New Catholic school principals focus on faith, excellence
This is the second part of a two-part report on new leadership in eight Catholic schools in the Jefferson City diocese:
Continuity and clarity of vision are two hallmarks of leadership in each of the Jefferson City diocese’s 37 Catholic grade schools and three Catholic high schools.
The eight new principals are no exception.
“These are challenging times for all of our schools,” said Dr. Erin Vader, “and we have leaders in our schools who will help us meet those challenges.”
Plans for the future
Some of the best professional advice Patricia Ann Kirk ever received came from Franciscan Sister Eleanor Fallert, who was her principal for several years while she was working toward her degree in administration.
“She always said that you should be there for your teachers and give them encouragement and praise,” recalled Ms. Kirk, the new principal of St. Joseph School in Westphalia.
She grew up in a loving, caring family with parents who accepted her desire to become Catholic while she was in high school.
“I cherish my religion very much because I feel it really came from God,” she said.
She graduated from a Catholic high school, followed by a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (K-9) from the College of St. Francis.
She also holds a degree in administration (K-12) from Eastern Illinois University.
Ms. Kirk believes the primary purpose of a Catholic school is to continue passing on the Catholic faith that parents have given to their child.
“Catholic education centers on developing a strong faith through various religious activities and instructions that are available to the students,” she said.
When Catholic schools do their job well, their graduates can be seen at Mass on the weekends and living their faith throughout the week, she said.
She is convinced that a Catholic school administrator is first and foremost a spiritual leader, a listener second and an educator third.
She believes her greatest challenges as a principal this year will involve social distancing and virtual learning.
Her favorite Bible verses are “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11), and “...what the Lord requires of you: To act justly, love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Her favorite prayer is the Peace Prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, which begins, “Make me a channel of Your peace.”
In times of difficulty, she turns to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, known as the Little Flower, for intercession and inspiration.
She enjoys reading, sewing and spending time with her dogs.
She asks for prayers to keep doing whatever God asks her to do.
To help God answer that prayer, she asks people to “trust that we are doing our best at school to develop the whole child spiritually, physically and mentally.”
Challenges and unity
“Keep the prayers coming! All schools around the world will need extra prayer this school year,” stated Dana E. Schroeder, the new principal of Immaculate Conception School in Montgomery City.
Ms. Schroeder has been teaching at the school for seven years.
She holds a degree in elementary education from Central Methodist University in Fayette and a master’s degree in administration from William Woods University in Fulton.
She has five children — three who attend Immaculate Conception School and two who are graduates.
She believes her role as principal is multifaceted:
- promoting and developing an active community of faith within the school, ensuring that learning standards are developed and maintained for students;
- serving as the instructional leader concerned with the quality of teaching and learning that takes place in the school;
- establishing and maintaining an environment that is conducive to positive staff morale and directed toward achievement of the mission; and
- ensuring the development and maintenance of effective communication systems between parents, teachers and school administrators.
She said a Catholic education emphasizes faith, academic rigor, self-discipline, and high moral standards.
“Catholic schools are faith communities based on belief in God and a Christian way of life,” she stated. “Through Catholic education, families are supported in their efforts to educate young people.”
She said a Catholic education develops the whole person, challenging each student to reach his or her full, God-given potential.
“Catholic Schools are successful because they make greater academic demands, provide stronger community support, and give more personal attention to students,” she said.
She believes that when a Catholic school does its job well, its graduates are effective communicators, responsible citizens, caring family members and self-directed, responsible, lifelong learners.
Ms. Schroeder enjoys spending her spare time with family and friends and watching her children play youth sports.
She also reads professional articles in order to become a more effective educator.
Her best friend, a principal in Montana, told her to “make sure that your teachers are prepared and everything else will fall into place.”
“Plus, always remember to have fun with your students,” her friend added.
Her favorite Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 13:4-6, part of St. Paul’s treatise on love, including: “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
Her go-to saint for intercession is St. Catherine of Siena.
She believes the biggest challenges facing her school this year will be COVID-19 and limited supplies due to back orders.
She asks for prayers for patience with all the upcoming changes.
“We need to get through this challenging time united together!” she said.
Nurturing the whole child
Sara Hooley believes the graduates of a successful Catholic school take the seeds of faith and all they have learned with them and plant new seeds and spread the faith.
“We are building the kingdom of God every day through the education and actions of our youth,” said Ms. Hooley, the new principal of Holy Family School in Hannibal.
A graduate of that same school, she has been teaching there for 18 years — first kindergarten and pre-kindergarten, then second grade.
She and her husband Chris have been married for 17 years.
“We do not have any children, but my students are just like my kids,” she said.
She believes that like anyone else who works in a Catholic school, the principal must wear many hats: the public face of the school, a role model and an educator.
“It is the principal’s role to develop an environment that is rich in learning,” she said. “Whether we are greeting people who come into our school, participating in Mass, learning in the classroom, or playing at recess, learning should occur every day and in every situation that we encounter.”
She said learning is a constant for all individuals in a school, “whether you are a teacher, staff member, student or the principal,” she said.
A fellow educator once told her, “We cannot do it all, so pick one thing to focus on and do it the best you can do. People will notice what you are doing.”
She believes the purpose of a Catholic School is to help parents build disciples of Jesus Christ.
“It is our job to nurture the growth of the whole child and to help them develop a global perspective of the world so they can become productive Christian citizens,” she stated.
She said Catholic schools are vital in that they teach the next generation of society members how to be good stewards — “to use the gifts that they have been given to share and impact the world in a positive way.”
Ms. Hooley enjoys spending her spare time with her family, reading books and learning new things.
Her favorite Scripture verse is “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
“It reminds me to slow down and turn it all over to God,” she said.
Her family, especially her father, taught her to love and turn to the Blessed Mother for inspiration.
She said that every year brings new challenges, but this year’s pandemic brings students and families fear and the threat of sickness.
“Now more than ever, we are going to have to make sure we educate the whole child,” she said. “We are going to have to be flexible. We must show and care for all our neighbors even if they do not look like us or have the same opinions that we do.”
She asks for prayers for all people to use their gifts from God to influence the world in a positive way, and for the health and safety of all schools, students, staffs and families.
“I ask for people to be open-minded,” she said. “We always have the best interest of children at heart.
“Just keep praying and keep our focus on God in all things that we do,” she said.
