Perfect-Fit Principal Brings New Life to Historic Mobile School

Two years ago, when a Catholic school serving some of the most at-risk children in Mobile, Ala. began its search for a new principal, there was only one obvious choice. No one knew the school better, no one had a better sense for its culture and history, and no one got along better with the students than assistant principal and counselor Jamie Crain.

But in her first year as principal at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School, Crain struggled. She knew what needed to happen to keep the school running, but often found herself wondering if there were better or more efficient ways to manage the school and keep expectations high.

Crain had great relationships with the students, but needed help in creating a balanced budget. Her rapport with parents was superb, but she sought to make the school culture even stronger. And she was well-respected by the staff, but wanted guidance in how she could help them become more effective educators.

“Despite the struggles, I realized I was good at what I was doing, but it would be necessary to the get the training and credentials if I wanted to continue to have a positive effect on the school and community,” Crain said.

Crain turned to the Alliance for Catholic Education, which had been sending teachers to Heart of Mary for years. She applied to become a part of the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program, which prepares future leaders of Catholic schools.

“The Remick Leadership Program provided not only a great overview of those skills and habits that strong leaders should have, but also realistic ways to put them into practice,” Crain said.

The Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program is a 25-month opportunity that develops schools to nurture strong Catholic school culture, engage in effective executive management of school operations, and serve as an instructional leaders in a school community and culminates in a Masters of Educational Leadership. Crain recently completed her first summer of coursework in the program.

“I returned back to school doing the same things I had done the previous year, but with different eyes, and with a new vision.”

Most Pure Heart of Mary quickly saw the fruits of Crain's time at Notre Dame. Enrollment started the 2012-13 academic year at 115 students. In just over a year, enrollment grew nearly 40 percent, with enrollment on the first day of this school year at 160. Crain said she hopes to keep the enrollment growing, and credits the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program for giving her valuable tools for improving the academic atmosphere and Catholic culture of the school. With five of the public schools in Mobile designated as “failing,” parents are seeking safer, faith-based option.

“Our parents want a small teacher to student ratio, and they want a safe environment for their kids that the other public schools can’t always provide,” Crain said. “Although most of our families are not Catholic, the vast majority are Christian, and they all want their students to pray at school and learn about Jesus. The Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program has been immensely helpful in helping me become both a leader in the school and in the faith.”

Most Pure Heart of Mary has been serving the African American Catholic community of Mobile for 116 years. The school currently houses 11 regular classrooms that serve students in grades PreK-3 to eight. The school serves a low-income population, and with a Catholic school salary, Crain wasn’t sure how she would pay for the program. Thanks to a generous donor, she received a full scholarship and was able to embrace the program without worrying about financial barriers.

“Enrolling in the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program is definitely not something I would have pursued without the scholarship,” Crain said. “It’s such a tremendous blessing.”

Learn more about the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program below.

To apply, visit ace.nd.edu/leadership/become-a-leader/how-to-apply