The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph announced today that Ann Wright will join St. Michael the Archangel High School (SMA) as assistant principal next fall. Ann will finish the 2020-21 school year in her current role as principal at St. John LaLande Catholic School.
 
In her farewell letter to the St. John LaLande community, Ann shared that she has accepted a part-time position as assistant principal at St. Michael the Archangel where will continue to embrace the St. John LaLande family but in a different role, as part of the administrative team at SMA.  She will join Jodi Briggs, principal, and several former students and colleagues at SMA and she is looking forward to the challenge. 

Ann closed her letter, saying, “I will be always and forever grateful for the warm welcome extended to me and for the people who I have come to cherish and will call forever, friends. I especially want to thank the staff of St. John LaLande. We have some of the best teachers and support staff in our diocese and your children have always, and will continue to always be, their first and most important priority.”
 
Please congratulate Ms. Wright on this news and join us in praying for her success.

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph welcomes Dr. Karen Kroh as superintendent of Catholic diocesan and parish schools following a national search. Kroh will step into the role as the diocese bids farewell to Dr. Dan Peters, who will retire after 15 years in Catholic education and more than a decade as superintendent of KCSJ Catholic schools. 

"Dr. Kroh immediately stood out to us as an ideal candidate to lead our diocesan and parish schools with her experience, reputation and strong commitment to the Catholic faith and the mission of Catholic Schools," said Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. "We are eager for Karen to join our team and know that she will have a positive and lasting impact on the students, families, teachers and staff across the diocese."

Kroh brings more than 25 years of experience in all levels of education from early-childhood through college, and a consistent record of achievement in positions of leadership, instruction, curriculum, faith formation, special education and professional development. She has earned a bachelor's degree in family and child development as well as a master's degree in special education, both from Auburn University. Karen has also received an English as a New Language endorsement from Notre Dame and a Doctorate in School Leadership from St. Louis University.

"The selection committee was immediately impressed with Karen's commitment to Catholic education, her strong faith and the great energy she will bring to the role," said Jodi Briggs, principal at St. Michael the Archangel High School, and a member of the selection committee chosen to evaluate the candidates for KCSJ Catholic Schools superintendent. "She has earned great respect from the communities that she has served through her work and leadership and presents herself as a strong servant leader."

Kroh most recently served in the role of associate superintendent for student services in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Office of Catholic Schools, which she has held since 2004. Kroh's experience includes more than a decade as adjunct faculty member at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. She is also published in the Journal of Catholic Education.
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Kroh is honored to be chosen as KCSJ Schools superintendent, saying "Working with Catholic schools and leaders in the Archdiocese of Kansas City and other Catholic school superintendents and leaders across the country has allowed me to develop a holistic vision of the critical role Catholic schools play for our students, families and our Church."

Following extensive review and evaluation of several qualified candidates, Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr., and Superintendent Dr. Dan Peters, are pleased to announce that Shelley Henn has accepted the role of principal at Holy Cross School. Ms. Henn has been a teacher at Holy Cross for 29 years and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership. 
 
Ms. Henn is a devoted Catholic educator and community advocate, and describes herself as “passionate, enthusiastic and dedicated … centered on building relationships with the community, empowering teachers by cultivating leadership skills, implementing technology-based instructional programs for effective data-driven decision making, creating a collaborative and inclusive learning environment, and developing new and innovative strategies to meet the goals and vision of the school.”
 
Ms. Henn has had a positive impact on our community outside of the classroom through creating and maintaining partnerships with various organizations including Upper Room, Kansas City Community Gardens, Mattie Rhodes Center, Rockhurst University, and the University of Missouri.
 
Please congratulate Ms. Henn on this exciting news and join us in praying for her success.