Diocese Hires New Schools Superintendent

Dr. Pattie Davis has spent a lifetime in the classroom, teaching at every level in Catholic education from elementary through high school, along with serving in various administrative roles, including superintendent positions in two dioceses.

But spend a few minutes with her and immediately one recognizes that it’s her faith, her commitment to the Lord and to the church she so loves that is her true life’s mission. 

“My faith has meant everything to me; it has brought me through many challenging times,” Davis said. “If I did not have my faith I don’t think I would have been able to do what I did with my career and my family.”

She brings that faith into her role as educator, adamant in her conviction that the purpose of a Catholic school is evangelization. While acknowledging the opportunities available to enhance the academics and various programs at schools Davis said faith remains the priority.

“We play an invaluable role in evangelization,” she said. “It’s important to lead our students to Christ. That’s the most important work we can do for the church.

“Being a teacher has been the greatest evangelization tool in my life.”

Davis, an Arkansas native whose diverse background includes superintendent roles in the dioceses of San Antonio, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico as well as volunteering at a refugee camp in Africa while working on her doctorate, was tapped to be the next superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, replacing Dr. Melanie Palmisano, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

“(Davis) brings with her a considerable wealth of experience from which our schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge will benefit,” said Bishop Michael G. Duca in announcing Davis’ hiring March 27. “Her leadership will help us create a new era of Catholic education in southeastern Louisiana.”

Davis is a lifelong Catholic, raised in the small town of England, Arkansas, with a population of about 3,000, located approximately 30 miles from Little Rock. 

She attended the University of Arkansas and later earned her undergrad and master’s degrees from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She received her doctorate from the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, which was her initial exposure to Catholic education since her hometown had no Catholic schools.

During the COVID-19 pandemic she was able to take advantage of a shift in policy at the University of Notre Dame, which allowed virtual learning, and earned a Master of Nonprofit administration.

“Thank you COVID,” the personable mother of four daughters said with a chuckle.

Davis has served as president and CEO of the Mt. St. Mary Academy and foundation in Little Rock for the past four years, which at the time provided her the ability to move closer to home and assist her siblings in the caring of their ailing mother in her final years.

Davis’ desire, however, has been a return to a superintendent’s chair, recognizing her greatest strength lies in her ability to guide a school system.

“I love professional development, encouraging principals and teachers alike to bring out the best in them,” she said. “I love school models, love to explore things that are innovative and that we can apply to a Catholic school without losing the integrity of the school.”

She believes her role is to assure the daily life of a school is staying true to the Catholic mission. Davis is a staunch proponent of hiring people in leadership roles that have strong Catholic values and teachings that they will be able to bring to the school.

Those leaders, she said, will in turn hire quality individuals as teachers who will introduce Catholic values to the classroom and into the heart of every student.

She acknowledged part of her role is helping administrators and teachers develop a personal relationship with Christ. She said she is eager to bring new opportunities to each of them to strengthen their faith lives and is committed to supporting them in what Davis calls “the great work of the church.”

“It is a constant thing that we do is making sure our Catholic faith formation not only extends to our students but our teachers,” she said. 

Davis’ incoming message to parents is to first thank them for entrusting their students to her and for their partnerships in helping children become more Christ like in their lives.

“I think (parents) are going to be proud when they watch the formation of their children over the years,” Davis said. “I think that we can prepare them and give them the community these families seek so much these days that they will not find in another school.”

She is also committed to giving the students a strong faith foundation and creating a welcoming environment for every student, even if they are not Catholic. 

“I want to emphasize the diversity of our Catholic faith,” she said. “Diversity comes in a lot of forms (including special needs children), and we want to address those as much as we can.”

Vicar General Father Jamin David was impressed with Davis’ passion for Catholic education, especially for students with disabilities; her global experiences as an educator, principal and administrator; and her commitment to core Catholic values, calling her “the ideal candidate for the position.”

Davis is in the process of purchasing a house in Baton Rouge after only a one-day search and expects to move in late May. She’s familiar with the area, having visited on several occasions, and is eager to sample the cuisine of the area.

Already she is overwhelmed with the outpouring of support shown to her in a short period of time.

“I’ve never had such a welcome,” she gushed. “Everybody has been very welcoming.”