Schools appoint new presidents, principals

High Schools:
Josephite Father Charles Andrus, Interim President, St. Augustine High School, New Orleans, is pastor of Blessed Sacrament-St. Joan of Arc Parish in New Orleans. The native of Palmetto, La., is the former associate vocations director of the Josephites. He majored in secondary education in mathematics and general science at Southern University in Baton Rouge.
Father Andrus entered the Josephites in 1968 and was ordained a priest at his home parish, Immaculate Conception, Lebeau, La. Having served at parishes in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and California, he was instrumental in forming an association for the  ministry of African-American parishes, which later became the Office of Black Catholic Ministries in the New Orleans Archdiocese. He has served as consultor general of the Josephites.

Richard Berkowitz, President, Pope John Paul II, Slidell, has served as principal of Pope John Paul II for 11 years. With 41 years of experience in Catholic schools, he has also served as principal of St. Margaret Mary School in Slidell. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Berkowitz received his bachelor’s degree from Polytechnic University and his master’s degree in administration and supervision from Southeastern Louisiana University.
“I’m really looking forward to working in this position (of president),” he said. “I’ll be focusing on managing enrollment and the retention of students. I’ll be managing finances and taking care of business, the grounds and public relations. And I’m looking forward to that.”

Yvonne Gelpi, Interim President De La Salle High School, New Orleans, was recruited to come to De La Salle in 1991 and retired in 2003. She left the school with a balanced budget and an enrollment of 800. Prior to serving at De La Salle, Gelpi was the first lay principal of the Academy of the Sacred Heart. She has also served as a director of guidance and counseling and has taught junior high mathematics.  Gelpi holds a bachelor’s degree from Newcomb and a master’s of education in guidance and administration from Tulane University.
“I returned as interim president to provide stability and leadership in this time of transition,” she said. “A search committee composed of Brothers, parents, alumni and faculty has been formed and is currently requesting and reviewing resumes (for the president’s position).”

Martha M. Mundine, Principal, Pope John Paul II, Slidell, has worked in Catholic schools for 19 years, starting her career in the Diocese of Biloxi. She has since held positions as teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Archdiocese of Mobile. She had been principal of St. Dominic, Mobile, since 2006.
“I am eager to become part of the outstanding community and assist with the establishment of the president/principal model of administration there. I hope that under my management of day-to-day activities, I am able to work with others and form relationships that will continue to foster the values of academic excellence, faith development and leadership in order for our students to begin adulthood as prepared as possible for anything that may lie ahead.”

Joseph Peychaud Jr., President/Principal, Xavier University Preparatory School, New Orleans,will mark his second time serving in an administrative capacity at the institution; he was its principal from 1976-78. His dual role as president/principal also gives him the distinction of being Xavier Prep’s first lay president.  A former associate superintendent for the Archdiocese of New Orleans whose duties included overseeing urban education and federal programs, Peychaud most recently served as a school improvement specialist for the Orleans Parish School Board.
Peychaud is a graduate of St. Augustine High and received a bachelor of arts in education/liberal arts from Xavier University of Louisiana. He also holds a master of arts in urban studies from the University of New Orleans.
“Xavier Prep is in its 95th year in its tradition of academic excellence,” Peychaud said. “Xavier Prep is alive and well and it will continue to be that way, but we have to send a message; we have to proclaim our successes to be recognized as one of the outstanding high schools, in New Orleans and nationally.”

Michael Scalco, President/Principal, Archbishop Rummel High School, Metairie, was previously vice president of Archbishop Rummel and is a member of the school’s 1967 graduating class. He also served as the school’s principal in August 2005 through July 2008.
With 21 years of experience in both the public school system and Catholic schools, Scalco has experience as an assistant principal and high school civics and world geography teacher. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in social studies and English and a master’s in education from the University of New Orleans.
“I have several top goals that I have set for myself,” Scalco said. “They are to increase enrollment, to improve morale, to strengthen academics, and to improve the school’s relationship with its alumni.”

Elementary Schools:
Salesian Sister Maria Colombo, Principal, Immaculate Conception School, Marrero, has more than 30 years experience in Catholic schools, serving in various capacities in schools across the country, including New Jersey, New York, Florida and Louisiana. Previously serving as director of development at Academy of Our Lady, Marrero, she was also the school’s principal for three years. She has also held the positions of assistant principal, department head, retreat coordinator, adjunct professor, high school and elementary teacher in various schools.
Sister Maria holds a bachelor of arts in elementary education as well as a master of arts in Catholic theology and pastoral ministry, and a master of science in administration and supervision. She is also an active member on archdiocesan, local and provincial committees.
“I am confident that the faculty, staff and I will continue to enhance the fervent spirituality of the school, the strong academic curriculum, the competitive athletic program, and the extra-curricular academic and service clubs, all in keeping with Don Bosco’s mission of bringing Christ to the young and the young to Christ,” she said.

Debra Fountain, Principal, St. Andrew the Apostle School, New Orleans, is a published author along with having 25 years of educational experience. She is originally from Pittsburgh and has educated students of varying abilities and backgrounds in several states.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost and earned her master’s degree in educational leadership/instructional technology from Nova Southeastern University. She is completing her doctoral degree in educational leadership and curriculum/instruction.

Fountain believes that “all students can learn and reach high levels of achievement with the appropriate educational environment.” Her focus for this upcoming school year will be on increasing rigor, relevance and literacy across all content areas with the use of technology. With consistency, Fountain trusts that St. Andrew the Apostle School can significantly improve overall student achievement.

Brother of the Holy Eucharist Augustine Kozdroj,  Principal, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Kenner, was raised in a strongly Catholic Polish environment in Grand Rapids, Mich., and learned to revere authentic Catholic education early in life through attendance of Catholic schools from kindergarten through graduate school.

He has served as principal in schools in Michigan and at St. Joseph School, Plaucheville, La., and Sacred Heart School, Baton Rouge, La. He also was assistant superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

“Looking forward to my new apostolate at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Kenner, I’m committed to providing authentic Catholic education to the students, enhancing their spiritual and moral development and promoting high academic achievement,” Brother Augustine said. “From analysis of the students’ achievement test scores, the teachers and I can formulate a plan for differentiated instruction that will meet all students’ needs. I hope to spend quality time in the classrooms and have professional conversations with the teachers about curriculum and instruction.”

Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia Mary Sheila Maksim, Principal, Cathedral Academy, New Orleans, has served at schools in Tennessee, Colorado, Rhode Island and Ohio and appreciates the importance of learning about a community in order to help it thrive. She is eager to serve in the unique Catholic culture of New Orleans.

“It is my strong conviction that our Lord has created each one of us to be a saint, entrusting us with different gifts to develop for his glory,” she said. “It is my primary goal to help the students of Cathedral Academy to recognize all the talents and blessings God has given them, and to become the saints he created them to be. In a city with so many local saints of its own, cheering on a team named for the Saints, in a school proudly placed under the patronage of your famous St. Louis Cathedral, and with the service of the Dominican Sisters in a special Montessori apostolate, I am eager to make this vision a reality.”

Toni Ruiz, Principal, Ascension of Our Lord, LaPlace, has 27 years of classroom teaching and administrative experience in St. John the Baptist Parish schools. For the last two years, she was an assistant principal at East St. John High School. Her previous 25 years of classroom teaching were spent at the elementary level.
She has been a member of Ascension of Our Lord Parish for 20 years, and all of her daughters attended Ascension of Our Lord School.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Ascension of Our Lord School family again,” Ruiz said. “As I begin my tenure as principal, I believe that education doesn’t just happen. It is cultivated through educating children in a faith-filled environment of academic excellence. I look forward to bringing new ideas to Ascension of Our Lord and leading the staff in a direction that will carry on the teaching, learning and culture of the school community.”

School Sister of Notre Dame Paulette Tiefen­brunn, Principal, Holy Rosary Academy, New Orleans, began her educational ministry in 1967, serving as teacher, vice principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent in Missouri, Illinois, California and Louisiana. Her assignments have allowed her to work with children of various ethnic and economic backgrounds, as well as abilities.

“I feel strongly that Catholic education is the key if children are to succeed,” Sister Paulette said. “I believe the role of the principal is to create a safe, nurturing environment wherein children with learning differences can develop to their fullest potential. Teachers and parents are co-educators who challenge students to think creatively, become problem solvers, and use their God-given gifts to the best of their ability.”