Nolen C. Allen Hall, home of Bellarmine's School of Education

This fall, 11 Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education students and alumni begin their tenure as new principals and assistant principals in elementary, middle and high schools throughout Kentucky.

Eight of the new administrators are graduates of Bellarmine's Educational Specialist in Instructional Leadership & School Administration (Ed.S.), which is a post-master鈥檚 degree for educators seeking to move into or further careers in principal roles. Three have completed or are in the process of completing Bellarmine doctoral programs.

The newly named principals and assistant principals are: 
  • Travis Arnold (MAEd. 鈥�14, Ed.S. 鈥�17), assistant principal of Gallatin County Middle School
  • Andy Buchholz (Ed.S., 鈥�17), assistant principal of Henry County Middle School
  • Kathryn Ford (Ed.S. 鈥�16), assistant principal of St. Raphael Catholic School in Louisville
  • Shalonda Foster (Ed.S. 鈥�14), principal of Western Middle School for the Arts in Louisville
  • Robert E. Gunn Jr. (Ed.D. candidate, M.A. 鈥�07), principal of W.E.B. DuBois Academy in Louisville
  • Phillip Guthrie (Ed.S. 鈥�15), principal of New Castle Elementary School in Henry County
  • Jonathan Hart (MAEd. 鈥�12, Ed.S. 鈥�13), principal of North Livingston Elementary School in western Kentucky
  • Beau Johnston (Ed.S. 鈥�17), principal of Pleasant Grove Elementary School in Bullitt County
  • Karen Loper (Ph.D. candidate), principal of St. Edward Catholic School in Louisville
  • Dr. Heather Orman (Ph.D., 鈥�16), principal of Newport High School in northern Kentucky
  • Sarah Peace (MAT '10/Ed.S. '15), principal of Mercy Academy.
Additionally, Dr. Rick Blackwell, a Louisville Metro Council member who earned earned his undergraduate degree from Bellarmine in 1984, is the new president of DeSales High School.

鈥淲e are so proud of our graduates who have officially accepted school leadership roles," said Dr. Rosie Young, the School of Education's head of graduate programs and a veteran school principal herself. "They are well prepared to take on this critical role of improving student achievement and moving schools forward. We know they will make a difference.鈥�

The Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education graduated 126 students across all education programs this past year.