In the Spotlight: Superintendent Cris Carter Leads Oklahoma City Catholic Schools

How long have you been involved in Catholic schools and in what capacity?

For seventeen years, I have been proud to minister in Catholic schools. I began my career teaching high school English at a wonderful public school, but when my son entered Kindergarten at our parish school, I fell in love with the place. The following year, the school needed a principal, and our Deacon and his wife asked me if I would consider applying for the job. I thought "No way I could ever be a principal," but the more I reflected on the wonderful faith my son was developing, I felt I couldn't say no. I served the school as principal for six wonderful years.

Throughout that time, our superintendent, Sr. Catherine Powers, was a fabulous mentor, helping me grow and learn in so many ways. One day, she asked if I would consider becoming the associate superintendent. For ten years, I worked with her; during the last four, I learned about ACE Collaborative.

What has been your experience with ACE Collaborative?

What a gift that has been. Dr. (Tom) Doyle and Sr. Gail Mayotte first shared the curriculum development process, unit planning, and data based decision-making strategies at a conference for administrators, and immediately I recognized that our Archdiocese, the children, principals and teachers could really use this program. I thought, "This is what we need to grow and become excellent."

I am so pleased with our participation and appreciate the boost ACE Collaborative has given our schools. Our teachers have grown close to one another and begun to network, creating Facebook pages to share ideas, and calling each other to ask questions. I love that they don't feel isolated and alone; that they are talking about what they do well and about where they would like to improve. The energy and enthusiasm they bring to the process is electric. It is a delight to watch teachers capture an idea and run with it. That excitement animates us, and that in turn inspires our students.

As a leader in Catholic schools, what would you like most for others to understand about our schools?

Catholic schools have the unique opportunity to not only tell the story of Christ's love for us, but also to offer the tools to live that love. What a gift to be able to write on the very souls of the children and adults we minister among. When we are loved and valued, there is nothing we can't accomplish, and Catholic schools inspire us to be our best selves, to be God's image and presence. Who wouldn't want that kind of confidence and sense of purpose for their child? That is what our schools do for our children each and every day.

Share your favorite story of hope, where Catholic schools are concerned.

Two years ago when I was doing research for my dissertation, I interviewed college students who participated in service-learning while in Catholic high school. As a result of that experience, they chose to continue serving society's marginalized during college. I wanted to find out if their moral development was rooted in a Catholic understanding of morality. I quickly learned that they believed their service was "a calling." They spoke movingly about seeing God's presence in the people they encountered (one girl used the term "Christ sighting," which she learned from her campus minister during high school). Clearly, their service was not about them; it was about being present to others and inspiring them to come along and build God's Kingdom.

I firmly believe that the combination of our Catholic schools and their parents' commitment to our mission helped form these students into people who want to make the world a better place. Our schools continue to provide that kind of formation each and every day. We make a difference in the lives of our students, but also in the lives of those our students come to know and serve. Wow! That is God's hand at work.