BY ERIKA ANDERSON

Staff Writer

Nanci Pearson Photo by Michael Alexander

ATLANTA--Named as principal of Our Lady of Victory Elementary School in Tyrone, Nanci Pearson is excited about instilling a passion for learning in her students.

She developed a love for elementary education while teaching at St. Anthony’s School in the West End for two years and serving as the first lay principal there from 1991-93. She also taught English at Georgia State University for 15 years and at the Marist School, Atlanta, for eight years.

“Because my background is in high school, I had no idea I would enjoy elementary education so much until I came to St. Anthony’s,” she said. “Those students have an excitement about learning that is genuine and that really stayed in my mind and heart.”

Her most recent position as the English department chair at Yeshiva High School, an orthodox Jewish school, has made her appreciate her Catholic faith at a deeper level. She hopes that dedication will be evident at Our Lady of Victory.

“A Catholic educational environment should allow students and teachers to really live out Gospel teachings,” she said. “It should really endeavor to encourage others to live out the Gospel in simple ways--respecting each other and treating each other like we should--and that’s really difficult in this world.”

A South Carolina native, Pearson received her bachelor’s degree in Latin and English in 1971 from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, S.C., a master of arts in teaching English from the University of South Carolina in 1975 and a master’s in educational administration and supervision from Georgia State in 1993.

She hopes to communicate her love of literature to students at the new school, which will serve 250 pupils in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“Enthusiasm and love for learning is contagious. I think I bring a love for literature and a very diverse background in literature that I can feed into the curriculum,” she said. “I hope I can enrich the literature program, as well as emphasize the profound need for good writing skills.”

A parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, Atlanta, Pearson said she will also relate to school feeder parishes, which include St. Philip Benizi, Jonesboro, Holy Trinity, Peachtree City, St. Gabriel, Fayetteville, St. Matthew, Fairburn, and St. George, Newnan.

“I really hope my experience and involvement (at Sacred Heart) has broadened my thinking and perspective and has made me appreciate the history and diversity in the Catholic Church,” she said. “I don’t want the children to tolerate others...but to truly celebrate the diversity of the human spectrum. In order to do that, you have to first accept, then appreciate, then celebrate diversity. As the leader of this school, I have to model that.”

“I was excited that this is the school that I was given because there is a genuine need for Catholic education on the south side,” she added. “I want to be a strong advocate and a voice for promoting Catholic education on the south side.”

Pearson also said that it is important to her to collaborate with those involved in the school. “I have to formulate goals after I have met and listened to and had conversations with the communities who will define what Our Lady of Victory will be,” she said. “I may have personal goals as an educator, but my goals will be clarified with the interaction of the community.”

“It’s an exciting time to be in Catholic education in Atlanta because, without question, the archbishop is dedicated to the growth of Catholic education,” she said. “There are a lot of challenges in education today and to be a part of a school from the ground up challenges me not only as a professional, but as a Catholic.”