HUNTERSVILLE — After a national search, Christ the King Catholic High School and the Diocese of Charlotte announced the appointment of Mark Tolcher, a veteran Catholic school administrator, teacher and coach, as the school’s next principal beginning July 1, as part of a transition to a president-principal leadership model.
Tolcher brings more than 18 years of Catholic school experience, currently serving as director of enrollment at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Ga., where he also served as associate assistant principal for a year and as a theology instructor from 2017 to 2021.
A lifelong Catholic with a passion for strong academics and sharing the faith in the formation of young people, Tolcher previously taught religion at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Hapeville, Ga., and theology at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School in Fayetteville, Ga., where he also coached three sports and worked as an administrator. For eight years, he worked as a high school youth minister at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro, Ga.
“Mr. Tolcher is a man of deep faith and an experienced educator who, like us, believes in developing the whole child – academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Charlotte. “I look forward to seeing his leadership in action as he works to enhance Christ the King’s academics, faculty development, student life and extracurriculars.”
Current principal Dr. Carl Semmler will move to serve as president of Christ the King, as part of a new high school leadership model that will allow high school principals to handle academic oversight and daily operations, while presidents focus on shaping the mission and vision of the school, community relationships, financial management and fundraising.
“I am very excited to join the Christ the King Catholic family and look forward to partnering with Carl to continue to foster the strong community, Catholic identity, academics and extracurricular programs established at the school,” said Tolcher, who lives in Atlanta with his wife Kelly and five children.
Tolcher holds master’s degrees in theology from Holy Spirit College and in educational leadership from the University of Dayton. He has a bachelor’s degree in public and urban affairs from Georgia State University. He also completed the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s principal formation program.
Among other achievements, Tolcher brought the “Virtue = Strength” program to Blessed Trinity, an initiative that engages the hearts and minds of students to meet life’s challenges with resilience, prudence and passion.
Tolcher was selected by a committee of parents, pastors and education leaders that was guided by a national search firm.
Families, faculty, staff and alumni provided input about what qualities they sought in a new leader.
— Catholic News Herald