In the fall, Nativity Of Our Savior Catholic School welcomed Sally Skowronski as the new Principal of the Portage-based Pre-K to 8th-grade private school. Skowronski, who currently resides in Hobart, is originally from Hammond where her strong connection to her faith was built and would go on to influence her decision to take her experience to the Catholic private school.
“I’m a product of the diocese in Gary,” said Skowronski. “I graduated from St. John Bosco and Bishop Noll but when it came time to go away to school I went to Ball State for my undergraduate degree. When I looked for a job I ended up in the public schools. I spent twelve years in the public schools in the City of Hammond. I was a teacher and an instructional coach but, you know, truthfully it was always my plan to come back to the diocese. Being a product of the diocese and knowing the effect it had on me growing up and going to a Catholic school I knew I wanted to be part of that again in some capacity and I was fortunate enough that it was as an administrator.”
Skowronski and her husband moved to Hobart in 2007 and have had a connection to Nativity since becoming parishioners there in 2009. While her connection to Nativity stretches back several years, Skowronski has known the school’s Pastor, Andrew Corona, since her time at Bishop Noll.
“Father Andrew, who is our Pastor, I’ve known him since high school because he was our Campus Minister when I was a student there and I was involved in Campus Ministries,” said Skowronski. “I’ve always stayed in touch with him over the years and things just sort of fell in place. You know, it was the right place and the right time for me to come back here and become principal. I’ve absolutely loved the change and it’s just a lot nicer to be closer to home.”
For as long as Skowronski can remember she has always wanted to be a teacher and an educator.
“Being an educator has always been my calling,” Skowronski said. “I loved the idea of spending my days working with children and having been an elementary teacher for a number of years I got to live that dream. That was my goal. The idea of going into administration, that was always in the back of my mind as well. I really thought that I had the qualities to be a good leader so I like the idea of being able to lead a school. I still get those touches with the children and it’s not the same as being in the classroom all day which I do miss. I sometimes miss that routine of being with the same twenty or so students day in and day out.”
“In this capacity it’s pretty cool because I get to, so far, be the one they’re seeing in the hallway, welcoming them into the building and visiting them at lunch,” she continued. “I have that freedom to get to know everybody. In your classroom, you’re so focused on your students. Now, I might talk to a kindergartener right now and next I might be with one of our seventh or eighth graders. That’s one of the great things about being a principal, being able to be in everyone’s room.”
The ‘family’ atmosphere at Nativity is one of the major changes that Skowronski has welcomed since moving from the large public school corporation to the smaller, more intimate private school setting.
“We have amazing things going on here,” said Skowronski. “We have a really amazing staff here. This staff and this school is very much centered around a family atmosphere. To be a part of something like that is very special. That’s something I missed being in the public school. Here, everyone is very close. The families are so involved and it’s been so nice to come to an environment like that.”
Skowronski looks back with fond memories at her time in the Hammond public schools and the experience she gained there. The familiarity and the routine that she had developed there made it difficult for her to leave and take the chance coming back to the diocese.
“It’s just one of those things,” she said. “You take a chance and when you feel like you’re called to somewhere it’s worth taking that chance.”
One of Skowronski’s major goals is to get to know each and every student at Nativity. Having been a parishioner for several years has helped in becoming more familiar with the students and their families who attend the school and the church. She’ll also be working hard to grow Nativity and lead all of the schools educators by assuring they stay abreast of all of the newest curriculum and teaching strategies and resources that will lead to their students’ success.
“When it comes to making decisions, putting students first hasn’t steered me wrong so far,” Skowronski concluded. “When I make a decision, whether it’s twenty students in a classroom or 200 students in a school, what’s best for the students is my biggest concern.”