BY KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writer

LILBURN--Sister Dawn Gear, GNSH, has been named a recipient of the 1996 Distinguished Principal Award for the South Atlantic States Region IV.

The award is presented by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) annually to 12 principals in the U.S. Sister Gear will receive her award April 9 at the NCEA convention in Philadelphia.

The award was established in honor of Sister Miriam Joseph Farrell, PBVM, who served as executive secretary of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools until her death in 1970. Criteria for nominations and selection for this award include a minimum of 10 years' service as a teacher in Catholic elementary education, a clear philosophy of education, proven effectiveness in the classroom, high regard by one's peers and membership in the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. Maureen Kane, superintendent of schools, nominated Sister Gear for the award.

"I have been able to attend the annual NCEA banquet to witness the caliber of dedicated educational leaders chosen each year," Ms. Kane said. "Sister Dawn deserves to be included among this group."

For the last nine years Sister Gear has served as founding principal of St. John Neumann Regional School in Lilburn, the last Catholic school built in the archdiocese. From an initial enrollment of 160 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has grown to its current enrollment of 617 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

"The single most important reason why St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School has reached the stature it has achieved is because of the leadership shown by Sister Dawn," said John Kingery, a parent of two children at St. John Neumann School. "As principal she truly enjoys her work and is able to motivate those around her to give their best."

The school earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1990. In only its eighth year of existence St. John Neumann was named a national School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education in 1994.

"In order to achieve such high standards in so little time, a school must have a powerful leader," said Ms. Kane. "Sister Dawn is that leader."

In April 1995 Sister Gear was named principal of the Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan School, effective when the new school opens in August 1996.

"Sister Dawn's energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to Catholic education never seems to wane," said Sister Patricia Baber, RSM, principal of St. Joseph's School, Marietta. "Sister Dawn has provided each school that has been blessed to have her, great vision and inspiration. People respond to her love and dedication and eagerly join to be a part of a success story."

A graduate of D'Youville College in Buffalo, N.Y., Sister Gear received a master's degree in education in 1979 and a specialist degree in administration from Georgia State University in 1989.

Taught in Catholic schools herself in Mont Clare, Penn., where she grew up, Sister Gear worked in elementary schools for 14 years before coming to St. Pius X High School in 1979. A teacher for five years in Jackson Heights, N.Y., for four years in Philadelphia and for four years at Christ the King in Atlanta, she has taught every grade except first. Sister Gear taught at St. Pius for three years before becoming the assistant dean of students in 1982.

She has served in a variety of positions for the Atlanta Conference of Sisters from 1979 to 1985 including a three-year term as president. She is also a former member of the Archdiocesan Board of Education, serving as vice president for the 1990-91 academic year. Sister Gear is currently a member of the Archdiocesan Committee for the Advancement of Catholic Schools.