CHARLOTTE — Debbie Mixer, principal of St. Patrick School in Charlotte, has been named the new assistant superintendent for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte.
Mixer succeeds Kathleen Miller, who left the position in December to serve as principal at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro.
Mixer’s experience in Catholic education in the diocese spans nearly 15 years. She started her career with the diocesan school system in 2003, when she served as assistant principal at St. Matthew School in south Charlotte until 2005. Mixer then worked as a learning support teacher at St. Mark School in Huntersville during the 2005-'06 academic year. She has served as the principal at St. Patrick School since 2006.
In making the announcement, diocesan schools superintendent Dr. Janice Ritter said, "I am confident that Mrs. Mixer's background and skills will be of benefit to all 19 schools in our diocese. I look forward to having Mrs. Mixer join our team and having her enhance the work we do at the Catholic Schools Office for the Diocese of Charlotte."
Mixer expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work in leadership for the diocesan school system. “My Catholic faith and the work that I do in Catholic education are very important to me. To be able to do it on a larger scale, across the western half of North Carolina, in the Diocese of Charlotte, is quite an honor, and I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
Mixer’s background is primarily in special education, and she said she sees her new assignment as an opportunity to reach out to a more diverse population of students.
“I’ve worked with children in the special needs population, both in the school level and in the district office level previously. So, it’s that ability to now do that, not just at St. Patrick, but at all the schools in the diocese – to be able to work with that population of students, who also want and deserve a Catholic education,” she said.
Mixer will finish the current school year as principal at St. Patrick School as she gradually transitions into her new role as assistant superintendent by this summer.
Mixer said she feels her future career path has been an answer to prayer: “When I applied, I lifted it up to God to show me, 'At this point in my life and in my career, what do You want me to do?’ And I felt like He did.”
— Rico De Silva, Hispanic Communications Reporter
CHARLOTTE — Watch this short video highlighting St. Matthew School in south Charlotte celebration of Catholic Schools Week 2017. Catholic Schools Week was celebrated the week of Jan. 30- Feb. 3.
Students and staff embraced the event with much enthusiasm and a true Catholic spirit. Among several activities, first- and fourth-graders made Valentine’s Day cards for area seniors. Also, third- and second-graders made cards for priests, deacons and seminarians to thank them for their ministry.
“We celebrate being a part of the Catholic Schools. We celebrate all the great things that happen here, as well as we really want to promote the good news of Catholic schools to all those people that may be looking for a school to send their child to,” Principal Kevin O’Herron explained.
— Rico De Silva, Catholic News Herald