UPDATED: New Catholic school administrators reflect on their role, importance of Catholic education
Several Catholic schools in the Jefferson City diocese have new principals for the upcoming academic year.
Here’s some information about them and their approach to Catholic education.
“Trust God’s plan”
When Kathy Harlan’s daughters left home after high school, she gave each of them a framed quote from St. Catherine of Siena:
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
“This is a great reminder to me, as well, when I face challenges,” said Mrs. Harlan, the new principal of Father McCartan Memorial School in Marceline.
“To me, this quote is humbling, reassuring and inspiring,” she said. “God put me in this place — what does God want me to do during this difficult time?”
Mrs. Harlan brings with her 30 years of experience in public education in Missouri: two years as an agriculture instructor and FFA Advisor in Keytesville and 28 years as a school counselor in schools including Glasgow, Salisbury, Westran in Huntsville, and Marceline.
“Catholic education is important because it not only prepares our students for academic challenges ahead, but also teaches them daily habits of Catholic formation which they can draw from in the future,” she said.
She grew up in mid-Missouri and has lived most of her life in Chariton County.
She and her husband Mike live in Salisbury and are members of St. Joseph Parish. They have two adult daughters.
“As a Catholic, I believe that my new role at Fr. McCartan is a true blessing from God,” Mrs. Harlan stated. “He placed me exactly where He wanted me to be at the right time of my life. I continue to trust in him and follow his plan for my future.”
She believes the purpose of a Catholic school is best summed up in Father McCartan Memorial School’s mission statement: “to provide a Christ-centered education so that students can grow academically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically to reach their full potential.”
She knows that her example, encouragement, support and leadership for the staff and students will be important to make the school’s mission successful.
“I need to continue to focus on our school’s mission and perform work to the Glory of our Lord,” she said.
She’s convinced that her role as a Catholic school administrator is to provide support for the faculty and staff in educating the students.
“A large part of that is instilling the Catholic faith in our daily tasks so that they become a part of who our students are when they leave our building,” she said.
She called to mind some advice her former principal, Matt Finch, an influential mentor, gave her.
“When decisions had to be made, he would always ask the most necessary question: ‘What is in the best interests of all our students?’” she recalled. “That was the basis for moving forward.”
Mr. Finch also reminded her that each day, good or bad, is a part of God’s plan, “and that my job is to trust God’s plan,” she said.
Her favorite prayer is the Rosary.
“I truly believe that the holy Rosary is the most powerful weapon of our time and I pray it daily,” she said.
She enjoys traveling with her husband to visit her daughters, and nieces and nephews.
Two of her favorite books are Loved As I Am, by Sister Miriam James Heidland, and My Sisters The Saints, by Colleen Carroll Campbell.
“Each tells a story of the author’s life and the important lessons learned as they relied on their Catholic faith,” she said. “They empower me to live a good Catholic life and to share my story, when possible, to encourage others.”
Mrs. Harlan believes that if a Catholic school is doing its job well, its graduates will go on to be academically successful in their future educational endeavors.
“But, most importantly, they will be strong Catholics who believe in the power of the Eucharist and importance of Holy Mass,” she said.
Likewise, she stated, they will spend the rest of their lives demonstrating their commitment to the Church and their love of the Lord, and will pass their beliefs onto their own children someday.
Seeing so many Fr. McCartan parents who were once students there shows her that the job has been done well there in the past.
“I am excited to do my part in continuing that success,” she said.
She asked for prayers for her and her colleagues at Father McCartan to “reach the needs of each student in a positive godly way to instill in them a strong educational foundation as well as a strong Catholic foundation.”
“Both will be so important when they leave the halls of our school,” she said.
“Loved by God”
Maggie Rush said that of the many responsibilities as a Catholic school administrator, “the most important role I must complete is the task of helping to lead the school community to a closer relationship with God.”
“In everything we do at Visitation, I must ensure that we are keeping the well-being of students in mind — especially their spiritual well-being,” said Ms. Rush, a graduate of Visitation Inter-Parish School in Vienna, and the school’s new principal.
She was raised on a small farm in Maries County, near Argyle and is a lifelong member of St. Aloysius Parish.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in middle school education and a master’s degree in educational leadership, both from William Woods University in Fulton.
She previously taught in public schools and is excited now to be a part of Catholic education.
She believes that the purpose of a Catholic school is “to provide students with a safe and structured environment to learn and grow into the person that God has created them to be.”
She’s convinced that Catholic education is important because it allows students to learn about the Catholic faith, and put that faith into practice every day.
“Catholic education provides opportunities for students to learn how to be disciples of Jesus and grow in their relationship and love of him,” she stated.
She said that if a Catholic school is successful, its graduates will have a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility.
“They will be active parishioners who take part in their parish community,” she said. “They’ll be on the path to forming a genuine relationship with Jesus.
“Most of all, they would know that they are loved by God,” she stated.
In her spare time, Ms. Rush enjoys playing musical instruments, reading, crafts, fishing and watching movies.
Her favorite prayer is titled, “Suscipe” (“Receive”), which is attributed to St. Ignatius Loyola:
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
“It helps me to remember that I need to surrender myself fully to God and his will,” she said. “He is enough.”
Being an organist at her parish, she knows and loves many hymns.
Among her favorites is the “Song of the Body of Christ.”
“It was the first song I played in church, and the words are truly beautiful,” she said. “They paint a beautiful picture about what it means to live as part of the Body of Christ.”
Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:4-9, which begins: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
“It is a wonderful reminder to me to pray instead of worrying,” she said.
Having received many words of wisdom from experienced educators, she believes the best came from a former teacher of hers who was an assistant principal while she was student teaching.
“He told me that when parents call in with concerns about the school,” she recalled, “it is important first to listen. They are always calling from a place of love and concern for their children. Always remember that parents just want what is best for their children.
“This has helped me tremendously thus far, and I believe it will continue to help me, especially in my new role as principal,” she said.
Ms. Rush asked for prayers for her to have the ability, courage, patience and understanding to do what God has called her to do.
“Only through prayer can these things be achieved,” she noted. “I ask that they pray for a successful school year full of growth opportunities for the students, their parents and the school.”
“Help them grow”
Tina Forbis believes a good sign of a successful Catholic school is when its graduates continue going to church and receive the Eucharist when they’re out on their own.
“It is wonderful seeing young adults coming to church by themselves or even with friends,” said Mrs. Forbis, the new principal of St. Stanislaus School in Wardsville.
She brings 17 years of teaching experience in Catholic schools into her role as a first-time school administrator.
“Everyone in the St. Stanislaus community has been very welcoming and helpful,” she stated. “I am very thrilled to begin my 18th year in the Diocese of Jefferson City as an administrator and excited to get to know everyone.”
She and her husband, Jay, have three children — a senior and a sophomore at Helias Catholic High School and a sixth-grader at St. Francis Xavier School in Taos.
They recently adopted a dog.
The family is very active in their home parish, St. Francis Xavier in Taos.
She said the purpose of a Catholic school is to “give our students a great education, help them to grow in their Catholic faith, and teach how to be the best versions of themselves in order to get to Heaven.”
She believes the principal’s role in all of this is to “lead by example, love what they do and have a passion to make a difference in the lives of those around them.”
She’s grateful for the advice she’s received from mentors, including that she will make mistakes and “that is okay.”
Her favorite Bible passage is Matthew 19:26: “With God, all things are possible.”
Whenever things get difficult, she turns to St. Jude Thaddeus, patron saint of lost causes or desperate cases, to intercede for her.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading and watching television, especially old sitcoms.
She asks everyone to pray daily for the entire St. Stanislaus School community — parents, students and staff.
“Everyone needs a daily prayer,” she said.
Grateful for support
“St. Mary School in Frankenstein is an amazing little school that I am proud to be part of and lead, with an incredibly supportive team and parish,” said Principal Bobbi Rankins.
Although new to the principal’s office, Ms. Rankins is starting her eighth year as an educator at St. Mary School. She recently completed her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
She knows it will be challenging to be principal while also teaching kindergarten, first and second grade at the school, “but I am grateful for the support of the parishioners, school families and teachers,” she said.
She believes her role as a Catholic school administrator is “to establish and maintain the mission of the school by leading the spiritual, educational and administrative duties that are necessary to the function of a successful school.”
The purpose of a Catholic school, she said, is to provide a supportive, safe environment that places a strong emphasis on Catholic values and a moral vision while encouraging healthy relationships.
A Catholic school must also help students deepen their relationship with Jesus and understand the importance of beginning each day with prayer and thanksgiving, she said.
She said it’s essential for children to grow up understanding the importance of prayer and having Jesus front and center in in their lives.
She’s convinced that if a Catholic school does its job well, its graduates will be “confident, well-educated students who see the good in others and know that God will get them through any challenges they might face.”
Ms. Rankins asked for prayers “for wisdom from God in supporting all students, families and teachers in the upcoming school year.”
Her favorite Bible verse is Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others.”
She enjoys spending her spare time with her family.
She said that some good advice a mentor once gave her is “Just breathe!”
