|
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.
|
