“I think often of Mother Teresa’s statement that we are called, not to be successful, but to be faithful,” reflects Dr. Todd Flanders, headmaster of Providence Academy in Plymouth, which serves preschool to 12th grade. Fortunately for the families of Providence Academy, he has been both.
Over the last 24 years, Flanders has shepherded Providence Academy through multiple building projects, ambitious capital campaigns and impressive enrollment, all while keeping the school’s Catholic mission and culture front and center.
While God might have been preparing Flanders for this work, Flanders had not.
“I always had an interest in education, but at the university level,” he shares. “I earned my doctorate in theology at Boston College, co-founded a residential college program at Truman State, and was happily working in educational outreach for the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty when we got a call from the founding board member of the institution I work for today. He was looking for a founding headmaster and wanted to use Acton’s network to find the right person. It was thrown to me because of my interest in education. We spoke and I gave him some good names, but they returned to me saying, ‘Would you want to talk by chance?’ And I told them the truth, that I don’t have formal experience in K–12 education. They said that wouldn’t be an inhibitor for a conversation.”
Flanders was hired soon after as the founding headmaster of the not-yet-existing Providence Academy.
“I professed to the founding board: ‘I will learn everything I can about K–12 education as fast as I can, and we’re going to need to hire some people who really know it.’”
This humble yet determined approach laid the foundation for his success at Providence Academy.
Real work, real vocation
Flanders’ transition was not without its challenges. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and recognizing one’s limitations.
“You’ve got to freely acknowledge what you do know and what you don’t know, and you’ve got to be willing to make mistakes and learn from them,” he says.
Flanders’ first substantial hire was Kevin Ferdinandt, a seasoned school head whose expertise complemented his vision and enthusiasm. This strategic decision highlights Flanders’ ability to build strong teams and foster a collaborative environment.
Reflecting on his career shift, Flanders notes, “Catholic school teaching is not for people who want a sinecure so that they can pursue their own intellectual interests. It’s real work. It’s a real vocation. It demands real service and real sacrifice.”
He believes that the role of a Catholic educator is to “form and educate a rising generation of Catholic adults for all kinds of service: to family, to Church, and to world.” For Flanders, the heart of Catholic education lies in the relationship between teacher and student.
“We must love our students and invite them to think with us about what we propose to them in various subjects,” he asserts.
Flanders’ eyes light up as he talks about his students.
“There’s something marvelous about young people. The little kids, the middle school kids, the high school kids: God is watching over each one. God knows what He is doing. God knows what He is about. What a gift that we are invited to participate in that education and care,” he shares.
‘An incredibly rewarding path’
Flanders believes that this divine invitation extends beyond those already in the field of education.
“I think God wants to give many others this gift, and I believe a good number of our future school leaders are not in Catholic schools at the moment.”
For those considering a career change into Catholic school leadership, Flanders offers the following advice: “Reflect upon the skills and expertise you’ve gained in your previous career: strategic planning, fundraising, project management, resource allocation, team building, effective communication, marketing. The list goes on and on. All these skills are directly transferable to leading a Catholic school. When you take the time to consider it, you’ll realize that making the switch to Catholic school leadership isn’t as big a leap as you might have thought. One thing I know for sure: It’s an incredibly rewarding path. You’ll discover a sense of purpose that’s truly unparalleled.”