By Gretchen Keiser, Staff Writer

	Sandra N. Smith

ATLANTA—Sandra N. Smith, Ph.D., who has served as superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese for the past four years has resigned her position as of June 30.

She will be succeeded by Judith Mucheck, who has been serving as assistant superintendent of Catholic schools.

In a statement, the outgoing superintendent cited the unique roles played in Catholic schools by principals, teachers, parents and professionals.

“Visits to our schools have always been a source of joy,” she stated. “Interaction with the teachers and students always provided me with the knowledge that our schools are nurturing a life-orienting faith, fulfilling an academic purpose of high expectations, and promoting a commitment to service and to community.”

Smith cited her interaction with Catholic school principals in the direction and supervision of the schools, the development of an annual evaluation program for principals, the development of instruments for evaluation of instruction in the elementary schools and the revision of archdiocesan policies for students, personnel and curriculum as sources of satisfaction in her work.

She also noted an increase of four professional personnel in the Office of Catholic Education, extending services in curriculum development, staff development, educational technology and psychological testing to 16 schools.

While the three new Catholic elementary schools opened in 1999, Smith said, “under the leadership of Judith Mucheck, the conceptualization, design and building of the two new high schools will be a reality in August 2000.”

“It has been a privilege to be a part of this journey,” Smith stated.

	Judith Mucheck

Mucheck holds a bachelor of science degree in biology and secondary education from Notre Dame College of Ohio and a master of science in educational administration from the University of Dayton, Ohio. She has taken additional course work in education at Boston College and Cleveland State University.

She is a member of the National Catholic Educators Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She has been a secondary school teacher of biology, anatomy and religion, a department chairperson, assistant principal and principal in Catholic high schools in Chardon, Warren, Lorain and Cleveland, Ohio.

Since coming to the Archdiocese of Atlanta as assistant superintendent of Catholic schools last July, she has participated in all phases of high school development, worked on curriculum revision with the St. Pius X High School community, conducted in-services for elementary schools and worked on science and language arts curriculum in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“The ministry of education in our church is one to which I am deeply committed,” Mucheck said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with the principals and wider school communities in this new assignment. All of us are grateful to Dr. Smith for her contributions to our schools and communities over the last four years. All of us wish her well.”