John Mayer, Principal, St. Anthony and Our Lady of Lourdes Schools

BY ERIKA ANDERSON

Staff Writer

ATLANTA--Bringing with him nearly 25 years of experience in private schools, John Mayer is excited about his new role as principal of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Anthony’s Schools in Atlanta.

Mayer was appointed principal July 1 by Sandra Smith, Ph.D., superintendent of Catholic schools.

A native of Connecticut, Mayer, 47, attended the University of Bridgeport on an athletic scholarship and received his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1974. He moved to Atlanta and began his first job at St. Joseph’s High School. After St. Joseph’s closed in 1976, Mayer began a career at Pace Academy in Atlanta, where he stayed for 23 years.

“I was very fortunate to be at Pace for 23 years, but 23 years is a long time,” he said. “I was ready for something new and someone at Pace will be able to come in and look at things differently than I did.”

While at Pace, Mayer earned a master’s degree in counseling and psychological services and completed 25 graduate hours toward a master’s degree in administration and supervision. He chaired the physical education department for five years and became athletic director in 1984.

From 1982-88, Mayer was a guidance counselor for grades 10 through 12. He then became a counselor for grades seven through nine and from 1993-99 was the junior high director and guidance counselor. The counselor’s role, he said, helped him have an impact on the lives of students.

“It’s the type of work I really enjoy, being able to be there to pick them up and help dust them off,” he said. “Sometimes trial and error works with kids and they learn that sometimes they have to fall down to get up.”

Above all, he enjoyed watching the students mature and learn from their mistakes.

“It was fun to watch them grow,” he said. “You counsel them and watch them grow when they come in as seventh-graders, and when they walk across the stage at graduation, they are totally different children.”

Mayer also coached Pace soccer teams, where he has a record of over 200 wins and fewer than 50 losses. He was the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association State Soccer Coach of the Year in 1981, 1988 and 1993, and the Southeastern Soccer Coach of the Year in 1993. He also received the 1989 Pace Academy Excellence in Teaching award. He believes that students can learn a lot from being involved in school athletics.

“Working with a team and learning to rely on someone else is so important,” he said. “It’s really helping them to be a whole different person.”

As the principal of two schools, St. Anthony’s in the West End and Our Lady of Lourdes on Boulevard, Mayer has his work cut out for him. He said he plans on having a set schedule regarding where he will be on certain days and wants to be accessible to parents.

“I want to have a presence in both schools,” he said. “I’m also looking forward to trying to get involved in both parishes in some ways so I can get to know the families.”

Though Pace is a private school, Mayer is excited to be in the Catholic environment of Lourdes and St. Anthony’s.

“There is a spirit that can be permeated throughout a Catholic school that really sets the tone for the environment,” he said. “It helps younger children early on to be sensitive and to be anchored in faith.”

The father of two college-aged children, Mayer said that he is looking forward to working with elementary school children, as Pace Academy starts in the seventh grade.

“Those younger children just kind of light up when you walk into the room,” he said. “I’m looking forward to really learning about that age child.”

The first thing Mayer plans to do is get to know his staff.

“I want to call all the teachers and meet with them for a cup of coffee or a coke and just sit and talk to them about their ideas,” he said. “I want to know what they expect from me and what they expect from the school.”

Mayer said that he is looking forward to leading a school into the new millennium.

“There’s just so much excitement that goes with it,” he said. “I feel prepared, excited and rejuvenated.”

Most of all, Mayer is looking forward to applying everything he has learned from his peers and administrators.

“I’ve learned a lot in 23 years,” he said. “I’ve had some great administrators over the years that I’ve learned from and I’ve also developed my own style. I’m excited for the chance to use it.”