During the past few months, the Department of Catholic Schools, in conjunction with members of the Rosary community, has been conducting a search for the next leader of Rosary Academy. It received applications and interviewed candidates from inside and outside the diocese, all who were excited about the possibility of leading Rosary into a bright future. The Selection Committee is very grateful to the many women and men who put their names forward for consideration for this important position.
After a lengthy interview process, taking into account both the present and future need of the school, the Selection Committee made its recommendation to Bishop Vann who agreed with the committee’s decision.
Superintendent of Catholic Schools Greg Dhuyvetter made the announcement on Friday. The new Head of School for Rosary Academy is Ms. Shawna Pautsch.
Ms. Pautsch is uniquely qualified for leadership of Rosary Academy. She served as social studies teacher, Activities Director, and Assistant Principal of Rosary from 1991 – 2014. During that time she developed her knowledge and passion for single-sex female education and her love for Rosary. From 2014 to present she has served as Assistant Principal of Faculty and Instruction at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Her experiences at multiple schools, coupled with her work in the spheres of both activities and curriculum, give her the experience and knowledge to appreciate the history and traditions of Rosary while charting a path for its successful future.
Ms. Pautsch earned her BA in History, her MA in Education, and her Administrative Credential from Loyola Marymount University. She is currently a doctoral candidate from Concordia University in Portland.
She will be joining the Rosary community full time on July 5. Her initial tasks will be to assess and fill school personnel needs, establish strong administrative structure, lead the completion of the WCEA/WASC accreditation process, and establish a Consultative School Board to strategically plan for the future of the school. Among the priorities will be enrollment growth, continued instructional development, expansion of program offerings, and preserving the spirit and the culture that makes Rosary unique in the Diocese and in Southern California.