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By Gretchen Keiser, Staff Writer
ATLANTA—Stephen W. Spellman, an educator with 24 years of
experience in the Gwinnett County school system, has been named the new
principal of St. Pius X High School, Atlanta.
A resident of Lilburn and a member of St. Stephen the Martyr
Church, Spellman, 52, has been the executive director to the superintendent and
board of education of Gwinnett County for the past seven years. His appointment
is effective July 1.
He succeeds Donald T. Sasso, who was named Secretary for Education
of the archdiocese in April. Ruth McCullough has been serving as interim
principal since April.
Spellman “brings a wealth of experience and achievement to
his new position of leadership at St. Pius X High School,” Sasso said.
“I am confident he will continue to advance St. Pius X in the years to
come.”
Married to a St. Pius graduate of the class of 1970, the former
Maureen O’Shea, Spellman holds an educational specialist’s degree in
administration and supervision from the University of Georgia and master’s
certification in social sciences education and a bachelor’s degree in
social sciences education from the University of Georgia. He also holds a
master’s degree in administration and supervision from Atlanta University.
He taught advanced social studies courses and coached swimming and
assisted as football coach for five years at Briarcliff High School in DeKalb
County from 1970-75.
From 1976-84, he taught at Central Gwinnett High School and served
as defensive coordinator for the football program and head track coach for boys
and girls. From 1984-89, he worked at South Gwinnett High School, where he
taught advanced social studies, served as head football coach, coordinated the
Governor’s Honors program and worked in administration of student
discipline, observing and evaluating faculty and coordinating the at-risk
instruction program.
From 1989-93 he served as director of athletics, extracurriculars
and community schools for Gwinnett County public schools, a position which
oversaw these activities for 11 high schools and14 middle schools and 11
community school programs and directors.
As executive director to the superintendent of Gwinnett County
public schools since 1993, he has been responsible for developing, interpreting
and distributing board of education policy and procedures, monitoring legal
activity, coordinating liaison committees with teachers and other community
groups and planning the board’s monthly agenda.
He was chosen Gwinnett County “Teacher of the Year” in
1980 and 1986 and was also a semifinalist for state “Teacher of the
Year” those two years. He was South Gwinnett High School STAR Teacher in
1989 and was also given outstanding coaching recognition by the Gwinnett Daily
News and the Gwinnett Extra of the Atlanta Journal Constitution in 1986.
A sponsor of the Fellowship for Christian Athletes while teaching
high school, Spellman has taught religious education at St. John Neumann
Church, Lilburn, and served as campaign chair for the Gwinnett County United
Way.
He and his wife have two children, Greg, a junior at Parkview High
School, and Megan, an eighth-grader at Trickum Middle School.
In a letter to parents at St. Pius High School, the Secretary for
Education said the new principal was also highly recommended by his pastor and
“has developed a wonderful balance in his personal, spiritual and
professional life.”
He asked the school community “to welcome Steve Spellman as
you did me nine years ago and keep him and his family in your prayers.”
“I believe we are blessed at St. Pius X to welcome Mr.
Spellman as one of our educational leaders in the Archdiocese of Atlanta,”
Sasso said. |
