Print Issue: May 16, 2002

Mousseau Named As Principal of Our Lady of Victory School July 1

By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer

TYRONE - Craig Mousseau is excited to return to his first love - Catholic education.

The 44-year-old has been named as the new principal of Our Lady of Victory School. His appointment will be effective July 1.

A native of upstate New York, Mousseau received his bachelor's degree in elementary and early secondary education from the State University of New York, Albany, in 1979. In 1987, he earned his master of education degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa.

For 12 years, Mousseau served as a teacher in schools in New York, Puerto Rico and Florida, and for five years as a principal in two Florida Catholic schools. He is currently the director of the upper school at the Academy at the Lakes Day School in Land O'Lakes, Fla., a private non-sectarian school, where he has worked since 1997.

Mousseau said he is looking forward to his new position, one that will allow him to openly express his faith. He recalled an instance at his current school when he was reprimanded when the cross he was wearing around his neck accidentally came out of his shirt.

"I thought, 'I am not long for this place,'" he said.

Mousseau believes that Catholic schools attract a "different type of student" and a special environment.

"There is just a different atmosphere when you walk into a Catholic school-in the fact that people treat you with respect and people treat you the way that Jesus would treat you," he said. "There is also a stronger sense of community. Catholic schools have a true, true community of people working together for a common goal."

Having visited OLV, Mousseau said he was impressed with the welcome he has received.

"It's a beautiful school and the people I have already met have been so warm," he said. "It's a wonderful place."

Hoping to build on the solid Catholic foundation already in place at OLV, Mousseau said he will first "sit back and listen."

"I want to hear what the people want," he said. "My goal is to make Our Lady of Victory the best Catholic elementary school I possibly can in the A-rchdiocese of Atlanta."

The recipe for a strong Catholic environment, Mousseau believes, calls for three ingredients.

"You have to have the heads to know, the hearts to love and the hands to do," he said. "I want it be academically strong...for the people to love one another . . . and to make community service part of their lives."