New leaders chosen for Paris, Conway schools

Published: August 19, 2016

Christy Koprovic

St. Joseph, Paris

• Hometown: Fort Smith

• Education: Non-Public School Administration Certification, University of Dallas, 2008; master’s degree in early childhood education, University of Phoenix, 2006; bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education, Hendrix College, 1993

• Educational experience: St. Boniface School, Fort Smith, infant-toddler director, sixth-grade and kindergarten teacher, 10 years; Northside High School, English teacher, three years; Mansfield Junior High, English teacher, one year.

• Educational philosophy: A cornerstone of my philosophy of education is to always make decisions by considering what is best for children. Further, I am firmly committed to the Benedictine Catholic philosophy of prayer, work and service.

• Benefits of Catholic education: A Catholic school education is an investment in that child’s future. Because most children spend their days in school and then activities, family time is harder to find for most families. It is difficult to give children a firm Catholic foundation of faith, tradition and service when they spend so much time immersed in the secular world. Being in a Catholic school means that children are taught the values, morality, respect and love they will need to be successful in life. Even when times are hard as the child grows old, they can draw from the foundation that they received from their Catholic school. A child can learn to read almost anywhere, but a Catholic school is where a child comes to grow in character and live in community.

• Favorite saint or Scripture: My favorite saints are St. Monica and St. Therese of Lisieux (“Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.”)

• Hobbies: I have nine kids. Kids are my hobby! Seriously though, I like to read (and try to find quiet places to do so!) and do arts and crafts stuff. We also love to “glamp” (camping with style) as a family.

Diane Wolfe

St. Joseph High School, Conway

• Hometown: Little Rock

• Education: doctoral candidate, Interdisciplinary Leadership, 2016, University of Central Arkansas, Conway; master’s degree in school leadership, management and administration, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, 2008; bachelor’s degree in secondary education, Louisiana State University-Shreveport, 1983

• Educational experience: math teacher, Colorado Springs Colo., two years; Shreveport, La., one year; Central High School, Little Rock, nine years; Immaculate Conception North Little Rock, four years; Mount St. Mary Academy, Little Rock, three years; principal, Immaculate Conception, North Little Rock, three years; and Mount St. Mary Academy, Little Rock, five years.

• Educational philosophy: Beyond striving to ensure that students learn the fundamental content of the curriculum, my objective as an administrator is to cultivate an environment steeped in academic excellence and service in a community of faith.

• Benefits of Catholic education: I believe we are all called to serve as examples and walk in the steps of Jesus Christ. There is no better way to prepare our children for this path than to provide an environment steeped in values, morality and spirituality. The ability to pray with our students and share our spirituality is very powerful. Catholic education understands this.

• Favorite saint or Scripture: My favorite Scripture is actually quite simple but again, very powerful: “Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

• Hobbies: Currently, my hobbies revolve around the research I am doing in order to finish my dissertation.

Click for the Catholic Schools Herald, August 2016 index