New School Principal - Mr. Chris Smith

Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan is thrilled to announce Chris Smith as its new principal.  Mr. Smith comes to Saint John’s with a wealth of experience and love of Catholic education.  Prior to joining Saint John’s he was the principal at Faithful Shepherd Catholic School in Eagan, the Principal at Holy Spirit Catholic School in Rochester, and Assistant Principal at Saint Mary’s School in Owatonna.  Mr. Smith Graduated from the University of Saint Thomas with a degree in History and Secondary Social Studies Education, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and most recently in 2016 a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame.  Mr. Smith’s stated mission is “seeking to be an enthusiastic servant leader in a Christ-centered environment that challenges its members to know, love, and serve God to advance the common good.”  

In reflecting on his responsibility as a Catholic school leader, Mr. Smith has this to say: “It is my responsibility as a Catholic school leader to create an environment where students, families, and staff can grow to deeply know God by intensifying their knowledge about and relationship with God. Catholic schools provide the opportunity for students, families, and staff to explore scripture and learn the Tradition and teachings of the faith in a way that allows them to use what they have learned to make decisions about major life events as well as everyday living situations.  Catholic schools have the opportunity to show that they are willing to lead the Church through this time of change and growth. It is my mission as a Catholic school leader to assist students, families, and staff to recognize and develop their gifts to deeply know, humbly serve, and passionately love God and their neighbor so that the love of Christ may be known throughout the world.”

Mr. Smith and his wife Lynn have three children (Grace, Emma, Joey), two of whom are college graduates and one who is a senior in high school.