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Maybe it was Memphis? What forces of nature or spirit might conspire to lead one from the gates of Graceland to the gates of Saint Ann Catholic School? Our principal Anna Rumfola was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but only lived there for about six weeks before relocating to Dallas, Texas. Frequent moving was the norm in Anna’s early life, thanks to her father’s job in the railroad industry.
After only a brief time in Dallas, the family returned to Memphis where Anna started school. It was there at Holy Rosary Catholic School that little Anna knew without a doubt she wanted to be a teacher.
“It was a no-brainer. I was always going into education. I wanted to teach.”
Anna considers Mobile, Alabama, the place she actually grew up, living there from around grade five through college, plus a year. But it was moving back to Memphis to accept her first teaching job at St. John Elementary School where God’s plan for Anna’s life would be revealed yet again.
“It was my second day teaching 5th grade, and the principal at the time came up to me and said basically ‘I think you’re going to be a principal one day,” Anna recalls. “I was like ‘You’re crazy! I’m barely hanging on here. I just graduated!’”
In hindsight, Anna’s principal saw something in her that day she had not yet seen in herself… the ability to lead. At that time, Anna’s mother was the director of Religious Education at two parishes in Memphis and always encouraged her daughter to stay in the Catholic education field.
“I had nothing against public education and was open to finding a job anywhere that felt like home when we came to Nashville. But being raised in Catholic schools, I see the benefits. When public schools were cutting programs and all the things that make school great, I got the benefit of having all that in my Catholic education. And I was very active.”
Anna believes a strong Catholic foundation plays an instrumental role in becoming a harmonious adult who is unafraid to branch out and strike new chords. Anna traveled to Italy, Paris, and completed a mission trip to Mexico while in high school.
“The extracurricular activities in a Catholic School allowed me to explore different cultures and backgrounds. I was able to see the world beyond my immediate surroundings and learn how we all impact each other. And playing sports and being involved in various clubs allowed me to learn how to work with others, step up and be a leader, and understand how decisions can affect a group.”
Anna feels grateful to have been raised by parents who were dedicated to their faith and education. (She has four much older siblings, so she was essentially raised as an only child.) Her parents were very settled in life by the time she was born so they were always readily present for concerts, plays, and sporting events.
“Having a supportive family and community really helped me not to be afraid to try new things. I always knew if I stumbled or fell, there would be a teacher, a friend, someone there to help me up and grow and it would be okay,” Anna says. “Even today, I gravitate towards friends who are faith filled. Not all of my friends are Catholic. But all my friends are faith filled and that’s very important to me to have that kind of support.”
Anna’s time in Memphis was invaluable. She taught 5th grade at St. John Elementary from 2008-2012. She then became Principal at Little Flower Catholic School from 2012-13 and moved back to St. John as principal from at 2013-15. Anna progressed to become Chief Academic Officer for the Memphis School System from 2015-2018.
She created curriculum, observed and hired teachers, and planned strategies to benefit the overall operations in the Catholic Education System. But she missed seeing students and working in a more hands-on approach with teachers. She is excited to be at Saint Ann School.
The Rumfola family, Anna; her husband, Bryan; daughter, Emma; son, Joseph; and their dog Nash, have found thier home and community at Saint Ann Parish.
In music, timing is everything. Just at the moment Anna’s husband was offered a position in graphic design here in Nashville, Anna learned of the opening for principal at Saint Ann through a mutual acquaintance.
So maybe it was Memphis guiding Anna along this magical journey leading into Catholic education from one music town to another. Or maybe it was those Southern summer nights?
Who can say?
But as far as Anna is concerned, Saint Ann School “sure feels right” just like lyrics say and she’s happy to be the one leading us into writing a new verse to the song.
- From the St. Ann 2018 Fall Newsletter