News from Saint John School on their new Principal, Mrs. Karen McLaughlin:
Born in Dorchester and raised in Quincy was educated at Bridgewater State University, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Art. After graduating, she worked in the Quincy Public Schools and then she taught in the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Boston. Karen decided to return to school because she wanted to make the difference in the life of a child- academically, socially, and spiritually. She received her Master’s Degree in School Administration which an emphasis on elementary education from Emmanuel College. Mrs. McLaughlin taught middle school at St. Mary School in West Quincy and then assumed the role of principal at St. Mary School. In 1995 she was appointed the administrator of St. Paul School in Wellesley and she remained there as the administrator for the past seventeen years. Mrs. McLaughlin has twenty two years of administrative experience as well as proficiency in initiating new programs, optimizing the learning atmosphere, staff development and ensuring a safe environment for her students. She has a proven record for exceeding faculty goals through effective internal and external communication, and a firm commitment to developing the needs of the whole child-spiritual, academic and emotional.
Mrs. McLaughlin’s love for education and children is evident in her daily interactions with the faculty, staff, parents, and students. She believes in leading by example and holds her students and faculty to the highest standards. Her primary goals at St. John School are to instill a love for learning among the students with Christ at the center and to maintain St John School’s strong tradition of academic excellence. With the collaboration of faculty, staff, students, parents, and parishioners, it is her hope to develop new and innovative programs that will continue to place St. John School at the forefront in Catholic education.
St. John’s increasing enrollment has prompted a number of renovations to take place this summer at 9 Moon Street. There are three new classrooms being renovated, one of the classrooms will house the new three year old program and the other classrooms will be for an additional four year old class and an additional first grade. Along with new classrooms a wireless network has been installed and the first floor of the school is undergoing a transformation with new flooring and newly painted walls. This is truly a wonderful position for our school to be in but there is still much to do. Mrs. McLaughlin is looking forward to working with parents and the North End Community to move SJS into the future and to provide the best education for our students so that they achieve their full potential.
