Superintendents assess the past, look to future of Catholic schools

In separate interviews with The Evangelist, the out-going superintendent of schools for the Albany Diocese and her successor weighed the state of Catholic education, past, present and future.

"I have a passion for education," says Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, the new superintendent of schools for the Albany Diocese. "I love working with schools."

The Detroit native currently serves as regional director for elementary schools for the Archdiocese of Boston. She will begin her work in Albany in July, succeeding Sister Ann McCarthy, CSJ, who had been superintendent for the past seven years.

Confidence factor

For her part, Sister Ann said she has seen the schools of the Albany Diocese blossom with self-confidence during her tenure.

"When I first came, I noticed the lack of self-confidence the schools had in themselves. There's no winning without confidence," she said. "Now there's a growing confidence of the schools in themselves. It shows in the things they do and say. There's a more upbeat approach."

Under Sister Ann's leadership:

Enrollment has gone from 12,070 students to 12,732;

Schools have begun building programs to add space for more students and for new programming, such as computer labs;

A number of grade schools have applied for Blue Ribbon Status (a national program that recognizes exemplary schools) while diocesan high schools have worked toward accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Quick to point out that many people worked to bring about those improvements, Sister Ann credits her staff, the diocesan school board, school administrators, teachers and parents.

As she prepares to step down from her position and begin teaching at the university level, Sister Ann reflected on her time in the Albany Diocese, a place she described as quieter and more physically beautiful that her native Brooklyn.

Of the Catholic School Office staff, Sister Ann said, "What has pleased me very much are the strong relationships between the people in the field and the office. Everyone [on the staff] is involved equally. I really love them. We work hard and have fun."

She said principals, teachers and parents feel comfortable approaching the office with questions and concerns, and know they will get a response.

She also recognized the Diocesan School Board for their efforts.

"The board is made up of hard-working, dedicated people," she said. "They have been instrumental in bringing some good things to the schools."

During her tenure as superintendent, the board has worked with the School Office at revising the board policies which govern the schools, personnel handbooks for teachers and administrators, and long-range planning for the schools.

Some of the direct benefits of those efforts include improved salaries for teachers and a new policy that allows teachers to accrue sick days. "It's really been the work of the board to bring teachers' salaries to some kind of just level," she said.

The program she is most pleased with is the faith formation program for Catholic school teachers. It brings together staffs of Catholic schools for prayer, service and learning experiences. School communities develop a theme each year that their faith formation efforts will focus on.

"I'm very proud of the faith formation program," she said. "It's really taken off and yielded good results. There is a day of witness, regional days, retreat days, and local efforts to kindle the spirit of prayer in the adult community."

Another highlight of her time in the Diocese, she said, has been working with Bishop Howard J. Hubbard. "One thing I tell people is that it's a privilege to work with him," she said. "Out of the entire Diocese of Albany, the person who is probably the easiest to deal with is the Bishop."

While she has enjoyed her time in the Diocese, there have been challenges.

"The job itself is demanding," she said, "like any place. Schools are schools, children are children. Schools experience all kinds of things. A child misbehaves, parents complain, teachers grieve " it's the same anywhere."

One hurdle faced by all Catholic educators is finances. "Finances are always a concern," she said. "That's not something that gets finalized. It goes on."

But she is pleased by the work of a committee of pastors and the school board that worked to establish an endowment fund for the schools. "It will go a long way to securing the future," she said.

To those working in Catholic schools, she offered these words of encouragement: "Continue the wonderful work you're doing. It could be that no one will ever do the equal in terms of caring for children. It's really worth doing; we've got to do it. Working for Catholic schools has never been easy. It's an uphill struggle.

"Strive to follow the words of St. Paul: `I have fought the good fight to the end. I have run the race to the finish. I have kept the faith.' I have always been certain that you couldn't give a child more than an excellent education steeped in Gospel values and Church tradition."

As she prepares to succeed Sister Ann, Sister Jane said: "I'm really looking forward to the possibilities. I feel really drawn to the ministry of superintendent. I'm excited to be coming to Albany."

In her recent visits to the Diocese, she was struck by the sense of community present in the Pastoral Center and looks forward to working with Bishop Hubbard, especially for his "collaborative work style."

Sister Jane brings to the position more than 30 years experience as an educator. A math teacher by training, she has also served as principal and an adjunct college instructor. In 1993, she was named principal of the year by the Catholic Association for Secondary Administrators. Recently, she received her doctorate in educational administration from Boston College.

Her immediate plans as superintendent are to learn more about the schools of the Diocese.

"Initially, I plan to get to know the schools as much as I can by visiting each school," she said. "I'd also like to have regional meetings to listen to parents and school board members.

"My long-range plans are to continue the quality of Catholic education that exists in the Diocese and strengthen the schools for the 21st century."

Looking toward the turn of the century, Sister Jane said there are several educational trends schools must be prepared for, including developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students, and helping students learn to work with others in order to solve problems. Another challenge for educators will be implementing technology into the curriculum without "losing the personal touch," she said.

Two challenges unique to Catholic schools are of prime importance to Sister Jane: Catholic identity and finances. She explained that as the laity continues to take more of a leadership role in Catholic schools, it is important to provide opportunities for them to strengthen and maintain the Catholic identity of the schools.

In terms of finances, the challenge for Catholic educators is to continue to provide a quality education that is available and affordable to all who want it.

As she takes on the job of superintendent, she brings her teaching experience into that office.

"As a teacher, I believe in the inherent worth of all young people," she said. "The job of an educator is not just to impart subject matter, but also to encourage each student to develop into the best person that he or she is capable of becoming. A classroom is a place where the values of respect and justice are evident on a day-to-day basis."

Besides working for the Church at Albany, she is also looking forward to the beauty of upstate New York. "I don't mind the snow, and I like to ski and golf," she said. "It's a pretty minor thing, but it's a plus."

(06-05-97) [[In-content Ad]]