Hello, my name is Ronda Swartz, and I am excited to embrace the role of Executive Director for the Mother Theodore Catholic Academies (MTCA). I have served in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis as a school administrator for the past fourteen years–most of those years at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) in the heart of Meridian Kessler. While at IHM our school earned the National Blue Ribbon of Academic Excellence in 2019. While the National Blue Ribbon of Academic Excellence is an outstanding achievement, I am most proud of the long-standing relationships that I have developed with the staff, with the school families, and with the parish community. It was an absolute honor serving as principal in the archdiocese. Prior to my time at IHM, I worked in Decatur Township as a teacher and instructional coach for eight years. My children, Luke and Lucy, attend Roncalli and St. Jude on the southside of Indianapolis, where we are also parishioners.

In Catholic education, we like to start each new year with a theme. This year’s theme will be “New Beginnings”. The concept of new beginnings really speaks to me because this is a new chapter both in my life as an educator and for the academies as we transition from our partnership with Notre Dame, it is a new opportunity to expand on the groundwork Notre Dame started. Each day is a new beginning–an opportunity to teach and to learn, an opportunity to foster the love of Catholic education, an opportunity to welcome children and others in our community into closer relationship with Christ. Many of us dislike change, but God would tell us to fear not! With God, it is all about new beginnings. God shows us through scripture how he defines new and how the newness can make a difference in our lives. I am embracing this new opportunity to serve and support students and families in the heart of Indianapolis and to work with our many supporters.

The MTCA will focus on the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools. These standards are clearly outlined in the strategic plan presented and approved in the spring. The four domains are Mission and Catholic Identity, Leadership and Governance, Academic Excellence, and Operational Vitality. The benchmarks that accompany each standard provide observable, measurable descriptors for each standard. Our strategic plan prioritizes key benchmarks in each of the four domains, sets clear goals, and prescribes specific actions that will ensure our success. Coming on board as Executive Director, I am in awe of the hard work and dedication of the principals and the board members and numerous supporters of the Mother Theodore Catholic Academies. I applaud all their efforts and dedication. I look forward to serving with them in this imperative and inspiring mission of the Catholic Church.

We would like to congratulate Zoe Smith who is the second recipient of the Jack Shockley Peacemaker Scholarship! This scholarship will allow Zoe to attend four years of high school at an archdiocesan high school. Zoe will be attending Scecina Memorial High School in the fall. 

After the death of their son Jack, the Shockley family lovingly created a scholarship to exemplify Jack’s qualities which lead people to peace, generosity, friendship and kindness. Eighth grade students from the MTCA schools were invited to apply for the scholarship by submitting a 200-word essay or a two-minute video along with a letter of recommendation from a teacher.