Q: How long have you been principal at your school? Is it your first principal position?
This is my first principal position and my first year. I taught here for three years. I taught first grade, and then I had the privilege of staying home for the last six [years] with my three boys. Now I am back in a leadership role and trying to learn all the ins and outs of being on this side.
Q: What made you want to lead a Catholic school specifically?
If you would have asked me nine years ago when I started here, if I was going to be a principal, I’d have been like, ‘No way. I love the classroom.’ At the time, our pastor was Father [Brandon] Farrar, and he planted a seed and just said, ‘Hey, Laura, have you ever thought about being a principal?’ I looked at him like, ‘You’re crazy. No way.’ And he just kept giving little nudges.
Then Father Carter [Zielinski] came . . . and just kept nudging me to be a principal, and I’m like, ‘I don’t know what you guys see.’
Father [Colin] Haganey is now with us, and our principal retired last year. We were sitting in a meeting and he said, ‘Hey, Laura, have you thought about being a principal?’ And I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, maybe I should listen to these three important guys!’
So, my husband and I discerned and listened to the Holy Spirit and just let him guide us. So, here I am! I’m the principal and in the middle of getting my masters, so I’m learning how to direct the ship while directing the ship. I’m just trusting in God that he has me in the right spot. I wouldn’t be here without those three priests.
Q: Tell me about a moment that reminded you why you do this job.
I lead prayer in the morning, . . . and we are really trying to instill virtues in the students. How we’re doing that this year is I’m addressing it in prayer, and then we’re addressing it in the classroom, and then we’re holding kids accountable positively for their virtues that we’re seeing throughout the school.
At the end of the cycle with [a particular] virtue, we acknowledge the kiddos that are virtuous. Then they get to call home and tell their parents that they’re virtuous. I just literally did that before you called me, and I had tears in my eyes. It’s probably my mom heart, too, but just to see their face and hear the parents on the other end share that joy with them, that they were being who Jesus created us to be, is why we’re here. It’s not because we’re getting great test scores, which obviously is great, too, but we’re all trying to get to heaven, so we’ll just do it together. Those are the moments that keep me here.
Q: What’s one thing happening at your school right now that people outside of the building or community may not know about?
We’re in the middle of a capital campaign for a new building. Right now, we are housed in a 100-year-old building, which has so much history and character, but also so many things that have failed us. We are one-third of the way there, and we are doing really well. November marks the second year [of fundraising].
Q: What’s something your school does that you’re proud of?
We get to do everything together. We pray together, we play together, we eat together, and as much as we can, we learn together. We have grown significantly since I started teaching here — we had 50 or 60 students, and now we’re at 96. . . . There are so many leadership opportunities for the kids to lead the younger ones.
Q: If a student had to describe you in one word, what would it be — and would you agree?
Loving. I want them to feel they’re loved here. I want to be their school mom and value them and make them feel safe as they walk through the door. I’m kind but I’m very consistent.
Q: Outside of school, what’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Not many people know that . . . I played softball in college. That’s where I met my husband, who brought me into the faith, so I really think that’s where this all started.
Q: What’s one word or phrase you find yourself saying to students or staff all the time?
I have two: ‘We can do hard things’ . . . and ‘We want the Sacred Heart to be the heartbeat of our school.’
Q: Vacation in the mountains or at the beach?
This is a hard one. . . but I would have to say the beach!
