Four new principals get ready for school; one transfers

Published: August 15, 2009

Malea Hargett

Four new Catholic school principals for the 2009-2010 year are (standing, from left) Jason Pohlmeier of St. Edward School in Little Rock; Brad Kent of St. Joseph School in Paris; (seated, from left) Matthew Tucker of St. Joseph Primary School in Conway; and George Robertson of Immaculate Conception School in North Little Rock.

Malea Hargett

Jason Pohlmeier, St. Edward School, Little Rock

Family: Wife Erin and two children

Hometown: Paris, Ark.

Education: Bachelor's degree in religious education and bachelor's degree in theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville; master's degree in Catholic schools leadership, University of Dallas (will graduate in May 2010)

Teaching experience: eighth, ninth and 10th grade religion and oral communications, (religious studies department head for three years), assistant baseball coach, Subiaco Academy, 2005-2009

Goals: The mission of St. Edward is to carry out the four-fold dimension of Catholic education: message, service, community and worship. My goal is to utilize the wonderful programs that are already in place and implement any new ideas that will help us to accomplish that more effectively.

Favorite saints: St. Isaac Jogues, St. Joseph of Cupertino, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. John Bosco

Hobbies: playing with my kids, watching baseball and movies and playing Ultimate Frisbee.

Educational philosophy: A Catholic school has no higher goal than to inspire people, from the moment they walk through the doors, to be more like Jesus Christ and to form them in his ways.

Main benefits of Catholic education: Catholic education attempts to build up students academically, physically, socially, spiritually and emotionally.

Brad Kent, St. Joseph School, Paris

Family: Wife Casey and one child

Hometown: Coal Hill

Education: Bachelor's degree in health and physical education, Arkansas Tech University; master's degree in educational leadership, Arkansas Tech University, fall 2009

Teaching experience: Geometry, head baseball and junior high football coach, assistant senior high football coach, Subiaco Academy, 2005-2009

Goals: To make a difference in lives of students and teachers, and to help St. Joseph grow as an educational community

Favorite saint: St. Benedict

Hobbies: Spending time with family, riding four-wheelers with son, golf, basketball

What do you look forward to the most: The challenge of being a building-level leader

Educational philosophy: I believe in educating every child. In my opinion every child can learn and they will learn if provided the opportunity.

Main benefits of Catholic education: The fact that both parents' and students' faith is embedded in their everyday learning at school.

George Robertson, Immaculate Conception School, North Little Rock

Family: Wife Deborah and one child

Hometown: Little Rock

Education: Bachelor's degree and master's degree in educational leadership, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Teaching experience: behavior specialist for seven years, Broward County School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; English as a Second Language for six years, BEPS in Brussels, Belgium; science teacher for six years, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock

Goals: To work hard, listen and grow

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23

Hobbies: basketball, weightlifting, politics, landscaping

What do you look forward to the most in this school year? Working with the teachers and kids

Main benefits of Catholic education: Developing a foundation for a relationship with God.

Matthew Tucker, St. Joseph Primary School, Conway

Family: Wife Jennifer and three children

Hometown: Camdenton, Mo.

Education: Bachelor's degree in elementary education, University of Central Arkansas; master's degree in educational administration, University of Arkansas

Teaching experience: Marguerite Vann Elementary, Conway, fifth grade, six years; Ruth Doyle Intermediate, Conway, fifth grade, eight years; and Ida Burns Elementary, Conway, kindergarten-fourth grade, three years

Goals: To foster an environment for spiritual growth for our young students, maintain high level of academic achievement

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13

Hobbies: Dove, deer, duck and turkey hunting

What do you look forward to the most in this school year? Working collectively with the staff and parents to develop the best young minds possible.

Educational philosophy: I believe all children can learn, and every student should be given an equal opportunity to gain an education.

Main benefits of Catholic education: The excellent academics you receive from the dedicated teachers within the schools. The opportunity to develop students spiritually with the changing culture.

Transfer and new administrator Diane Wolfe left Immaculate Conception School in North Little Rock to become the principal of Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock. Teresa Kobs has been named the administrator at St. John School in Russellville.

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