By John Rohlf
The Message assistant editor
Two diocesan schools are set to welcome new principals for the upcoming school year.
The Diocese of Evansville Catholic Schools Office recently announced the hire of David Memmer as principal of St. James School in Haubstadt. Memmer spent the last 16 years at Holy Spirit School. He replaces Eric Chamberlain.
Memmer said after spending the last 16 years at Holy Spirit School in Evansville, it seemed as if it was time to make a change.
“I had great memories, great thoughts and memories, enjoyed my time,” Memmer said. “But I felt God calling me to a new mission. And I saw the St. James principal position and knowing what a rich Catholic culture, family, community and multigenerational families, it very much attracted me to St. James.”
Stephaine Sharber, who went to St. Matthew School in Mount Vernon growing up, will fill the principal vacancy at Holy Spirit School in Evansville. She has spent the previous seven years as a school counselor. Prior to working in school counseling, she spent 14 years teaching art at the middle and high school level.
Diocese of Evansville Superintendent of Schools Michelle Priar said they are pleased Sharber has joined the diocese as their newest principal. While Sharber is new to the principal role, she is not new to Catholic education, Priar said.
“As an active parishioner and Catholic school parent at St. Matthew in Mount Vernon, she understands the importance of infusing faith and education,” Priar said. “She has sound leadership skills, a strong faith life and a true desire to make a difference for students and their families. I’m thrilled to have her join our strong team of administrators throughout the diocese.”
Sharber said in her time as a school counselor, she had a lot of great mentors that encouraged her, stating she would be great at serving in the principal role. She felt God speaking through people for her to go into more of a leadership role.
Sharber said her mother, a retired teacher from Evansville’s Reitz Memorial High School, has been coming to Holy Spirit this past year to substitute teach. When the job opened up, she recommended Sharber apply for the principal role, Sharber said.
“When she found out the job was opening up, she’s like Stephaine, you’re going to love this place. You need to apply. Go apply. And if it’s meant to be, it’ll all work out. God will lead you. And that’s kind of how I got here. I just felt like God had a plan. So I’m really excited to join the Holy Spirit family, the Annunciation Parish family.”
Sharber said she plans to meet the rest of the teachers and staff members in July to introduce herself and get to know them. She is a firm believer in learning everyone’s name, along with making others feel comfortable and valued, she said.
“I definitely want to jump right in,” Sharber said. “I’m a firm believer in learning everybody’s name and making everybody feel comfortable and valued. There’s quite a few students, so it might take awhile. But I’m excited to get out there and be in the community.”
Sharber added she believes every child and every family deserves to have a place to send their child where they get the best education possible.
“I hope that all the students here and families at Holy Spirit feel that way,” she said.
Memmer believes his 20 years of experience as a principal at Catholic schools in the Diocese of Evansville will help with his transition to his new role at St. James. He said it will be important to listen to the students, parents and teachers.
Memmer stressed he believes Catholic schools need to be “first and foremost Catholic.”
Father Andrew Thomas, pastor of St. James Parish and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, both in Haubstadt, said he is very excited to welcome Memmer to St. James.
“Mr. Memmer’s experience and love for Christ will help us grow and live out God’s mission in our parish and school,” Father Thomas said.