Atlanta
As School Begins, Five New Principals Take The Lead
By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer | Published August 16, 2012
Five new principals will be leading students and faculty in the Atlanta Archdiocese as the school year gets underway.
One taught soldiers earning high school equivalency degrees; another was a caddy in high school; yet another enjoys reading church documents on Catholic education to share those insights with faculty and parents.
Here are the new leaders at local Catholic schools:
Tricia Ward
Patricia Ward, 58, is the interim principal at Christ the King School, Atlanta.
The Georgia native has taught for nearly 32 years, starting as a third-grade teacher. For a time in Germany, Ward taught U.S. soldiers and their families to help them earn their high school equivalency degrees. She’s been involved with Catholic education for 23 years.
She and her husband, Joe, worship at Holy Spirit Church, Atlanta. She has two grown children and one granddaughter.
Before serving as the interim principal, Ward was the assistant principal at Christ the King School for 15 years.
What was a fun summer job you once had a teenager?
After I graduated from high school I worked at a local drugstore as a cashier. It was a great place with a soda fountain, a lunch counter, and a few tables. It was somewhat famous (really) for its homemade chili and chili entrees—the hot dog, the chili dog, and the scrambled dog. People traveled from miles around to eat this chili, from all over the country—well, at least from all over the South. The place has been featured in many magazines, including Southern Living, over the years. The name of the drugstore was Dinglewood, and it was sort of a hangout for teenagers and adults alike. It had been around for as long as I could remember, and working there that summer felt very comfortable and was lots of fun.
What are two ways parents can help teachers educate their children?
Parents can help teachers educate their children by teaching them to accept responsibility for their actions and learning and allowing them to learn from their mistakes. Children need lots of practice making good choices and decisions in elementary school, so they’ll be better equipped to make the tougher ones in high school and life. Learning to face and overcome challenges causes children to become stronger and more resilient as students and life learners.
What books have you read recently, for work purposes or for pleasure?
Summer is usually when I catch up on articles I’ve tagged in professional magazines and journals regarding innovative ideas in teaching and best practices, but I did just reread “What Great Teachers Do Differently” by Todd Whitaker and will use it in professional development with the teachers this year. As far as pleasure reading is concerned, I’m just about to finish Stephen King’s new novel “11/22/63,” a book about time travel and an attempt to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Molly Carlin
Molly Carlin, 34, is the new principal of Queen of Angels School, Roswell.
A former assistant principal at the Roswell school, Carlin brings to the position 12 years of work experience in Catholic schools. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education program.
Carlin and her husband, Ryan, attend Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Atlanta. They have a 15-month-old son.
What was a fun summer job you once had a teenager?
As a teenager one of my favorite summer jobs was babysitting for the families on my street. I also worked as an assistant in a law firm, which taught me a lot about the legal profession. I decided it wasn’t for me!
What are two ways parents can help teachers educate their children?
Parents are the primary educators of their children. It is so important that they model good habits for their children, such as making reading a part of daily life. Educating children in their faith through word and example is also something that cannot just be done in Catholic schools. I love working in Catholic schools because of the partnership we have with parents.
What books have you read recently, for work purposes or for pleasure?
For pleasure I recently completed “The Corrections” by Jonathan Franzen, which I enjoyed very much. For work I have read “No Greater Work: Meditations on Church Documents for Educators.” I find the church documents on Catholic education’s importance to be affirming, and I like to share their wisdom with my faculty and parent community.
Brian Newhall
Brian Newhall, 59, is the new principal of Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fayetteville.
A native of the Bay State, Massachusetts, he has been involved with Catholic education for 24 years. He and his wife, Phyllis, attend St. Peter Chanel Church, Roswell. They have three children, with the youngest starting college. Their oldest is the principal at Immaculate Conception School, Augusta.
Before becoming principal, Newhall taught social studies and special education in Cobb County.
What was a fun summer job you once had a teenager?
I was a caddy at Kernwood Country Club in Salem, Mass.
What are two ways parents can help teachers educate their children?
Stay involved and communicate with teachers. Work with the school staff to promote learning and extracurricular involvement. Be an advocate for your child!
What books have you read recently, for work purposes or for pleasure?
“Shiloh 1862” by Winston Groom.
Lisa Cordell
Lisa Cordell, 53, is the new principal of Our Lady of the Assumption School, Atlanta.
Raised in Chattanooga, Tenn., Cordell has worked for the past 14 years in Catholic schools.
She and her husband, Ed, attend Our Lady of the Assumption Church. They have two married children.
She knows the school well. She worked as the curriculum coordinator at the school before moving into the principal’s office.
What was a fun summer job you once had a teenager?
As a teenager I worked in retail and taught gymnastics. My most interesting experience as a teenager was bicycling from Chattanooga to Kansas one summer.
What are two ways parents can help teachers educate their children?
Two important ways parents can help their children is to read with them nightly and talk to them—ask questions about what they are learning, ask questions that stimulates their minds.
What books have you read recently, for work purposes or for pleasure?
“Heaven Is for Real” by Todd Burpo.
Jerry Raymond
Jerry Raymond, 63, is the new principal of St. Thomas More School, Decatur.
A native of New Orleans, Raymond has served as principal of Pharr Elementary School, a Gwinnett County public school, for the past 12 years. He has been involved in education for 38 years and 13 years in Catholic schools.
He and his wife, Maria, attend St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn. They have three grown sons.
What was a fun summer job you once had a teenager?
Ice cream man.
What are two ways parents can help teachers educate their children?
Parents can best help their children by setting limitations and sticking to them and by spending time with them—talking to them, listening, doing fun activities, being a real family, setting an example, teaching them about the Catholic faith.
What books have you read recently, for work purposes or for pleasure?
“Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand and “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott Hahn.