ABOUT US
St. Ann Catholic School is a Catholic learning community with a joyous, family atmosphere in the third year of
transitioning to a classical education model. This transition has taken the form of a re-founding in which we
have recovered the depth of our catholic identity, reimagined the curriculum in keeping with the principles of
classical pedagogy, and rediscovered the joy in truth available through engagement with the fullness of our
tradition and sacramental life. Saint Ann is located next to Annunciation of the Lord parish in Decatur, a
vibrant small city in northern Alabama. Our motto is “Joy in Truth” and we seek to form the senses for beauty,
intellects for wisdom, hearts for charity, and souls for sainthood—all for the greater glory of God. We
currently serve grades PreK – 6th with plans to expand to 8th grade in the coming years.
THE ROLE OF PRINCIPAL
The principal is responsible for ensuring that the doctrines and teachings of the Catholic faith are taught and
that the students are formed in Faith in Christ and His Church. He or she leads the educational ministry at the
school.
The principal is responsible for academic excellence. This includes the hiring, training, and oversight of
teachers, determination of curricula, and establishment of ongoing strategic plans for learning ordered to
wisdom, utilizing a classical approach. He or she is the head teacher of the school.
The principal is responsible for the culture of the academy. This involves the creation of a beautiful, calm,
respectful, and serious learning environment that enculturates the teachers and students into the riches of
western catholic heritage and traditions and the fullness of the catholic imagination. The environment must
bring to the forefront the moral and spiritual formation of all as members of the Church, country, and world.
Students must be shown what it means to be gentle, academic, artistic, and cultured. He or she is the cultural
and moral exemplar of the school community.
The principal is responsible for the communication with the parents, the parish, and the community. This
involves oversight of messaging, websites, ad campaigns, and school events. It requires the ability to articulate
the mission and apply it in all manner of practical circumstances. The principal is the primary spokesperson and
advocate for the school.
QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate must be a practicing Catholic who is able to fully participate in the Sacraments of the Church;
who demonstrates a willingness to participate in faith formation opportunities for continued growth and
spiritual formation; who possesses a master’s degree in educational leadership or a related field; who holds
current principal certification in the State of Alabama or is willing to obtain it. The candidate must possess the
ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and parents to help them grow educationally,
professionally, and spiritually. He or she must possess an understanding of child/adolescent growth and development.
He or she must possess an understanding of leadership and administrative work in an elementary school setting.
The ideal candidate will also possess all or some of the following characteristics: a successful background in
teaching and leadership/administration in a school setting; experience and understanding of finance, budgeting,
projections, and capital campaigns; an undergraduate degree or personal studies with a strong, liberal arts core
and elements of philosophy and theology—an advanced degree in philosophy or theology is most welcome;
familiarity with the curricula, pedagogy, and theories of liberal education in the western tradition, including
recent developments in classical schooling; versatility with web design, social media, and advertising; and
familiarity with or fluency in Spanish.
SEARCH PROCESS
Interested applicants should email their curriculum vitae and a substantive cover letter, speaking to their vision
of catholic education, to the superintendent of schools at mdubose@bhmdiocese.org
Find a more substantive job description here: https://saintanndecatur.org/employment/
The position will be open until filled. Start date is July 2026.
