“I believe God put me here for a reason,” says Elizabeth Jenkins, incoming principal of Our Lady of the Assumption School. Born in Miami to Cuban parents, Jenkins grew up speaking both English and Spanish in her multicultural home and now leads a diverse and growing school. (Brian Segovia) CHARLOTTE — “The best of both worlds” is the expression Elizabeth Jenkins, the incoming principal of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School, uses to describe her Cuban-American upbringing. Born in Miami to Cuban parents, Jenkins grew up speaking both English and Spanish in her multicultural home.
“We grew up with some American customs, but many Cuban customs,” Jenkins said. “It’s something I consider important in my upbringing.”
From a young age, Jenkins knew her calling was to teach. At 16, she began working at a daycare after school, an experience that ignited her passion for education.
Her commitment led her to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and later a master’s degree in special education. She started her career by teaching kindergarten through fifth-grade students and teaching special education for students in grades K–8.
In 2007, she moved to Charlotte and joined Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), dedicating 14 years to the academic development of her students. In 2021, she took on the role of assistant principal at St. Gabriel Catholic School, an experience that prepared her for her next professional step: on July 1, she became principal at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School.
“I believe God put me here for a reason. I’m going to focus on today, on this school year, and on getting to know the children and families,” Jenkins commented.
The school is undergoing significant changes due to its growing diversity and increase in enrollment. While last year it had 213 students, that number has risen to 244. Dr. Greg Monroe, the diocese’s superintendent of schools, noted that the institution has experienced a transformation in recent years.
“Our region is growing,” Monroe explains. “As people move here, they look for vibrant and dynamic schools, and we’re proud to say that Our Lady of the Assumption is one of those top-tier institutions.”
Jenkins said her experience teaching in multilingual instruction schools, such as Collinswood Language Academy in CMS, helped her understand the importance of respecting global cultures and customs. It is the recognition of students with diverse backgrounds that, for her, will be key in this new chapter for the school.
“I noticed the importance of children being able to speak two languages and recognizing their own culture,” Jenkins said.
“In a school where many students speak different languages at home, the fact that she speaks more than one is undoubtedly a great added value,” Monroe said.
Jenkins says her knowledge of Spanish has opened doors with families. She has seen several Hispanic parents visibly relax when they find out she speaks their language.
With that cultural closeness, Jenkins starts the new school year ready to lead with faith and commitment.
“The happiness they show on their faces is something fundamental to me,” Jenkins said. “I truly believe that when a family feels that cultural connection, the experience of the children and parents becomes much more meaningful.”
— Brian Segovia
Principal Callie Moore is gearing up for another successful year at Our Lady of Mercy School. Last year she memorized every student’s name the first 10 days of school by studying past yearbooks. (Anthony Stinedurf | Catholic News Herald) WINSTON-SALEM — Principal Callie Moore knew she had big shoes to fill when she stepped into Sister Geri Rogers’ position at Our Lady of Mercy last fall, but she had no idea how nicely those shoes would fit or how comfortable they would become.
“Any time a new principal comes in after a principal that has been at the school for a long time like Sister Geri, it could be a challenge,”said Assistant Superintendent of Schools Michael Miller. “Callie did a great job of getting to know her staff and the school community, and building relationships.”
Sister Geri from the Order of St. Joseph ran Our Lady of Mercy school for 20 years after teaching there for 20. Upon her retirement, the technology-savvy, organized, quiet yet lively, slightly introverted, creative problem-solver from St. Leo the Great, Assistant Principal Moore, quickly became a top contender for the position.
“Everybody told me since my second-year teaching that I should go ahead and become a principal, and I told them they were crazy,” Moore said.
“I like to come up with solutions, love being in crisis mode and solving problems to make things better, and at the same time, I was comfortable in my little bubble,” she said.
When Moore got the offer, she was initially reluctant. She said she would never be a principal, just as she said she would never be an assistant principal or a middle school teacher. She also said she would never get a dog – but now has two.
“Friends and family started laughing and asking me how many signs from God I needed to accept the job,” said Moore. “I started praying the one-day Flying Novena and felt so strongly it was God’s will that I stopped right in mid-prayer and accepted.”
Now, she laughs whenever she says the word “never,” because God always seems to lead her everywhere she never expected to go.
Students, parents and staff embraced Moore, instantly connecting with her Southern culture and Catholic values. She’s lived in the Triad her entire life and was raised in a pew at Our Lady of the Highways parish in Thomasville, where she still attends with her parents. Her mother is also an educator.
“I always played teacher with my siblings when I was young; I even made them sign contracts for their behavior,” laughed Moore. “I went to public school growing up and I was one of a very few Catholics. I always wanted to go to private school. That was my dream, and I would beg my mom all the time.”
Her first year went by quickly, but she also feels as if she has been laughing beside Father Cory Catron, creating master schedules and conducting staff meetings, forever.
“I want to make sure that we stay true to who Mercy was and everything that it is, but also help move into the future,” Moore said.
“I describe it as a hidden gem that is not always shown or seen; it hides in the background. I guess it is like me in a way,” she said.
Her goal this year is to keep supporting and inspiring her staff and continue the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph by holding onto traditions while starting some fun new endeavors Father Catron and she devised in their “downtime.”
“This year we are trying to incorporate all the different Mary titles into our curriculum because our school is very diverse, like the Blessed Mother. Plus, we are hoping each classroom will adopt a saint,” Moore said.
Her advice to new principals is simple: “Take one day at a time, ask questions, reach out for support, trust God’s plan and enjoy the journey.”
As her neatly labeled file folders start expanding in width, so does her confidence. There is no denying it; she was meant for this, and God proved it to her.
“I am very sure that this is the best place for me and where I need to be to help everybody I want to help,” she said.
— Lisa Geraci