From the New School Principal

To the St. Theresa Community:
 
First off, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Fr. Larry Covington, Superintendent Misty Poe, and the Principal Search Committee for providing me and my family with this wonderful opportunity to become a part of the St. Theresa school and parish family. My wife, Carolina and I attended the High Mass at St. Theresa’s while we were in Austin last month and it was simply beautiful. I have had an interest in Austin for many years and looked for possible principal openings in the Diocese of Austin in both 2009 and 2013. It seems that 2020 is our lucky year. We are so excited and thankful that God has guided us to our new home in Austin with all of you.
 
During the past year, Carolina and I began to feel that God might be calling us to somewhere new.  Though we were very happy at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the feeling of being called elsewhere grew and intensified. So, Carolina and I did what we have always done, we placed it in God’s hands and prayerfully considered the opportunities to which He led us.  As always, God has answered our prayers and guided us to St. Theresa Catholic School. 

I am sure there is a great deal of curiosity about, who is the new principal? To begin, the 2019-20 school year was my 7 ^th year as Principal in the Diocese of St. Augustine and my 27 ^th in education overall. In my career, I have served 15 years as a Catholic School Principal, 4 years as high school Dean of Students, 3 years as a PK-12 Academic Coordinator, 8 years as a full-time classroom teacher, and another 5 years teaching part-time. While in the classroom, I joyously taught Art, Religion, and Social Studies. In moving to Texas I am coming home so to speak, as I was born in El Paso; but only spent 11 months there as nearly all of my childhood was lived in Vermont where I grew up. I received my high school diploma from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans. 
 
Shortly after graduating with an Associate in Arts from Paul Smith’s College, my very first experience in education was as a Special Education Aide. I was 23 at the time and quickly realized my passion for working with children. God had shown my vocation. That year inspired me to go back to school and obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from the University of South Alabama. After years of on-the-job training as a principal, I earned my Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton in 2018.
 
God has blessed me with a wonderful family. My wife, Carolina and I met and married in Quito, Ecuador, where I lived for 15 years. We are a devout Catholic family and actively practice our faith. We have 6 beautiful children: Nicole (a college sophomore), Mary (8 ^th grade), Christopher (6 ^th grade), Matthew (5 ^th grade), Thomas (1 ^st grade) and Joseph (Kindergarten). My wife is Colombian, we speak a lot of Spanish “en la casa,” and our children are being raised in a Colombian American home. In addition to Florida, we lived in California for four years. An added bonus of our move to Texas is that my youngest sister, her husband, and their three boys live in Houston.
 
We are all so excited to get to know the St. Theresa community and I am eager to begin as your new Principal this summer. Two critical things I promise to you always: open, positive communication and genuine commitment. If we can all excel in these two areas, then we will find solutions to any future challenges and build the very best Catholic school for our children together.  
 
In Christ,
Brian R. Wheeler