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After weeks of meetings and interviews, the St. Isidore School search committee has selected a new principal to replace retiring principal Jean Schroeder.

The group, -- comprised of teachers parishioners, school board members and parish priest-Father Moran -- made a unanimous decision to select Maria Ward as principal beginning July 1. Ward first joined the St. Isidore staff 10 years ago as a fourth grade teacher.

Ward immediately felt at home in her new surroundings and, after four years in the lower grades, she began teaching eighth grade. In 2010, she became the school's vice principal. Ward said that she feels honored and blessed to be trusted with the role of leading St. Isidore is looking forward to this next step in her career.

"When she speaks of her upcoming role as school leader, you can clearly hear the genuine warmth in her voice and dedication to the school through her words," said Sharon Leone, St. Isidore's pubic relations coordinator.

Ward graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University and continued her education at
Dominican University where she received her Master of Science in Education and her administrative service credential. Post college, she entered the business world and gained experience in finance and management.

St. Isidore School is a K-8 school with 648 kids and is twice the size of most Catholic elementary schools in the area, Leone noted. Ward will continue to develop learning initiatives already underway, including increasing small group instruction time across grades and subjects. Ensuring that all teachers incorporate the skills necessary for 21st century learning will also remain a high priority under Ward's leadership.

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