By Erika Anderson

Staff Writer

TYRONE-Sallie McQuaid, former principal of St. John the Evangelist School in Hapeville, has been named principal of Our Lady of Victory School, effective Dec. 9.

McQuaid, who served from 1988-1994 as principal of St. John the Evangelist, led the school to earn a National School of Excellence title in 1994.

McQuaid replaces Nanci Pearson, founding principal of Our Lady of Victory School. According to Msgr. Peter Dora, vicar general, Pearson's remaining contract was bought out by the archdiocese.

McQuaid earned a bachelor's degree in special education from New York State University at Buffalo in 1965. In 1977, she earned her master's degree in education from Niagara University, as well as, a specialist certification in administration and supervision of education.

Her teaching career began in Florida, where she taught middle school and worked as an itinerant speech clinician in Tampa. She relocated to Honolulu, where she taught for two years, from 1983-1985. In 1986, she moved to Atlanta and began teaching at St. John the Evangelist. She was named principal in 1988.

McQuaid has been married for 41 years to a retired Army Colonel. The couple has four children and five grandchildren.

Excited to be in a position of leading a new school, McQuaid said she hopes to continue the positive things that have been happening in the school since it opened in September.

"I really feel that the faculty and staff are still in a creative mode," she said. "They are still putting into place original things."

McQuaid said that this is a big change from her role as the first lay principal at St. John the Evangelist, where the Mercy Sisters had spent years establishing a solid foundation.

"Anyone would love to be at the ground floor of building this faith community," she said. "We have beautiful facilities here. I walk around here everyday with my eyes open. I can't believe how much we have at our fingertips."

McQuaid is confident that the faculty and staff are "dedicated to offering learning experiences that build the community of Christ."

"We want each student to be the best that they can be...," she said. "We are preparing Catholic Christian leaders for the 21st century-in a brand new school. That's what's so exciting."

Sandra Smith, Ph.D., superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese, affirmed McQuaid.

"I am pleased that Mrs. McQuaid has assumed the leadership of Our Lady of Victory. She has served as principal of St. John the Evangelist, is a resident of the community of Fayetteville and is committed to the development of Catholic education for the children of the region," she said. "One of her goals is building community in the larger community of Fayette County. Plans are being developed for a health fair for the public in the spring of 2000."

McQuaid was retired when she decided to return to education as the principal of Our Lady of Victory. She admits it has taken a heavy personal commitment and support from her family, but she feels secure knowing she is doing God's work.

"I just really feel that this is where the Lord wants me," she said.

NEW LEADERSHIP -- As principal of Our Lady of Victory School, Tyrone, Sallie McQuaid will lead one of the archdiocese’s newest schools into the 21stcentury.
Photo by Michael Alexander