Florida Catholic | Doing It Right: Dunedin Principal Retires

Doing it right: Dunedin principal retires

FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF REPORT

Published: 06.06.08

Retiring Our Lady of Lourdes Principal Janice Metz, hugs one of the school’s students after she brought the principal flowers as part of a goodbye bouquet from students. “The kids adore her,” said early childhood teacher Mary Rehm. “She’s never looking for something the kids are doing wrong or (the teachers) are doing wrong. … She’s always looking for what we are doing right.”
JANET SHELTON | FC

DUNEDIN | It was probably when the mayor read a proclamation in her honor that the retirement of Janice Metz became truly real to many of those gathered for her May 17 retirement party.

Until that moment, the dinner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School could have been just another event in Metz’s 11 years as principal, just a few more good hours spent with parents, children and food.

Except this time, instead of leading the program or offering inspiring words, Metz was quiet. She looked slightly uncomfortable as she stood on the school’s stage with a corsage on her dress. About 6 feet away, Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth praised her work and declared May 17 as “Mrs. Janice Metz Day.”

“(She) has achieved special recognition as an educational leader of faith, wisdom and integrity,” Mayor Hackworth said. “(She) is highly estimated by educators, students, parents and community leaders for inspiring spiritual growth, academic excellence, commitment to diversity, inclusion in the classroom and the dignity of every person.”

The nearly dozen years Metz has been at Our Lady of Lourdes is just a fraction of the time she has given to education. Her schooling includes a master’s degree in reading education and administration from the University of South Florida, and her first job in teaching was at a Catholic school in south Florida.

Locally, Metz began teaching at St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School in 1976 and was made assistant principal of the school in 1983. In 1997, she became principal of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Her work in education didn’t stop in the schools. Metz has presented at three International Reading Association conferences and served as chairwoman of curriculum development for the St. Petersburg Diocese.

While Metz was principal, students at Our Lady of Lourdes took their share of academic honors. What most seemed to impress those around her, however, was her commitment to her work. Time and again, in a dinner video presentation, people talked about her compassion and dedication to her children, staff and faculty.

“The kids adore her,” said early childhood teacher Mary Rehm. “She’s never looking for something the kids are doing wrong or (the teachers) are doing wrong. … She’s always looking for what we are doing right.”

The evening included several presentations. A video delivered a steady stream of photos from the principal’s days at the school, and Metz was given a basket of flowers and a spiritual bouquet – promises of prayers, Masses and more – from the community. One gift from her students was a book, because all the kids know how much Metz loves books: Rehm said the principal enjoyed putting on her “Cat in the Hat” hat and reading to the children.

Compassion in sensitive situations and grace under pressure was a big part of Metz’s leadership style, Rehm said. When things looked bad, the principal came through with confidence and a clear head. When she had a problem with someone, she could address it while maintaining the person’s dignity, the teacher said.

“She always rises to the highest level,” Rehm said. “This is a person who can look into adversity and sail through it. … There have been some difficult times. … She just handled those situations so well.”

Metz said that her farewell dinner was wonderful, and that she couldn’t figure out for the longest time why the mayor was there, figuring he must have come to the wrong party. One of the nicest parts was seeing former students.

“I got just a kick out of having former students come back for it,” she said. “Some were in high school and beyond.”

Metz’ retirement will allow her to do some traveling and sleep in now and then. Don’t expect her to drop education altogether, however. She would like to use her skills as a reading specialist and volunteer in classrooms, especially those at Morning Star School, a diocesan school for students with special leaning needs.

She will miss seeing her families and the children on an everyday basis.

“It was wonderful working with the families all these years,” she said. “Every day is a brand new day when you work with children. I certainly will miss that.”

Metz will be succeeded as principal of Our Lady of Lourdes by Blake Rahman.

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Doing it right: Dunedin principal retires

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