Queen Grady, Principal Sts. Peter and Paul Photo by Michael Alexander

BY ERIKA ANDERSON

Staff Writer

DECATUR--Though new in her role as principal of Sts. Peter and Paul School, Queen Grady is not a new face in the school or the parish.

Grady was appointed principal of Sts. Peter and Paul School July 1 by Sandra Smith, Ph.D., superintendent of Catholic schools.

An experienced teacher and educator, Grady has been a parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul Church for 15 years and her three children, now college age, also attended the parish school.

“My kids tell me to this day that all the inspirations they’ve received have come from this school,” she said. “This school really laid the foundation for them in being able to identify who they are and what they are about.”

Grady is excited to lead the Catholic school after being in the Newton County school system for 25 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Morris Brown College in Atlanta in 1971 and went on to earn her master’s degree in elementary education from Georgia State University 10 years later. She is currently pursuing a specialist degree in administration from Troy State University in Phenix City, Ala.

Grady began her career in 1984, teaching fourth and fifth grades at Heard-Mixon Elementary School in Covington, where she has served as assistant principal since 1987. She has won numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year in 1978 and 1987 and Newton County Association Educator of the Year in 1986.

Grady said that she jumped at the chance to become the principal of Sts. Peter and Paul.

“After discovering that this position was available, I knew this opportunity was just unbelievable,” she said. “It allowed me to come to another place that I considered home. It is really the blessings of the Father.”

Grady is the first lay principal of Sts. Peter and Paul, which has been served by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Philadelphia for over 35 years. Due to a decline in members, the sisters were withdrawn from the school by their order in June.

“The sisters will be very dearly missed,” Grady said. “They were such an intricate part of the education process. Even though they aren’t here, their presence is here. They’ve laid the foundation for this school and I’m convinced their legacy will linger on.”

After educating in the public schools, Grady is excited about the opportunity to discuss her faith openly.

In the public schools “we would have time for silent reflection, but here we don’t have to be silent,” she said. “We can talk openly about God and not have to go around it. I am just truly looking forward to being able to read God’s word and not have to look over my shoulder to make sure I don’t get in trouble.”

Grady said she wants to put a major emphasis in the curriculum on reading and writing and she hopes to continue to instill an “I can” attitude in the students.

“I want to help them to be able to succeed, not by intimidation, not by threats, but by creating an atmosphere that is conducive to learning, where they feel supported,” she said.

Support begins with the teaching staff, many of whom are also new to Sts. Peter and Paul, and making sure they feel supported also, the principal said.

“We are a team,” she said. “This school is our home away from home and we need to be able to relate and feel very comfortable and close to the people we work with. I hope to be able to continue that team approach and that family atmosphere.”

Grady believes that she will bring an enthusiasm into the school and hopes that her excitement is contagious.

“I want to provide students the opportunity to learn in a fun way,” she said. “I want the teachers to create that element of excitement into their students so that they make learning fun ... I want the students to jump out of bed in the mornings excited to come to school.”

Above all, Grady hopes to have a “very supportive, very nurturing, very warm climate.”

“My goal is for the school to continue to be a success,” she said. “That’s my ultimate goal.”