We are extremely pleased to announce that Jenni Ellis has been appointed as Principal at Saint Mary’s Catholic School. As you know, we have conducted a nationwide search for a new principal that would uphold the high standards of excellence at Saint. Mary’s. We are blessed that this search has brought Ms. Ellis to Saint Mary’s Catholic School and I ask that you join me in welcoming Ms. Ellis to our community.
Ms. Ellis was most recently Head of School at Sophia Academy in Atlanta, Georgia which merged with Notre Dame Academy, a Marist Catholic and International Baccalaureate World School in Duluth, Georgia. Sophia Academy was a Marist school for children with learning differences and served students in kindergarten through 12th grade. As Head of School, Ms. Ellis successfully kept classes intentionally small and instruction very individualized.
Prior to Sophia Academy, Ms. Ellis served at Marist School in Atlanta, GA as Assistant Principal from 2007 – 2015 where she supervised the Director of Diversity, Clubs Coordinator, Education Technology Specialist, Debate Program and Fine Arts Program. She coordinated faculty and professional development opportunities and oversaw all operations of the school during the principal’s absence. Ms. Ellis also served as Director of Student Activities from 2004 – 2007 where she supervised 56 non-athletic extracurricular and co-curricular activities, developed and executed a student leadership training program and served as administrator for the student government association and moderator for the student council.
From 2000 – 2004, Ms. Ellis worked at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, GA as Assistant Principal and prior to that as Media Specialist where she helped open the school, collaborated with teachers across grade levels and subjects and provided professional development for faculty and staff on instructional and technology resources. She served on the academic council and student support team, worked with students at all grade levels to ensure effective use of resources and information, and taught classes on digital literacy, evaluating sources and the use of media center re- sources to students, faculty, staff, and parents.
Prior to her administrative roles, Ms. Ellis taught 6th and 8th grade math, reading, language arts, and social studies for four years and was involved in many roles at Westside Middle School in Rocky Face, GA.
Ms. Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education from the University of Georgia, a certificate in gifted education from North Georgia RESA, and a master’s degree in library media technology from Georgia State University. In addition, Ms. Ellis has completed educational leadership coursework at Georgia State University and has given numerous presentations at National Catholic Educational Association Annual Conventions and other conferences.
Ms. Ellis has been an active member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Atlanta as a Stephen Minister, catechist, women’s faith group co-founder and facilitator, as well as a member of professional associations such as National Catholic Educational Association, Association for Middle Level Education, Georgia Independent School Association and Southern Association of Independent Schools.
Ms. Ellis enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends as well as travel, yoga, and reading. Her eight year old son, Tilden, will enroll at Saint Mary’s School as a 3rd grader. Ms. Ellis and Tilden will be relocating to Richmond from Atlanta during October to prepare for their first day at Saint Mary’s on November 1.
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Jenni Ellis to the Saint Mary’s Catholic School and Parish community and in thanking Dr. Cheryl Henig for all of her hard work, dedication, and leadership as Interim Principal for the past 6 ½ months.
Dr. Henig has done a remarkable job stepping in when we needed her and we are grateful for her steadfast leadership.
In Christ,
Fr. Renninger
Pastor