Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Atlanta

New principals take charge of three Catholic schools

By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer | Published August 20, 2015

ATLANTA—Three Catholic schools have new administrators as the 2015-2016 school year begins. The new principals/heads of school, who will serve at Holy Spirit Upper School, Atlanta, St. Joseph School, Athens, and Sophia Academy, Atlanta, are introduced here as they also talk about the teachers who helped them believe in their talents.

 

Jocelyn Sotomayor Photo By Michael Alexander

Jocelyn Sotomayor
Photo By Michael Alexander

Jocelyn Sotomayor, Upper School Principal at Holy Spirit Prep School, Atlanta

Previous position: High school assistant principal at Pinecrest Academy in Cumming, where she served for the past eight years.

Background: Jocelyn Sotomayor holds master’s degrees in education (counseling) and administration of human services programs and at Pinecrest her role included leading curriculum development and managing the academic progress of the high school. She also helped shape the independent Catholic school’s guidance and college counseling programs. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she previously worked in high school administration and guidance counseling in the capital of San Juan. She is a parishioner of Good Shepherd Church in Cumming. She succeeds Tommy Curtin, who has been named assistant head of school at Holy Spirit Prep, an independent Catholic school from pre-K2 through 12th grade.

What’s the best part about being a principal?

JS: Witnessing students grow, mature and transform into young men and women is definitely the best part of being a principal. It is such a privilege to be part of our families’ lives, to help them navigate the Upper School successfully, and celebrate their children’s accomplishments. It is also exciting to work closely with the teachers, supporting them, motivating them and helping them always remember, even during difficult times, that they have the best, most rewarding job in the world.

Please tell us about a special teacher who inspired you to become an educator and how the teacher did it?

JS: The one that stands out is Miss Piñeiro, my ninth-grade Spanish teacher. She was professional, had a great passion for the subject she taught, and cared deeply for her students. She was the first person to ever tell me that I had great potential to become a leader, and she looked for opportunities throughout the year to talk to me about the importance of making good decisions and always striving to be a good role model. I always think about her as a great example of what a Catholic woman and a great teacher should be.

What was a summer job you had as a teenager?

JS: I worked as a summer camp counselor at the same camp I attended as a child. At different times during those six years, I was a group counselor, dance and/or gymnastics instructor and kitchen aide, among other responsibilities.

I remember having a group of 5-year-old girls that would need to take a nap after lunch just to make it to the end of the day. They were so young and needed me so much. The year after, I had a group of 12-year-old girls that did not want to stop all day. After lunch we would have intense volleyball games against the boys. I am proud to say that we won more times than the boys did. I have so many great memories of those years!

What are two ways parents can help teachers educate their children?

JS: First, there has to be close communication between teachers and parents. What happens at home has an effect in the classroom and vice versa. Children need to see that teachers and parents are working together and that they are on the same page. This will help them feel safe and stable.

Second, parents need to always remember that they are their children’s primary educators. Schools and parents work together, but schools will not be able to provide students with the unique love, care and understanding that only parents can provide.

How did you spend your summer vacation?

JS: As a family, we went camping to St. Rosa Beach in Florida and to Don Carter State Park in Gainesville, Georgia. We love camping! I have spent most of my summer preparing for my new job at Holy Spirit Prep.

What books have you read recently for work purposes or for pleasure?

JS: For pleasure, I just read a book called “Smart but Scattered,” to learn more about helping students with attention and processing challenges. A great read for parents and teachers! Right now, I am reading “Motivating and Inspiring Teachers” by Todd Whitaker. I read this book several years ago and found it very useful, so I am reading it again. My teachers are a very important part of my job and I have ultimate respect for what they do every day in the classroom. I pray to always be a strong leader for them.

 

Ramon Villacura Photo By Michael Alexander

Ramon Villacura
Photo By Michael Alexander

Ramon Villacura, Principal of St. Joseph School, Athens

Previous position: This is my first year as a school leader. I have been a world language teacher and I have been a member of school leadership teams in the past. I have also worked in business and educational consulting. I am combining my MBA with my master’s in school leadership.

Background: Ramon Villacura has been teaching world language and literature at Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, since 2012 and previously taught Spanish from 2003-2012 in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. He holds master’s degrees in business administration and in educational leadership. In the Diocese of Charlotte, he has been involved in analyzing students’ performance data and also integrated technology in the classroom and mentored new school staff members. A native of Chile, he has received several teaching awards and has been active in coaching high school rugby in North Carolina. St. Joseph Parish School, Athens, is pre-K through eighth grade.

What’s the best part about being a principal?

RV: Being granted the opportunity to help our children to believe that there is room in our lives for faith, caring, service and innovation. I am so excited about being able to help them to believe in service to others for the greater glory of God.

Please tell us about a special teacher who inspired you to become an educator and how the teacher did it?

RV: I had a professor in college that helped me to understand learning/school does not have to be boring. We just need to make sure we are reaching out to every kid, focusing on their special gifts and talents. That way we will never have a kid without the desire to learn. On another hand, I also learned from him the school is as good as its teachers. A happy and dedicated teacher will have happy and dedicated students; so we need to make sure we help our teachers to be happy with what they do.

What was a summer job you had as a teenager?

RV: I cleaned pools. At that time there were no special filters, so we had to empty the pool and clean with giants swabs and detergents. It was exhausting. I brought a sandwich to the pool manager to secure the job. I was 13.

What are two ways parents can help teachers educate their children?

RV: Go to church every Sunday and come to see what we do in our school to educate your child.

How did you spend your summer vacation?

RV: Learning about my new school, preparing surveys to my teachers and meeting each and every one of them before even starting on July 1. It has been good because I hit the ground running. No vacation for me this summer.

What books have you read recently for work purposes or for pleasure?

RV: I am reading again “Driven by Data” by Paul Bambrick. This is my second time. I am reading it again to help my teachers, at one point, to use data to improve instruction. The other book I have is “Candles in the Dark,” the biography of Father (Richard) Ho Lung by Joseph Pearce. Father Ho Lung was the founder of the Missionaries of the Poor, a mission I have been involved with for some time. The mission itself and Father Ho Lung have changed the way I believe my mission is. We are here to serve others, not to be served. Learning about a man like him is very special.

 

Jenni Ellis Photo By Michael Alexander

Jenni Ellis
Photo By Michael Alexander

Jenni Ellis, Head of School at Sophia Academy, Atlanta

Previous position: Assistant principal at Marist School, Atlanta, for the past eight years and acting principal in 2010 during the principal’s sabbatical.

Background: Jenni Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education, a certificate in gifted education and a master of library media degree. After teaching middle school, she helped open Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell, and later became assistant principal. At Marist School since 2004, she has been director of student activities, director of the middle school Foundations Program and assistant principal. She is a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Atlanta, where she is a Stephen Minister. At Sophia Academy she succeeds Marie Corrigan, school founder and the first head of school, who retired in June. Sophia Academy is a Marist-sponsored independent Catholic school, serving those with learning differences in K through 12th grade.

What’s the best part about being a head of school?

JE: The best part for me is not the position of head of school but being able to serve the Sophia Academy community.

Please tell us about a special teacher who inspired you to become an educator and how the teacher did it?

JE: Mrs. Nancy Gray, my high school biology teacher, was a huge influence on me. She gently but firmly challenged me to push myself to the next level. Her approach made all the difference.

What was a summer job you had as a teenager?

JE: The most enjoyable summer job I had was serving at the dessert counter at Winfield’s Restaurant, which has unfortunately closed. I got to tell the customers about each of our desserts. I then prepared and plated each dessert for the servers to deliver to the tables. It was a blast. Everyone loves dessert!

What are two ways parents can help teachers educate their children?

JE: Teachers have lots of students to get to know at the beginning of the year. Write your child’s teacher an email to introduce yourself and your child. Let the teacher know about your child’s strengths and challenges. Give the teacher information about what makes your child’s heart sing—it may be a special family pet, karate or something completely different, such as a love of ‘80s music. This information will help the teacher get to know your child much more quickly and will provide opportunities for the teacher to connect with your child. This connection will help pave the way for a solid relationship between your child and the teacher, which will contribute to a successful school year. When your child comes home from school with information about something that happened at school, listen empathetically to your child and then contact your child’s teacher to get his/her perspective on the situation.

 How did you spend your summer vacation?

JE: I have spent the summer getting to know the faculty and staff at Sophia and preparing for the coming school year. I am extremely excited for the students to be back at school.

 What books have you read recently for work purposes or for pleasure?

JE: I am currently reading “The Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson. I recently finished “The Organic God” by Margaret Feinberg and “The Hardest Peace” by Kara Tippetts. Reading about the spiritual journey of others is incredibly inspiring and contributes to the deepening of my own relationship with God.