The Search is over…
In the ‘breaking news’ department, this is to let you know that the principal search committee has concluded its work and offered a position to a candidate. And he said yes. So, we have a principal for next year and beyond. (God willing) His name is Jacob Reft, and he comes to us from the St. Louis Public School System. But rather than having me talk, let me use his words in a little bio he wrote.
Hello St. Ann Parishioners,
My name is Jacob Reft and I am thrilled to be taking on the Principal role at St. Ann School. St. Ann is a strong school with talented and caring staff, scholarly, hard-working students, and a dedicated Catholic parish offering support and guidance. I am very blessed to be able to join this community. I hope to bring my own leadership skills and education experiences to the St. Ann staff and help continue the tradition of academic excellence and faith formation among our students.
I have been a practicing Catholic all my life and grew up in Catholic education. I attended St. Norbert School through 8th grade before moving on to St. Louis University High School. I then went to Xavier University in Cincinnati and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education. I returned to St. Louis where I began working for the St. Louis Public Schools, specializing in autism education for young learners. I earned my Master’s degree in Education Administration from UMSL.
I live in Shrewsbury with my wife Katie and my son John Henry. We are expecting another little one this summer!Our home parish is Our Holy Redeemer. I am excited to become an academic and spiritual leader for the St. Ann community, ‘The Rock of Normandy’!
Thank you,
-Jacob Reft
Ms. Reichenbach and I will be in contact with Jacob in the months ahead, working together to create a smooth transition. In the mean time, if you would keep Jacob and his family in your prayers, that would be a great thing as he begins to prepare himself to be our spiritual and administrative leader here at St. Ann school.
Thank you for your prayers in this discernment process. And thanks be to God for having already shaped and formed Jacob into an ideal candidate for our St. Ann school, where “students are valued and values are taught.”