A 1986 Chaminade Julienne graduate, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Education with teaching certification in Comprehensive Social Studies for grades 7-12 from Miami University, Oxford. An Evans Scholar from the Miami Valley Country Club, I was also a member of the wrestling team while at MU. Upon graduation, I started a master's degree program in Sports Administration, which was funded by my graduate assistantship as assistant wrestling coach at Miami. In 1992 I started my first teaching position with Lakota Schools in West Chester, Ohio, where I taught Social Studies and served as the junior high golf coach and assistant high school wrestling coach. After four years at Lakota I moved to Forest Hills School district to teach Social Studies and to serve as head wrestling coach and assistant football coach at Turpin High School. While teaching and coaching at Turpin I gained admittance to the Urban Leadership Development Academy and received my Masters in School Administration from the University of Cincinnati, with Principal's certification for Elementary and High School levels. After a total of 10 years as a teacher and coach, I left the classroom and coaching experience for a full time position as the Assistant Principal for Academics at Turpin. I continued in this position for the next four years, during which time I attended Xavier University and earned my Superintendent's Licensure. In 2005, I was offered ,and accepted, the position of Principal of Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School. My educational experience is on-going, as I currently serve as a guest presenter at XU for administrator leadership classes as well as a summer session faculty member at the University of Dayton, teaching Graduate level school leadership classes.
As a student at Chaminade Julienne I followed the Catholic educational path of my father Bob, Chaminade class of ‘46 and my mother Ruth, Julienne class of ’57. However, in my time as a student I never imagined being Principal of a high school, much less my alma mater. Looking back on my high school years, I now see the incredible impact CJ had on me as a person, an educator, a father and a faith filled leader in today's society. CJ opened doors for me and my three siblings, Tom and Becky class of ‘82 and my twin brother Paul class of ’86. CJ prepared me so that I was able to take advantage of opportunities as a collegiate athlete and as a college graduate, as a lifelong learner and as a leader in the vocation I have chosen as an educator.
Married to Beth Marshall since 1992, we have four children: Kathryn, David, William and Carolyn. Beth teaches at CJ, where Kathryn and David are students. William and Carolyn attend Holy Angels Elementary School, where we are parishioners and where Beth and I serve as Eucharistic Ministers. I am blessed to have opportunities in our community to volunteer as an Eagle Youth Wrestling coach and Eagle Youth Football coach when time and schedules allow.
Beyond being a member of the National Catholic Education Association, National Association of High School Principals and Ohio Association of High School Administrators, being Principal of CJ allows me to continue to live the Global Perspective locally and nationally through connections to all of the area Catholic Schools Principals in the Dayton area at in-services and principal meetings. I also have come to appreciate the connection between us and the other Archdiocese of Cincinnati High Schools in our annual retreat and administrative meetings of National Catholic Educators. The National Catholic Educators Association holds an annual conference for Catholic school leaders at which we are called to meet the challenges of today’s world. CJ is unique in that our connection goes beyond a school district or diocese in that the eighteen other Society of Mary or Marianist High Schools communicate, engage in fellowship and pray with and for each other, share ideas and experiences and gather each year at an internationally attended meeting for Marianist school leaders to live out the Characteristics of a Marianist Education and the Charisms that inspire us. CJ also participates in gatherings of Sisters of Notre Dame educators nationally at conferences, further enriching our tradition of the ND Hallmarks of a learning community.
I am thankful for the opportunity being the principal at CJ offers me to serve a community that has served my family in the past, in the present and will continue to serve, in the future.
Peace and Go Eagles!
New This School Year
Principal's Blog
Follow along with CJ this school year as I share updates on the construction project and more on my new blog, The Eagles' Nest, available at www.cjeagles.org/principals-blog. And don't hesitate to join in the conversation!