By Anne Marie Amacher
DAVENPORT — Although she has been certified to be a school administrator for years, Cheryl Lafferty didn’t have the full confidence to become an administrator until a friend told her about an opening at All Saints Catholic School in Davenport.
Lafferty, a member of Our Lady of the River Parish in LeClaire, is now serving as interim administrator at All Saints. She was looking to return to a career in a school system after working elsewhere in education.
She specialized in special education and crisis intervention at schools in the Davenport Community School District for 18 years. Prior to that she had obtained her certificate in education administration.
“While I was working for Davenport schools I didn’t pursue anything in the administrative line,” Lafferty said. She never stopped doing her “internship” of working with students in crisis or special education even though she had the training and expertise.
After she left Davenport schools, Lafferty worked for McGraw-Hill publishing for almost two years before the All Saints position came along. “McGraw-Hill helped fill in the gaps where I wasn’t as confident in being an administrator,” she said. She learned more about general education through her job there.
When Principal Tammy Conrad left to pursue another career in the Davenport school system, the intention was to leave the position open until summer. Superintendent Mary Wieser was going to fill in the administrative responsibilities, Lafferty said.
But then the All Saints Catholic School Board decided to hire an interim administrator.
“I just love it here,” Lafferty said one month after her Dec. 1 start date.
“The three pastors are very supportive and I feel we have a good working relationship.” She has met with parents and staff and says the school has an excellent board.
“I’ve rolled up my sleeves and dug in,” Lafferty said. One of her first challenges is tackling the issue of space — or lack of it.
She also is working on increasing communication at all levels.
“I’m getting to know the needs and listening to everyone. No one has given me a bad idea yet.”
Lafferty’s position remains interim until June 30.
