GREENVILLE – St. Joseph Catholic School is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Wies of Cleveland, Miss., as principal of the K3-12 school, effective July 1.

“Steve Wies is a great family man and a good Catholic, faithful to both his family and his church community,” said Father Bill Henry, pastor of St. Joseph Parish. “I am impressed with his love for education and his leadership abilities. He will be a principal that will lead by example, and will be someone our students can emulate in faith and in their academic pursuits.”

This decision caps a months-long search process that began when Paul Artman announced his intention to retire after 12 years as both teacher and principal of St. Joseph School, and Michelle Gardiner announced her retirement as Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) principal after nine years at the helm and 12 years at OLOL.

The St. Joseph School advisory council thanked Principals Artman and Gardiner for their many years of Service to St. Joseph Catholic Schools. Members remain most grateful for their leadership and contributions.

“Both Paul and Michelle have been a blessing and an asset to Catholic education for many years,” said Catherine Cook, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Jackson. “I am grateful for their willingness to share their gifts with us and I am thrilled to welcome Steve Wies to the Catholic school family in the diocese,” added Cook.

A product of Catholic schools in Missouri, Wies comes to St. Joseph from Cleveland High School. Since 2010, Wies has served as Cleveland’s athletic director and math teacher, as well as baseball and soccer coach.

He has an exemplary track record at Cleveland High School, managing the day-to-day operations of 21 high school and eight junior high programs, handling the budgeting, scheduling, maintenance, inventory, security and overall needs of the school’s athletic programs.

Wies says his philosophy of education includes five pillars. “Set high expectations for all involved in the educational process. Establish clear policies and procedures with rewards and consequences. Be transparent. Be fair and consistent. Seek out the good in people, show appreciation and acknowledge their achievements.”

“I know youngsters are very impressionable, so I intend to impress upon them a Catholic foundation that will carry them into a productive adulthood life,” he says.

Wies earned his associate’s degree at St. Louis Community College, his bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Delta State University, and his master’s degree in educational administration from Delta State University. He earned his Mississippi Class AA Administrator’s License in 2005. He is an active member of Cleveland Our Lady of Victories Parish.

Wies and his wife, Selena, have been married for 27 years and are the parents of two daughters, Anna (23) and Emily (20).