dr. Glaser will remain active behind the scenes, focusing on fundraising, strategic goals, and overseeing key construction projects. She will work closely with Ms. Preen over the next year to ensure a seamless transition.

Ms. Preen, a foundational leader at Discovery, brings extensive experience in curriculum and instruction, having earned her M.Ed. from the University of New Orleans and her B.A. in History from Tulane University. Her professional background includes certification as an elementary school teacher and Reading Specialist and her recent completion of the Louisiana Superintendent’s Academy, an elite executive leadership-level program to build exceptional job readiness for future superintendents. She has served as CAO of Discovery schools since 2015 and has worked with Dr. Glaser since 1997 in private schools, faith-based schools, public charter schools and university settings. 

“I am thrilled to continue nurturing the seeds we’ve sown here at Discovery,” said Ms. Preen. “Working alongside Dr. Glaser has been profoundly inspiring, and I am eager to lead our dedicated team as we keep innovating and empowering our students.”

Lynda Nugent-Smith, Board Chair for Discovery Health Sciences Foundation, expressed her confidence in the leadership transition, highlighting the strong foundation laid by Dr. Glaser and the promising future under Ms. Preen’s direction.

“Patty Glaser and Sharon Preen are part of our original Discovery Schools founding team. The school and expansions have been in the best of hands under Dr. Glaser’s leadership,” said Nugent-Smith.  “I miss her just thinking of her departure – that’s the bad news. The good news is that Ms Preen is up to the task of leading our schools into the future. She has our full confidence.”

The Discovery Schools network includes Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy (PK-12), Dr. John Ochsner Discovery (PK-8), and Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery (PK-5), along with Discovery Fusion, a hybrid virtual school set to open in August, 2024.

Dr. Patty Glaser

Sharon Preen, M.Ed.