GREENSBORO — Love abounds at Our Lady of Grace School. Days before Our Lady of Grace Parish welcomed longtime parishioner Jack Yarbrough as a newly ordained permanent deacon, it was announced that veteran middle school teacher Catherine Rusch would be the school’s new principal. Joy filled the campus – and Rusch’s inbox.
Rusch has taught at the school in a variety of roles since 2003 and 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 founding member of the Grace Committee, which supports families in living out the Catholic faith. Rusch, who holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy of law from North Carolina State University, also serves on the Diocesan Writing Committee, helping improve the writing skills of students across the diocese.
As principal, Rusch succeeds Kathleen Miller, who is retiring after nearly 40 years as an educator, during which she served as assistant superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Charlotte. She will continue to mentor Rusch in her first year as an administrator.
With the support of the OLG family, Miller added the word “love” to the school’s mission statement this year. Rusch, as the leader of the original drafting of the statement, took the addition to heart. “For me, accepting this position is an act of gratitude. I’ve grown so much as a person and as a teacher at Our Lady of Grace. My children have grown here, too,” she said. “I see it as a chance for me to give back.”
Miller recently reflected on why the hiring committee chose Rusch: “As principal, she is the spiritual leader of the school, and she practices the faith in so many ways with her church family and her own family. Mrs. Rusch is also a very reflective leader. She considers all options and how they impact individuals and then makes the decision. She conducts research to gather more information as she puts different practices into place.”
OLG’s pastor, Father Paul Buchanan, added, “I am delighted to be able to entrust the leadership of our parish’s school to someone who has been so active and involved. I know that Mrs. Rusch’s commitment to Catholic identity, mission and service is a vital part of her vision for our school, and I look forward to working with her to help continue our tradition of excellence.”
Rusch plans a bright future for the school, one where the entire community shares her vision. She said she’d like to see the school nationally recognized for its academic excellence as well as its inclusion program. During the past 11 of Rusch’s 15 years as a middle school teacher, 12 of the school’s graduates have become valedictorian or salutatorians at local high schools. Students participate in experiential learning through field trips and the Model UN, and teachers undergo consistent professional development through weekly learning communities. The opportunity for accelerated math starts in first grade, students in middle school can take math at three levels (including geometry), and Spanish is taught as a core subject – all of which sets graduates ahead in high school.
Rusch and her husband Corbin have three of their own children at the school and one recent graduate. “Now that I’ve had a child graduate from OLG, I see from an even closer range that it’s not just the strong academic foundation we’re providing; it’s the confidence, leadership, involvement in the community and the desire to give back that prepares students for success in school and life,” she said. “The entire joy of Christ is present in our children and teachers.”
School parents agree. Two of Donielle Wilde’s children have been Rusch’s students. “Through the years, I’ve found that she has this remarkable way about her method of teaching. She is extremely compassionate toward the needs of each individual student, making each one feel like they’re the only one there, helping them become the best version of themselves, not only academically but spiritually. She lives out the faith through teaching. The families, parents and kids can feel her love,” Wilde said.
Three of Jeannie Hall’s children have been taught by Rusch. Her daughter Katie is studying to become an English teacher at Appalachian State University due in part to her days in Rusch’s English class. “She has the school’s interests at heart, knows our history and what the people sacrificing to send their kids there are looking for in a school,” Hall said. “I think she’ll do a great job!”
As an active member of the parish since she first joined in 1999, Rusch hopes to strengthen the relationship between the church and school – something the hiring committee was confident she could do.
“I see it as a mutual relationship of service and fellowship,” Rusch said.
Inspired by Father Buchanan’s Holy Thursday homily, she reflected on this pivotal point in her life and the life of the parish: “At the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. He showed through this humble task that no one is above serving their neighbor. I am not an experienced administrator; in fact, I am indeed an amateur. But the Latin root of amateur is “amare,” meaning love. This is where my heart is. I enter into this position humbly. I am here to serve, not to be served, and I will do so with love – love of our strong parish, love of our mission as Catholic educators, love of our faculty and staff, our families, and especially our children.”
— Annie Ferguson, Correspondent