To the St. Mark Community:
About 7 years ago, I was blessed with the best job of my career, Principal of St. Mark Catholic School. I remember the day I got the call offering me this opportunity. I loved my current school and was comfortable there but thankfully, the Holy Spirit pushed me forward, and my life and the lives of my family changed forever. The responsibility of educating other people’s children is already huge and a great honor that I have never taken for granted, but add their spiritual formation into the mix, and well, I felt overwhelmed and unworthy, so I turned it all over to prayer for the guidance to do HIS will. Seven years later, as I reflect back over this wonderful journey, I pray GOD is pleased with what He sees, as everything that has been done was to honor Him.
My favorite bible verse is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under Heaven. My time has come to change my season. It is time for me to retire. Recently, my husband had a small health scare and was strongly advised by his doctor to retire. Obviously, this caused us to talk seriously about our future. We decided, as a couple, it was time to start the next chapter of our lives while we were still physically able to enjoy it. I love this school, the students, families, and staff, and will always consider being the Principal of St. Mark Catholic School the greatest honor of my career.
On Friday, December 18, as I walk out of my office for the last time, no doubt I will go out the same way I came in, full of apprehension and excitement; apprehension about how much I will miss everyone, but excitement about starting this new adventure with my husband. However, there will be one major difference this time. My heart will be full of wonderful St. Mark memories that I will always treasure.
The decision to retire was much harder than the decision to accept this job. It required complete faith that I am following the plan God has for me and for St. Mark. I could never leave if I did not truly believe this, so following His will, I am proud to announce your new Principal, someone we all know and love, Pam Steinkirchner. I have absolute confidence she will be a dynamic and effective leader, ready to continue guiding St. Mark students to college and Heaven. Her passion for this school is unmatched!
I will continue to pray for St. Mark every day and promise to be back for visits.
May God Bless You All,
Patricia Opon
Dear St. Mark Community,
I am very humbled and honored to accept the position of Principal of St. Mark Catholic School and am so thankful to continue serving our Parish in this new capacity. I have been a member of St. Mark for over 25 years and love this community because it is filled with faith, family, and friends.
For those who may not know me well, I was born in Cambridge, MA and grew up in Tulsa, OK where I attended Catholic school. I graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing. My career began in corporate America, and then I chose to stay home with my children until they entered preschool at St. Mark where I volunteered and became a substitute teacher. I earned my Texas Educator Certification EC-4 and taught 3rd grade at St. Mark from 2002-15, and then transitioned to the role of Assistant Principal while earning my M.A. degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University. I am the proud mother of two sons who attended St. Mark from Preschool through 8th grade. Some of their favorite memories of St. Mark are their community service, Sacraments, many school traditions, and their longtime friends.
Along with cooking, traveling, and visiting with friends and family, one of my true passions is service to others. I volunteer with and support The Salvation Army, the St. Mark Funeral Ministry, Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), Gateway Homeless Shelter, and St. Vincent de Paul.
My philosophy as an educator mirrors that of St. Mark Catholic School for the past 38 years -- that every child can succeed and develop strong self-esteem with close cooperation among the student, the family, and the school. I believe that learning how to be a life-long learner and the development of social-emotional skills is the key to a successful and satisfying life. To achieve this, students need in- depth experience with STEAM, project-based learning, and higher-level thinking, along with encouragement to always be curious. These are all areas where St. Mark excels, and I look forward to continuing along this path with each of our students.
As I transition into the role of Principal, I am pleased to announce St. Mark’s new Assistant Principal, Mr. Greg Michniak. Mr. Michniak received his M.A. degree in School Leadership from The University of Notre Dame, his M.A. degree in Teaching from Dallas Baptist University, and his B.F.A. degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He holds Texas Teacher’s Certifications for Generalist 4-8 and Theater EC-
12, is a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist, and a Certified Academic Language Therapist (ALTA). Mr. Michniak will transition out of his current 7th & 8th grade Literature teaching position in January..
I am also pleased to announce that Mrs. Pat Shotland will become our new 7th & 8th grade Literature teacher. Pat has taught throughout the Diocese of Dallas for many years, and has served as the Director of the Senior DECATS gifted/talented enrichment program. She is a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, earned both her B.S and M.S. degrees from The University of North Texas, and holds her Texas Teacher’s Certification.
Thank you again for this opportunity to serve our community and I wish you peace & prayers.
Pam Steinkirchner