School staffs have advocate in CSAANYS' new director

Carol Geddis wants to make life a little easier for Catholic school principals and their staffs.

"Sometimes, it's an overwhelming job. You have a lot on your plate," said Mrs. Geddis, the new director of the Catholic School Administrators Association of New York State (CSAANYS). "We ask administrators: 'What do you need? How can we support you?'"

She plans to connect with administrators in the Albany Diocese and across New York State to ascertain their needs regarding professional development and the many complicated aspects of their day-to-day life -- from dealing with accreditation and school governance to strategic planning and increasing educational excellence.

Resource center

CSAANYS has a number of functions, according to Mrs. Geddis. For example, it serves as a repository for research and information on matters like the new federal No Child Left Behind law, technological advances, textbook laws and state funding requirements.

The organization also advocates for the interests of Catholic schools, helping administrators to fulfill the requirements of the State Department of Education's Office for Non-Public Schools. She will also be responsible for working with the New York State Catholic Conference "to make sure that state government hears the needs of Catholic education," she said.

In addition, CSAANYS sponsors workshops and conventions for school administrators, and provides outside learning opportunities, workshops and speakers pertaining to education.

Background

Mrs. Geddis, who grew up near Buffalo, received degrees from The College of Saint Rose in Albany and Russell Sage College in Troy. She taught at Christ the King School in Guilderland -- and was immediately hooked on Catholic education.

"Once you're there, you don't want to leave," she said. "Catholic schools afford you the opportunity to teach the whole child. It seems like a catchphrase, but it's true. Everything is tied together. You don't leave character education to another part of the day; it's your whole day."

In 2000, Mrs. Geddis became the principal at St. Mary's Academy in Hoosick Falls. She decided to apply for the CSAANYS directorship after learning that her husband, active duty Army Sfc. Lance Geddis, was to be sent overseas with the 42nd Infantry for an 18-month tour of duty.

The family worships at St. Joseph's Church in Greenwich and Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls.

Goals

Mrs. Geddis hopes that her experience in Catholic schools will create relationships with Albany's principals and school staff.

To further that goal, she will attend an October conference for Catholic educators in Albany, which will be sponsored in part by CSAANYS.

"I'm hoping that this office will become a natural resource," she said. "I hope that the respect I have for other administrators and the respect they have for me will make it [that]. I hope that when they think of CSAANYS, it will have a face for them."

(The CSAANYS board of directors is composed of two representatives from each of the eight dioceses of New York. The elementary school representative from the Albany Diocese is Susan Holland, principal of Troy's Sacred Heart School. The second slot is currently vacant. To reach CSAANYS, call 273-1205.)

(9/9/04)