Catholic Schools Week Supplement
‘Being a part of a child’s life is an honor’
During a vacation in Colorado in 2019, the archdiocese’s assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, Rob Rash, right, and his wife Patty, second from left, pose for a family picture with their son John and their daughter Katie. (Submitted photo)
By John Shaughnessy
In his 41 years as a Catholic educator, Rob Rash has dealt with questions and challenges from parents, teachers and principals. But the most challenging question he’s ever had to answer came from a small girl in the first grade.
The question came during recess as Rash was having a tough day during the time he was principal at St. Simon the Apostle School in Indianapolis.
The little girl looked up at him and asked, “Do you like your job?”
“On that particular day, I did not,” Rash recalls. “It had been a very demanding day, and she must have sensed my struggle. I replied to her, ‘Some days I do, and some days I don’t.’ That was the first time I articulated the demands of being a school leader. Fortunately, she followed with an additional question.”
The little girl asked, “What is it about your job you like?”
Rash immediately responded, “You!”
Rash has shared that story often in meetings with new principals since he became an assistant superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese in 2005. For Rash—who is retiring on Feb. 4 at the age of 65—that story captures many of the important qualities that he associates with Catholic education, especially the educators who provide it.
“Teachers and principals love children first and foremost,” he says. “Being a part of a child’s life is an honor and a privilege.
“I feel very fortunate to be a small part in a child’s life. They might not even remember those interactions when they were young. That is not the point. For a brief time in the lives of many, we get to contribute to the growth and development of future adults. Quite a responsibility.”
The memories and even some emotions have flowed for Rash as his retirement nears, including the story of the tough conversation that he had with a mother who wanted to pull her child out of the school where he was the principal.
‘Seek to understand’
“Her child was struggling with many issues outside of school,” Rash recalls. “She was upset with me and the teacher. During our many discussions, I had to state that I believed that our school was the best thing going on right now for her son, and he should not leave our school.”
The mother relented, her son continued through the Catholic grade school, and he graduated with honors from Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis.
“I was very pleased to hear that he later graduated from college and obtained a master’s degree,” Rash says. “Years later, his mom would say that her son went on to great things because I would not let him leave our school.
“Believing in what you do and believing in the potential in children is a very powerful thing.”
A valuable piece of advice from St. Francis of Assisi has also guided Rash during his 41 years in Catholic education: as a teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes School and Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ School, both in Indianapolis, as a principal at both St. Simon and Our Lady of Lourdes, and as an assistant superintendent.
“Whether doing recess duty or resolving conflicts between adults, you have to listen to the truth of each side,” he says. “I have always advised principals to ‘listen to the truth’ behind the conflict. St. Francis had the greatest wisdom here: ‘Seek to understand rather than to be understood.’ ”
As an assistant superintendent, Rash has worked closely with school administrators through the years, helping them navigate through issues that range from comical to challenging. He refers to school principals as “the pillars of Catholic education,” citing how they serve “our schools with great dedication.”
“It is the most difficult and rewarding job I can think of,” he says. “I wish all could see how hard principals work. How much they care about the school community. I often say that no one sees the miracles that occur in our schools each day.”
Focusing on what’s best for students
Rash is also known for his dedication— and humor—by his colleagues in the archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Schools.
“Rob makes us laugh every day. It is a joy to work with him,” says Brian Disney, who is in his first year as the archdiocese’s superintendent of Catholic schools.
“At the same time, Rob is very dedicated. The first time we were working on an issue, he came in the next morning and shared some wonderful insights. He started with, ‘I couldn’t sleep so I have been up since three in the morning thinking about this.’
“He has greatly aided my transition. Rob knows every principal, pastor and school. Whenever something comes across my desk, Rob helps me to understand the situation by sharing details about the people involved. He has a tremendous amount of institutional knowledge that will be sorely missed.”
Disney and assistant superintendent Michelle Radomsky both cited one more defining quality about Rash—the way he focuses on what is best for students.
“As an educator, Rob exhibits a genuine love for students,” Radomsky says. “He said he always enjoyed handling student discipline—not something most people like—because he was able to really talk to the child and try to learn about what motivated the action. That speaks right to what I like most about Rob as a person. He is reflective, caring and he wants what is best for each person he encounters. And when you speak to Rob, he always listens.”
Rash says he learned that approach to students during his first year of teaching in Catholic education—1981—at Our Lady of Lourdes School.
“What stands out was the overall commitment to the students and families by the staff and administration,” he recalls. “When dealing with the students, it was obvious that the faculty and staff cared about the whole child.”
A life-changing introduction, a memorable ride
His time at Lourdes also included another defining influence in his life. His teaching partner introduced him to the woman who is now his wife of 34 years, Patty. The couple has two, now-grown children, Katie and John.
A guitarist who plays in a band, Rash shared his love for music with his children and other students at Scecina during the years he volunteered with its afterschool Rock Band program.
“This program gives some kids an avenue to express themselves,” he says. “Watching kids learn songs, learn their instruments and then perform was a privilege. Seeing the potential and talent in these kids was a highlight for me. Sometimes we are just along for the ride.”
Rash views his ride as a Catholic educator for 41 years as a good and memorable one. In parting, he shares one piece of advice to his fellow parents.
“My advice to parents is that the partnership between school and home should be built on trust,” he says. “Parents can rest assured that the school administration, teachers and staff are all dedicated to the welfare of their child.”
The welfare of children will continue to be part of Rash’s life in retirement.
He and Patty will increase their volunteer efforts at Miracle Place, a neighborhood ministry on the near-eastside of Indianapolis that provides numerous services for low-income residents, with a special emphasis on children and senior citizens.
He also plans to serve in the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, a program in which trained volunteers serve as advocates for abused or neglected children as they go through the judicial or child welfare system.
“My hope is to help families in crisis,” he says. “Children need advocates. Being in education for 41 years, I believe that service to others is what we are all called to do.” †
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