Danny Kieffer has been a Catholic school principal for 10 years, eight of those have been at his current school, Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic School in St. Anthony. A lifelong product of Catholic education himself, he credits his teachers and coaches for cultivating his own vocation in Catholic school leadership.
“I was a kid who would go through periods of being lost and getting into trouble, but the relationships I had with my teachers and coaches through grade school and high school kept me on track. I was blessed with wonderful parents, but there were times when I wouldn’t listen to them. These teachers and coaches carried me through those times; they reached me when I was the most difficult to reach and brought me back to choosing a life of faith. I was drawn to education because of them. They helped to form my character along with my parents. It is really an honor to be a part of making that difference for someone else.”
“I was a teacher, athletic director, and coach at Saint Mark’s for nearly a decade and I loved it. I had zero interest in becoming a principal, so when a mentor of mine hinted that I should think about getting into leadership, I laughed. But the seed was planted, and I started seeing the impact a principal has on the students, teachers and the entire school community. Eventually, I made the move to leadership, and I’ve been very blessed. It’s true what they say that God doesn’t choose the qualified; He qualifies the chosen.
I’m not someone who is gifted academically or loved school as a child. There’s nothing really special or unique about me that allows me to do the job well. I think the key to having success as a principal is an undying commitment to the mission and an unwillingness to give up.”
Mission minded
Reflecting on the difference between being a teacher and being a leader, Kieffer explains, “You’re moving from spending 90% of your time with kids to spending 90% of your time with adults — teachers, parents, alumni, benefactors — but particularly teachers. I have to take care of my teachers, so they can take care of the kids. My job is finding out how to put them in the best position to do their job because they are the ones in direct contact with the students. The teachers’ impact is palpable, the principal’s impact is more hidden. So a principal needs to find joy and fulfillment in playing a different role and participating in a different way. Sometimes we are behind the scenes, sometimes we are center stage. A principal gives up seeing growth on a daily basis in the classroom and replaces it with seeing a student grow throughout his or her 10 years with us.”
Kieffer admits that the work can be a grind, but his conviction in the mission and his community keeps his spirits high.
“I think being mission-focused as a leader keeps me grounded, keeps gas in the tank, keeps me inspired. Carrying out the mission of the Church and bringing students and teachers closer to Jesus Christ every day is a cause worth giving my life to.”
Offering insight
“And to anyone thinking about becoming a Catholic school leader I would recommend you first earn your stripes as a teacher. Even though they’re very different positions, being a teacher yourself is the best way to understand the teachers you’ll be leading. Then, if that desire to lead is still present, ask yourself, ‘What is the purpose of my life? What is God asking me to dedicate my life to? Would being a Catholic school leader help me live out my calling?’ And if your answer is a confident ‘Yes’, then don’t overthink it: Find a mentor, learn the skills you need to be successful, and jump at opportunities for more leadership when they come your way, no matter how small.”