Ohio Catholic school principal among White House 'Champions of Change' honorees

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CGE) - Yvonne Schwab will be one of the nine leaders in Catholic education from across the country who will be honored at the White House as one of "Champions of Change" for their service to their communities and the nation. 

 

Schwab, principal at St. James the Less Catholic School, Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, is being highlighted as an extraordinary individual whose made a significant impact on the students, families, and educators through Catholic schools and universities throughout America.

 

Among her great accomplishments so far, she took her school from two students to 260 out of a current student population totaling 497.

 

In a story from the Alliance for Catholic Education, released in December, Schwab said it's not just her doing all the work. "Really nothing here is done by me," she insisted to reporter William Schmitts. "It is always a community." 

 

Schmitt wrote that Schwab was referring to her faculty and staff, "but her story of this transformation makes it clear that she's also thanking Saint James the Less Parish, its pastor, the kids of the school and their parents, and a welcoming spirit of generosity that she experienced when she first came to this "diamond in the rough" neighborhood about 22 years ago." Schwab is not a newcomer, in infact, she's worked at the school about 15 years, teaching physical education prior to becoming principal.

 

The White House said that Schwab's innovative ideas and dedication to her students and to the wider community "demonstrates her strong commitment to ensuring that every child has an opportunity for greatness."

 

Alexia Kelley, Senior Policy Adviser, White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said of Schwab and the other honorees, “These Champions, like their colleagues in Catholic education across the country, inspire all of us to build up our communities and our nation’s young people.”

 

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

 

The growth of the Latino population under Schwab has spurred intensive training for the faculty and support staff in Spanish culture and language. “Our new understanding enabled us to assist the high school in developing its own English as a Second Language program and to facilitate a smooth transition for our students, Schwab said. 

 

But even though a large number of students with foreign language backgrounds and a 75 percent poverty rate in the student body, Schwab’s school demonstrated yearly progress on standardized tests at every grade level. She said, “We provide quality education for marginalized children through solid educational techniques and a faith-filled environment.” 

 

Real-world connections and the development of critical thinking skills, Schwab said, come from students studying issues like natural disasters, environmental problems, aging, disease, and poverty, and relating them to their lives. This has helped students become committed citizens who understand the Catholic call to service,” she said. She has been principal at St. James the Less Catholic School since 2004. The urban school now has 451 students in kindergarten through the eighth grade. 

 

According to the School Choice Ohio Blog, St. St. James the Less Catholic School was one of five private school principals in the nation named as a National Distinguished Principal by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

 

Schwab's school has 397 EdChoice students, the largest number of EdChoice Scholarship recipients at a single school in the state. Her dedication to her students, her school, and her community is outstanding, the website said, and "we are thrilled that she is receiving national recognition for a job well done." 

 

The National Distinguished Principals program began in 1984. The program honors public and private school principals who make superior contributions to their schools and communities. This year, 61 school administrators were recognized with the award.  Click here to check out the 2011 National Distinguished Principals from Ohio.