Kearns-Saint Ann School: Elizabeth Walsh

Intermountain Catholic

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Elizabeth Walsh

SALT LAKE CITY – Born in New York and raised in Minnesota, Elizabeth Walsh has been involved in diverse community services since a very young age.

Walsh started her teaching career in 2001 in a Catholic school in Chicago shortly after receiving her graduate degree. She holds an undergraduate degree in history and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She also has an Urban Catholic Teaching Core certification that she received while earning her graduate degree.

"I lived together with 11 other teachers and we were also volunteering in Catholic schools for two years while getting my master’s," Walsh said. "I absolutely loved it."

Walsh taught fifth grade at Kearns-Saint Ann School for two years before she got married and her husband was transferred to Brazil.

A few months ago her husband was transferred back to Utah so Walsh applied for the principal’s position at Kearns-St. Ann.

"I am Catholic and love the Catholic schools and I feel a real calling to be in a Catholic school because it’s a place in which you can develop both the moral and academic side, and the social justice aspect of it," Walsh said, adding that she enjoys the diverse student population at Kearns-St. Ann.

"I was very excited to take this position. I love working in diverse settings because it still allows you to interact with the students and build relationships with the parents and the teachers and build community among the staff," said Walsh. "I am here to help St. Ann’s thrive and work as a team. We have wonderful teachers and students here."

Although this new position in administration is different from being a teacher, Walsh said she is excited about the job "because now you are overseeing the wellbeing of all the school."

Her expectations are keeping the traditions of Kearns-St. Ann but also "promoting the positive changes that will help the students thrive both academically and spiritually," said Walsh.

Promoting a global perspective without forgetting the Catholic faith is another of her goals, and more now that Kearns-St. Ann offers Chinese to the students, she said.

Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools, said that Walsh’s enthusiasm, love and capacity to take challenges are some of the qualities that made her an ideal candidate for the position.

"The pastor worked a lot with her before she went to Brazil; the search committee was really excited when they heard about her being back in Utah. … She has a love for the school," Sr. Cathy said.

Walsh is being mentored by Mark Longe, principal of Saint Vincent de Paul School, who is helping her navigate and get comfortable in this new role.

"I want the students to always remember the Catholic identity and the social justice, because it’s important," she said, adding that the Catholic identity and a well-developed social conscience "promote a well-rounded individual that wants to give back."

Walsh wants to let parents and the community know that "If they ever walk in here [at Kearns-St. Ann], they will realize that it’s a welcoming environment. I think that they will understand that we are here for them. We have an open-door policy and we want to have that partnership with parents."