In 1980 I was hired as a junior high social studies teacher and assistant athletic director at St.Frances Cabrini School in West Bend. When I took the job I felt that it would be a brief stop before landing a job at a public high school. Twenty years later I left St. Frances Cabrini to become the principal at St. Hubert School in Hubertus, Wisconsin. Now I enjoy being the principal as St. Dominic School. Catholic education has become more than just my life’s work; it has become my vocation.

Twenty plus years as an educator and my Master’s degree course work at Marquette University, have led me to develop a vision for myself as an educational leader. I strive to live this vision every day in my role as principal. In my vision as an educational leader, I work to develop a school in which faculty, parents and parish community all work together in an environment that nurtures spiritual and academic growth. In my vision, all in the school community treat each other with great respect and a sense of “family” is developed. I work to insure that high academic growth is achieved by students at all grade levels and is modeled by the adult members of the community as life-long learners. Self-esteem, self-confidence, and an ethical value system based on Gospel teachings is evident throughout the school community that I lead. Instilled with these qualities, I work to provide an atmosphere where all in our school emulate the Christian way of life by service to the global community.

From this vision of myself as an educational leader, I have developed ten core beliefs that I feel are essential for a school community to have educational success. The genesis of this list came from the Leadership Foundations of Private Education class that I took as I began my course work at Marquette University. Further educational experiences that I have had as a teacher and as a principal have led to refinement of the list. The following are my core beliefs:

• True quality education must address the moral, spiritual and academic needs of the students.

• Parents are the primary teachers of their children. Parental support is important in the development of any educational environment. A “family atmosphere” provides the parents with a vested interest in the school.

• Education is a life-long process and Catholic schools should be involved in the process for all members of the community.

• Students should have an opportunity to become involved in co-curricular activities. These activities provide important life lessons and the ability to put into practice Christian ideals.
  Students are the central focus of all education. Educational methodologies must meet each individual student’s needs.

• All students have the right to access current technologies. Catholic school students must be prepared for the future.

• Service is a key component of a Catholic school. Service opportunities must be provided to teach children to become adults who model Christ’s love in service to others.
  All students have the right to a quality education regardless of economic status.

• The Catholic school is not just an instrument of the Church, but also an evangelistic force to education all people about Christ’s love.

• Quality teaching is essential to the learning process. A fair pay scale, benefits package and agreeable working conditions help to make for an atmosphere in which greater learning can take place.

These ten core beliefs have guided me in my formation of the St. Gabriel School educational environment and community and continue to influence me in my role of principal at St. Dominic School. I believe that teaching is truly the greatest profession. Teachers really can change the world one student at a time. What a tremendous opportunity it is for a principal to provide the support, encouragement and motivation for each teacher to do their best. If teachers can change the world one student at a time, principals have the power to change the world one school at a time. What a powerful tool this can be to make the world a better place. I am excited to have this opportunity to meet this challenge at St. Dominic School.