FREDERICK – The switch to distance learning due to the novel coronavirus and the closing of school campuses created an end to Karen Smith’s career that she never considered.
“I never thought this would be the way I would be leaving the building, with nobody else in it,” said Smith, the principal of St. John Regional Catholic School in Frederick. “I never expected that we would not go back.”
Smith retired after 15 years as principal and 40 years in education. Other principals retiring included Deborah Glinowiecki of St. Ursula School in Parkville, Patricia McDermott of St. Mary Catholic School in Hagerstown, Terry Weiss of St. Louis School in Clarksville and Raymond Kiddy of Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland.
“In 45 years of education, I never could have imagined this,” Glinowiecki said. “I was looking forward to the children, the goodbyes, the traditions. Now I can’t even say goodbye to them.”
The principals all said the biggest changes they saw were the use of computers and information technology. The new technology ultimately helped schools make the abrupt switch to distance learning.
Glinowiecki said she felt called by God to St. Ursula School in Baltimore. “The Lord was calling me to my parish, my school, my son’s school,” she said. “I thought, I have five years that I will be happy to dedicate to this school. And that was what I have done.”
Glinowiecki began at St. Ursula School the day after she retired from Baltimore County Schools.
“You cannot get a better, more well-rounded education than you get at a Catholic school,” she said. “It’s not just academic, it’s spiritual, it’s the whole child.”
In Hagerstown, McDermott led collaborations among parents, educators and St. Mary Catholic Church to expand the use of technology. Separately, capital improvement projects created a modern dining hall for students and the school’s first gymnasium.
“Not anything I did as principal could I do on my own,” McDermott said. “It was all through relationships. To me everything is all about our relationships and our Catholic faith.”
In 2017, St. Mary School received status as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
“To be named a Blue Ribbon School, that’s just icing on the cake,” McDermott said. “I love the students. I love the parents. My faculty and staff are top-notch. It was the relationships with all of these groups that made my job what it was. The different groups trusted my leadership. I prayed for them and they prayed for me. Everything was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother.”
In Frederick, St. John Regional Catholic earned National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence distinction in 2009 and 2017. “We celebrated for the whole year,” said Smith, as it was also recognized as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) school.
An aunt inspired Weiss to follow her into education, who visited her classroom to help decorate the bulletin board and grade papers.
Weiss was a classroom teacher for 20 years, with two years also as assistant principal. Her principal encouraged her to pursue her master’s degree and when the principal’s position opened at St. Louis School in Clarksville, she applied. She was principal for 24 years.
“St. Louis School will always have a special place in my heart,” Weiss said.
It too received National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence awards, in 2010 and 2017, largely due to the school’s STEM programs and academic achievements. There are also more than 20 after-school clubs.
“I’ll miss the students,” she said. “Seeing their smiling faces, the giggles. That’s the part I’ll miss the most. I haven’t seen them, and it’s been so sad.”
Kiddy was retired for 24 hours from public school when the position of athletic director and dean of students opened at Bishop Walsh. He became principal four years ago and was tasked with increasing enrollment. The school now has an elite basketball program, a makerspace, a radio station and green room for video productions.
The pandemic meant that Bishop Walsh couldn’t host its traditional graduation ceremony, but there will be an in-person graduation June 12 for seniors and their immediate family members at the soccer stadium. In the meantime, Kiddy, office staff and high school dean James Zamagias rode a school bus for six hours to visit seniors, placing signs in front of their homes celebrating their accomplishments.
“It was really great for us to see our students,” Kiddy said. “It was a great thing for an ending here for me, also. It’s been a great ending to my career and I appreciate all the support the archdiocese has given me.”
Capsules of the five follow.
Deborah Glinowiecki, Principal, St. Ursula School
Years in education: 45. Years as principal at St. Ursula Catholic School: 5. Memory: On the day before Christmas break, she would play “Crabs for Christmas” by David DeBoy over the school speakers to celebrate the coming holiday. Quote: She would tell new teachers, “You don’t know everything. But your colleagues are a wealth of information. Do not hesitate to ask. Or just to reflect with them.”
Dr. Raymond Kiddy, Principal, Bishop Walsh
Years in education: 42. Years as principal at Bishop Walsh School: 4. Memory: Personally congratulating seniors during a special bus tour to each of their homes.
Quote: “You have to be ever-changing and involved when you’re a Catholic school.”
Patricia McDermott, Principal, St. Mary Catholic School
Years in education: 29. Years as principal at St. Mary Catholic School: 13. Memory: Her first class of third-graders, who she taught again in middle school, and now keeps in touch with through social media and friendships. “We always joke about me being their favorite teacher,” she said. Quote: “We are like a family. We are truly a school community. Is it perfect? No, but that’s like any family.”
Karen Smith, Principal, St. John Regional Catholic School
Years in education: 40. Years as principal at St. John Regional Catholic School: 15. Memory: Teaching a group of students Irish step-dancing for the Grandparents Day talent show. The small troupe went on to dance for local community events for a few years. Quote: “It’s going to be different not going there every day. But I told them they can keep me on the substitute teacher list.”
Terry Weiss , Principal, St. Louis School
Years in education: 44. Years at St. Louis School: 24. Memory: Weiss was chaperone for the eighth-grade trip to Boston. She enjoyed being with her students on the field trip and getting to know them. “What a wonderful experience it was!” Weiss remembers. “We were the house moms and checking on the students to make sure everything was okay. It was such a great experience taking care of them and sharing the excitement of all there was to see and do in Boston.” Quote: “You have to love children. I don’t think you can teach if you don’t love children. We have to be role models for these children, we have to be Christ in the classroom.”
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