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BY ERIKA ANDERSON
Staff Writer
ATLANTA--As she begins her job as assistant superintendent of
Catholic schools, Judith Mucheck hopes to establish a community and provide a
base of support for the leaders of archdiocesan schools.
The Ohio native was appointed to the position July 1 by Sandra
Smith, Ph.D., superintendent of Catholic schools.
Smith said that Mucheck will focus primarily on the transition
from the upper grades of the elementary schools into the archdiocesan high
schools, including St. Pius X High School in Atlanta and the two new high
schools scheduled to open in the fall of 2000. The new high schools are Blessed
Trinity at Highway 92 and Woodstock Road in northwest Fulton County and Our
Lady of Mercy at Highway 138 and Holyfield Highway near the north Fayette
County border with south Fulton County.
“She will really be making sure that when our children
graduate from eighth grade they have the proper skill for high school,”
Smith said. “It’s wonderful to have her on board with all of her
expertise.”
Mucheck, a former Religious, most recently served as building
principal at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School in Chardon, Ohio, from 1994-99.
She has over 13 years’ experience in education, including two positions as
an assistant principal, as well as several years of teaching experience.
Mucheck earned her bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College
of Ohio in 1985 and received her master’s degree in education from the
University of Dayton in 1993. She has also completed additional course work at
Boston College and at Cleveland State University. She is certified in Ohio as
an assistant superintendent, principal and teacher.
Mucheck said she is excited about her new job in Atlanta.
“Obviously there is an awful lot of growth in the
archdiocese,” she said. “... There is a lot of excitement and energy
there.”
In addition to working with the upper grades of the elementary
schools and the high schools to allow for smooth transitions, Mucheck will also
work on admissions criteria and curriculum.
“Professionally, one of my biggest strengths is long-range
planning,” she said. “Because we are at ground zero with the new high
schools, the arena for long-range planning is wide open.”
Mucheck is a strong supporter of Catholic education, having
attended Catholic schools and worked in them.
“I firmly believe that all students, no matter what age, need
a faith community,” she said. “Catholic education provides a more
holistic approach to the growth of a student. When you can infuse that faith
element, it rounds it out very nicely.”
Mucheck said that the biggest challenge for her will be the size
difference. In the Cleveland Diocese where she formerly worked, there were 270
Catholic elementary schools and 26 high schools. In the Archdiocese of Atlanta,
in addition to the high school and two future high schools, there are 13
elementary schools, with three new elementary schools opening this fall. The
new elementary schools are Our Lady of Victory in Tyrone, Holy Redeemer in
Alpharetta and Queen of Angels in northwest Fulton County.
“I always have to remind myself that there is a significant
difference in size,” she said. “Unlike Cleveland, it really is
possible to know all the principals. I’m hoping to really nurture a
community among the leaders of the schools so that they know that they’re
not out there on a limb alone.”
Mucheck, because she has had the chance to look at Catholic
education from a variety of levels, has come to appreciate education even
more.
“The best thing about education is that there is a constant
renewal every single year that keeps the teachers excited about their
jobs,” she said. “I loved teaching. I absolutely loved it.”
Mucheck said that she is very confident of the success of the new
schools.
“There are so many people in this archdiocese who are
committed to the growth of education. It’s not only a monetary commitment,
but people really feel ownership of the schools,” she said. “My hope
is for continued growth and a lot of success. I don’t think there is any
way we can fail.” |
