CHARLOTTE — Three Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte are welcoming new principals this fall. Our Lady of Grace School and St. Pius X School in Greensboro and St. Leo School in Winston-Salem will all have new leaders when students return for the 2018-’19 academic year next week.
Gary Callus, St. Leo School, Winston-Salem
Callus joins St. Leo School from the Diocese of Raleigh, where he served as an assistant principal at St. Mary Magdalene School in Apex. He has a Master of School Administration and benefits from 18 years of teaching middle school in Catholic education.
He and his wife Donna have been married for 31 years and have twins, a 25-year-old son and daughter.
Callus is a former sergeant with the New York City Police Department and is well respected for his strength of character, integrity and compassion for others.
“We are very fortunate to have an individual with such enthusiasm for Catholic schools, transparent faith and commitment to our children here at St. Leo Catholic School,” said Father Brian Cook, pastor of St. Leo Church and School. “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Callus and we pledge our support and prayers as we begin this new chapter in the life of our parish school.”
Callus officially assumed the job of principal Aug. 16.
“As I step into my role, I am reminded of the message of St. John Paul II to the National Catholic Educational Association of the United States, on April 16, 1979: ‘In order that the Catholic school and the Catholic teachers may truly make their irreplaceable contribution to the Church and to the world, the goal of Catholic education itself must be crystal clear. Beloved sons and daughters of the Catholic Church, brothers and sisters in the faith: Catholic education is above all a question of communicating Christ, of helping to form Christ in the lives of others.’
“It is truly my honor to join the St. Leo School community. The good Lord has blessed me with this amazing opportunity and I look forward to working with the students, parents and the staff at St. Leo.”
Christopher Kloesz, St. Pius X School, Greensboro
Chris Kloesz has been an educator for 19 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Education from Xavier University.
Prior to his decision to embark upon a career in education, Kloesz served five years in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Before moving from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Greensboro, Kloesz taught high school English and language arts. He has previously served as an assistant principal, acting principal, and principal at the high school, middle school and intermediate school levels.
Kloesz also taught for several years as an adjunct instructor at Xavier University in Cincinnati.
He and his wife Nicole (herself a middle school English and language arts teacher), have two daughters enrolled at St. Pius X School. The family is active at St. Pius X Church.
“I have been blessed with an exciting and inspiring opportunity: to serve the students, families and staff of St. Pius X Catholic School as their principal,” Kloesz said.
“I am honored and humbled, and I get to enjoy the privilege, every hour of every day, of integrating my Catholic faith with my profession as an educator.”
Catherine Rusch, Our Lady of Grace School, Greensboro
Catherine Rusch is not new to Our Lady of Grace School. In fact, she joined the Greensboro school as a teacher in 2003, following four years of service in the public school system.
A graduate of N.C. State University, she went on to earn a master’s degree in education from UNC-Greensboro during her initial years as a teacher.
As an experienced teacher, an active parishioner and a parent of four, Rusch said she is passionate about Our Lady of Grace School and its mission as a parish and school community.
Beginning her 20th year in education, she has worked continually to uphold and enhance the school’s quality of education by serving as the school’s accreditation leader, training and mentoring other teachers, continuing her own learning, and serving as a member of supporting committees, including the Grace Committee, which supports families in living out the Catholic faith.
Rusch said she is looking forward to serving the community in her new role as principal and ready to lead the school into the future.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Our principals
Michele Snoke
St. Gabriel School
Deborah Butler
St. Mark School
Meredith Canning
Immaculata School
Tyler Kulp
Sacred Heart School
Dr. Carl Semmler
Christ the King High School
Christopher Kloesz
St. Pius X School
Sheila Levesque
St. Michael School
Kathy McKinney
St. Ann School
Michael Miller
Asheville Catholic School
Amy Tobergte
St. Patrick School
Kevin O’Herron
St. Matthew School
Catherine Rusch
Our Lady of Grace School
Kevin Parks
Holy Trinity Middle School
Allana-Rae Ramkissoon
Our Lady of the Assumption School
Tracy A. Shaw
Bishop McGuinness High School
Greg Roberts
Immaculate Heart of Mary School
Sister Geri Rogers, S.S.J.
Our Lady of Mercy School
Gary Callus
St. Leo School
Kurt Telford
Charlotte Catholic High School