After 25 years in Catholic education, farewell with love

By Vernell Bowen
Superintendent of Schools

It is with bittersweet emotions that I write this column for the Catholic Schools Herald section. This will be my last article as superintendent of Catholic schools. I will be retiring as of June 30.

I have been asked by many what my plans are going to be. The immediate plans are for my husband and me to take some road trips together to see sights we have not seen in the past, maybe a trip to the northeastern and northwestern states. My husband, who is an avid golfer, would like to step foot on the hallowed golf course of St. Andrews in Scotland. So maybe this will be in our plans. I also plan to catch up on some home projects that have been pushed aside over many years.

Several years ago I took some Catholic leadership courses at the Catholic University where I did a paper on the black Catholic schools in Arkansas. I have promised some people who helped me with my research to write a book on this part of our Catholic heritage. Hopefully, I will have time to devote to this unfinished project. 

Of my 48 years in education, the 25 years of service to Catholic schools has been the most rewarding. In my Catholic school experience, I have had the privilege of working with two bishops, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Anthony B. Taylor, as well as an appointed administrator, Msgr. Gaston Hebert. I could not have done this job without their support and prayers. I have served with many wonderful pastors and principals. When there is exemplary leadership from pastors and principals who understand that Catholic schools are a mission of the Church, as we have in our diocese, the schools tend to become great places of evangelization.

My first experience in Catholic schools was in 1993 as principal at St. Edward in Little Rock. I served as principal for nine years before becoming superintendent. There was one computer in the school and it was not being used. Talk about changes over the past 25 years. Not only do all the schools have computers, but students now have their own devices. Smartphones were  not on the horizon in 1993. What would our society do without smartphones today?

One of the greatest advancements for education has been technology. However, without a well-educated, caring teacher in the classroom these are just devices. A teacher gives comfort, teaches morals and gives advice on a regular basis. Hopefully, education never advances to the stage of students having no contact with a human being in their learning environment.

Our way of communicating with each other has changed dramatically in the past few years. With texting and messenger, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, communication is at our fingertips and we can reach out to anyone worldwide any time day or night. These can be positive forms of communicating if used prudently. In some ways, I have found these forms of communication to be a downfall in how we treat each other with respect. It is easier to say something negative about a person when you are not face-to-face to see the emotion that can be caused with the way we communicate. Teachers will need to continue to teach respect for each other and the ethics of utilizing new technology. 

As I make annual visits to the schools, I continue to be impressed with the way our students and teachers live out the mission of the Church. Students are taught the importance of building community, living out their faith and service to others. My prayer is that all Catholic parents will come to know the blessing Catholic schools are to their children and society and make sacrifices to send their children to a Catholic school. The education and building community our children receive in Catholic schools will last a lifetime.

As stated in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose.” I feel I have had many seasons in my life and with God’s help and guidance I will be entering into a new season. I will continue to pray daily for parents, students, faculty, donors and pastors. May God send his blessings on all who support Catholic education.

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