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Stoops takes over as principal at Holy Family Elementary
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .New Holy Family principal Kathy Stoops (far right) has spent her first few weeks in her new post forming new bonds with her students and teachers. On Sept. 7, Stoops visited Mandy Sinchak (far left) and her kindergarten classroom as they explored their new SMART Board and smiled with their new principal.
By SARAH FOOR
After 31 years, Kathy Stoops has retired after spending her entire teaching career in Youngstown City Schools. Stoops was already planning her relaxing free days before her niece, Holy Family fourth-grader Mariah Farragher, told Stoops that her school was looking for a new principal. After hanging up her teaching hat only months ago, Stoops took the new challenge and began her post as principal this September.
Although her decision to return from retirement wasn’t an easy one, Stoops knew it was right.
“Education is in my blood. I come from a wonderful family of dedicated teachers and coaches. When the option arose, I knew I wanted this challenge and wanted to help another group of kids reach their potential,” Stoops said.
Her family, in fact, is part of a great sports legacy in Youngstown and far beyond.
Her father, Ron Stoops, taught at Cardinal Mooney and was the school’s football defensive coordinator for 28 years. Stoops’ brothers, Ron Jr., Bob, Mike and Mark Stoops, have become coaches themselves at YSU, the University of Oklahoma, University of Arizona, and Florida State University, respectively.
However, Kathy Stoops appreciates her dad more as a teacher than a football legend.
“He really was a wonderful teacher – he was always prepared, passionate and found so much joy working with kids. My attitude about teaching has everything to do with my dad.”
Although she worked in public education for 31 years, her sibling’s, her own, and her children’s education at Mooney has made Stoops a passionate supporter of Catholic education.
“There is a commitment to values, morals, discipline and a no-excuses kind of attitude that has always made me a believer in Catholic schools,” Stoops says.
In her new post as principal, Stoops has found a warm welcome from students, teachers and parents at Holy Family.
“The school is in a great place. This summer, we’ve continued to install SMART boards in 10 classrooms, and we just unveiled a new gym floor. There’s a lot of energy, dedication and academic strength already at Holy Family. I’m happily continuing to sail the ship in that direction.”