In their search for a new head for their middle school, School of the Holy Child administrators didn’t have to look far to find the best candidate. This month, they announced the appointment of Colleen Pettus, currently head of Saints John & Paul School in Larchmont, which serves grades K-8.

 

 

By Robin Jovanovich

 

In their search for a new head for their middle school, School of the Holy Child administrators didn’t have to look far to find the best candidate. This month, they announced the appointment of Colleen Pettus, currently head of Saints John & Paul School in Larchmont, which serves grades K-8.

 

Ms. Pettus, in an interview with the paper last week, said, “Holy Child is a good fit. The school is a welcoming community and possesses a joyful spirit.”

 

Having mentored many students, including a number of student teachers at Columbia University Teachers College, Ms. Pettus says one of her primary goals at Holy Child will be to ensure “the dignity of each student. It’s important for every girl to be known as an individual and as an individual learner. Middle school students need to find that important connection to grow.”

 

She continues, “I look forward to helping build the confidence of each Holy Child student. “I went to an all-girl’s school and am a firm believer in single-sex education.” She also believes her experience as an administrator, teacher, and mother of four (ages 6 to 13) will stand her well in the new position.

 

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in English from the State University of New York at Albany, she received a M.A. in English Education from Columbia University Teachers College.

 

Her first day as Head of Middle School at Holy Child is July 1.