July 28, 2017 // Schools

Family ties and opportunities bring new principal to New Haven

Bonnie Elberson

Freelance Writer

Zachary Coyle

Zachary Coyle, newly appointed principal at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in New Haven, noted that family ties are what first directed him toward the Fort Wayne area. “It’s a great time in my life and my family’s, as we take on this new opportunity and relocate here from Baltimore, Maryland, where I grew up and was recently serving as a school principal in the Baltimore archdiocese. We love Fort Wayne and are truly blessed to live here now, where almost all of our extended family lives,” he said.

Coyle brings solid credentials to his new position at St. John the Baptist. He attended Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia, earned his master’s in secondary education at Towson University in Maryland and his master’s in educational leadership from Loyola University in Baltimore. He was a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and a full-time teacher at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He later taught at Maryvale Preparatory School, a Catholic girls’ school founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. His first administrative role was at Sacred Heart Glyndon, his family’s home parish in the Baltimore area, where he says he was proud to serve as principal for three years.

“Direct teaching offers tremendous joy and I loved leading my own classes. I do miss that work,” he confided. “However, over time, I discerned God calling me to school leadership, to try to help grow the faith and achievement of an entire school, and I find great joy in that calling.”

Core attributes that Coyle brings to the principal’s position include a strong faith, which leads him to prayer and turning to God in all things. He believes skill in strategic planning will help him involve the entire community to collaboratively decide the future of the school, and that skillful communication and organization will strengthen the educational process. Finally, he believes accountability in carrying out St. John the Baptist School’s mission of helping each student become a lifelong learner, live a Christ-centered, Catholic way of life and achieve academic success is a core function of his administrative role and that of leaders in general.

“Our mission is powerful and joyful!” he added.