Students at St. Patrick's School in Elkhorn run up to greet Principal Don Ridder during recess. He has been the principal at St. Pat's since the school reopened in August 2000 with 80 students in preschool through third grade. The school now has over 600 students in preschool through eighth grade.

St. Patrick's Principal Ridder named Omaha Archdiocese Metro Administrator of the Year

by Mary Lou Rodgers

The honor is meant for the principal of St. Patrick's School in Elkhorn, but Don Ridder credits his staff and the support of the parish for any success the school has had under his leadership in the past eight years.

The Archdiocese of Omaha recently announced that Don Ridder has been selected as the 2008 Omaha Archdiocese Metro Administrator of the Year. Based on nominations sent to the archdiocese, a governing board made a selection based on the impact of one person on an entire community.

Judy Tamisiea, the executive director of stewardship planning and development for the Omaha Archdiocese, said the purpose of the award is to highlight the excellent work of education in the archdiocese. Awards are given to metro and rural administrators and several teachers each year.

"The awards recognize the extra dedication and professionalism of those who educate in an atmosphere of love and respect," Tamisiea said.

Nominees must have served in Catholic education at least three continuous years and show a strong commitment to Catholic education. The Archdiocese Board of Education looks at their professionalism, lifelong learning and mentoring.

"It is important that they are held in high regard by parents, students and staff," she added.

That was apparent from the comments of several staff members who wrote about why Principal Ridder deserves the honor.

"Throughout 14 years of teaching, I've never been as encouraged to challenge students or as inspired to make a positive impact on the community as a whole as I have been at St. Patrick's," Sonja Dreher wrote. "Mr. Ridder is a great leader because he takes the time to really get to know each child, parent, and staff member, he possesses a definite sense of vision, and he leads by example in a way that is passionate and genuine."

Mary Jane Smith said she has worked for 10 principals in her 30 years of teaching, but considers Mr. Ridder the most outstanding leader.

"He establishes a welcoming environment for everyone entering our school. Mr. Ridder sets high standards and expectations for everyone in the building and guides us in reaching them," Smith commented.

Don Ridder came to St. Patrick's Catholic School in Elkhorn in the dual role of principal and capital campaign manager to help re-open the school. Starting with just preschool through third grade, there were five staff members and 80 students that first year, in August 2000. The school now serves children in preschool through eighth grade with a staff of 65.

Through several renovations and major building additions - one still in progress - the school will soon be able to accommodate 910 students.

Ridder brought years of education and experience to his job at St. Pat's. He has an associate's degree from UNL, a bachelor's degree from Wayne State College, a master's degree in educational administration from UNO, and a specialist in educational administration from UNL.

Ridder started teaching in Valley, where he also coached the football team and the track team, and assisted with the basketball program. From there, he went on to Benedict, and then to Crete, where he served as assistant principal for four years and principal for two years.

Don and his wife, Brenda, wanted a Catholic education for their three children, however, so they moved to Omaha, where Don became principal of Mary Our Queen School for three years before accepting the position at St. Pat's. Brenda teaches fifth grade in the Millard School District. The Ridders' daughter, Kristina, attends UNO; their son, Jacob, is at Northwest Missouri State; and their daughter, Bridget, is a student at Marian High School. Don's brother, Tom, is principal at Mount Michael Benedictine High School in Elkhorn.

Ridder was the second youngest of 12 children, with four sisters and seven brothers in a Catholic family growing up on a farm west of West Point. "This is where I learned the importance of hard work, my faith and the importance of family," he said. "Obviously, my mother (Henrietta) was always pretty busy just being a mom, but when I was very young, she spent a lot of her time in the hospital fighting a variety of illnesses. I credit my sisters for raising myself and my youngest brother, David."

His sisters worked their way through high school and the money they made was used to help pay for the boys' tuition. "My brothers and I spent most of our time fighting with each other, participating in sports and working on the family farm while my dad (Frank, Jr.) had to work in a meat packing plant so he could pay the bills. Going to mass, praying, working hard, education and family were all very important to Mom and Dad and now they are important to all of us."

Don and his wife, Brenda, and share the same values. "With her being such an outstanding teacher she has helped me understand the needs of teachers and students," he said. Ridder's extended family includes hundreds of students who greet him with hugs as they arrive in the morning or when they see him on the playground

"Mr. Ridder has made it his mission to make St Patrick's the best it can be," teacher Stacie Matz commented. "We are so fortunate to have someone in charge that is extremely passionate about maintaining the highest level of excellence in teaching. ºHe truly loves and cares about this school, the building, staff members, and especially the students." Principal Ridder will receive the Metro Administrator of the Year Award from Monsignor James Gilg and the Board of Education at the archbishop's education awards dinner on September 25. The rural administrator award and six teachers awards will also be presented at that time. Besides the recognition, each honoree will receive $5,000.

"Mr. Ridder is always telling the students and staff how proud he is of all of us. ºNow it's our turn to tell him how proud we are of him and all he has accomplished for our school," teacher Patti Hasty stated.º"We are the best because Mr. Ridder is the best."

Ridder insists that the award is not about him, but about the parishioners who support the school, the parents who entrust the staff with their children, about the staff members who provide excellent teaching and services, and about the volunteers who help on a daily basis. He noted that Father Ron Wasikowski, the pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, has backed all their efforts, while allowing them to lead in providing a quality, Christ centered education.

This summer, the newest wing of the school will be completed. It includes a media center, meeting room, science lab, computer lab, art room, faculty workroom, guidance counselors' office, foreign language office, storage area and a dozen spacious classrooms on the two-floor addition.