New Catholic school administrators are confident in their calling
This is the second part of a two-part report:
The new school year is in full swing, and the new administrators at several of the diocese’s 37 Catholic grade schools are adapting to their roles and honing their vision.
Here is some information about three of them:
A clear destination
James Hendler brings an appropriately long view, along with 30 years of experience as an educator to his new role as principal of Mary Immaculate School in Kirksville.
A mentor and fellow educator once pointed out to him: “Though the path may change sometimes, the river still meets the sea.”
He believes being a role model is his most important function as principal.
The St. Charles County native attended Catholic schools for grade school and high school, followed by Saint Louis University in St. Louis.
He said the purpose of a Catholic school is to provide guidance and learning in a faith-based environment.
Daily, this involves “reinforcing values that guide us in a faith that will lead us to heaven.”
Mr. Hendler said that if a Catholic school does its job well, its students are “respectful of themselves, confident, and respectful of others.”
He recently read Three years among the Comanches. His takeaway from that: “Life has always been a struggle.”
In his spare time, he enjoys working in construction, restoring classic cars, and hunting.
His favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 6:11 — “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.”
In times of need, he turns to St. Christopher for intercession in heaven.
Mr. Hendler asked prayers for guidance to do what is best for the students, parents and diocese.
Creating convictions
“I believe that God hears all of our prayers,” said Suzann Jenkins, principal of Sacred Heart School in Sedalia.
That’s why she’s comfortable asking for prayers for wisdom and peace “for me and for those I am serving.”
Mrs. Jenkins grew up in Kansas City and went to Catholic schools for kindergarten through high school.
She then attended Central Missouri University in Warrensburg, where she met her husband and received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an endorsement in early childhood.
She sees her role as principal as being of service to the students, faculty and families.
“I actively look for ways I can be of assistance to our Sacred Heart community,” she said.
Mrs. Jenkins said graduates of a successful Catholic school head out into the world ready to serve their communities by living Christ’s values to the fullest.
“Our students should feel compelled to carry Christ to the rest of the world,” she said.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and cooking.
Her favorite Bible passage is Proverbs 31.
She’s excited to take on this new role and is grateful for all the support she’s received from past and current administrators.
“I truly believe it will be a great year,” she said.
Faith and excellence
Jane E. McMullin, interim high school principal at Sacred Heart School in Sedalia, believes her role is to help foster the students’ growth in all areas: academic, social, extracurricular and “most importantly, in their faith.”
“My job is also to assist parents in this endeavor,” she said.
She holds a bachelor of science degree in Secondary Education and a master’s degree in history.
This is her 33rd year as a teacher at Sacred Heart.
She was the second generation from her family to graduate from Sacred Heart, where members of the fourth generation are now students.
Ms. McMullin said a Catholic school’s primary objective is to help young people become well-rounded in all areas of life, especially in their faith formation.
“Catholic education, besides the rigor expected, offers the opportunity to discuss God in all that we do,” she said.
Ms. McMullen is an avid reader and spends much of her free time during the summer reading historical fiction, which also helps with her classes.
She also loves to travel.
She has had countless mentors, most of whom were also her teachers.
“Truly, what inspired me to become a teacher was the incredible example that I had at Sacred Heart,” she said. “Each and every one of them helped me in my own role as a teacher.”
She often turns to St. Francis of Assisi for intercessory prayer.
Her favorite Bible verse is Matthew 7:7-8 — “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
