News
St. Francis principal named
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MATT VUKICEVICH/Submitted photo
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Vukicevich starts in September
By Sandi Hansen
INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
When St. Francis Solano Catholic School reconvenes in September, a new principal will be at the helm, but not a newcomer to education.
Kenwood resident Matt Vukicevich, 51, has been appointed to serve the school, succeeding Dr. Lydia Treadwell Blecksmith who, after 12 years leading St. Francis, retires this month.
Vukicevich has spent the past 17 years at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, where he founded the college counseling program on campus. He subsequently served as head of the counseling department and was selected Newman's Teacher of the Year in 2005.
Vukicevich has also been the senior-class moderator and presided over various administrative, supervisory and public relations roles.
He taught at both San Francisco State University and Sonoma State University and coached college track and cross country teams. He has taught a variety of subjects including, honors English, environmental science, biology, pre-algebra and journalism, as well as coaching Little League, soccer and basketball.
What will it feel like to go from college and high school instructor to middle school? "That was a large factor in my decision," Vukicevich said. "I really enjoy that age, I like their energy and their wide-eyed approach to the world."
He said he feels that when you work with young people you tend to stay young yourself. "I keep finding younger people work with," he added.
The 2009 -2010 school year will be his 30th year in education. He and his wife, Eileen, have three children: Eric, a senior at Cal Poly; Daniel, a freshman at Colorado State; and Lauren, a sophomore at Ursuline High School. The family is active in St. Leo's Parish in the Valley.
In a recent news release, St. Francis Solano School, extended "profound gratitude to Dr. Blecksmith for her 12 years as principal. Happy Retirement!"
Asked what he's looking forward to in the fall, Vukicevich said he likes meeting new people in the community and he's anticipating working with a veteran staff who will be able to teach him a lot about their school. "In addition, I think this is going to give me an opportunity to take everything I've learned and done in education and put it to use," he said. "I'm looking forward to that challenge."
Kenwood resident Matt Vukicevich, 51, has been appointed to serve the school, succeeding Dr. Lydia Treadwell Blecksmith who, after 12 years leading St. Francis, retires this month.
Vukicevich has spent the past 17 years at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, where he founded the college counseling program on campus. He subsequently served as head of the counseling department and was selected Newman's Teacher of the Year in 2005.
Vukicevich has also been the senior-class moderator and presided over various administrative, supervisory and public relations roles.
He taught at both San Francisco State University and Sonoma State University and coached college track and cross country teams. He has taught a variety of subjects including, honors English, environmental science, biology, pre-algebra and journalism, as well as coaching Little League, soccer and basketball.
What will it feel like to go from college and high school instructor to middle school? "That was a large factor in my decision," Vukicevich said. "I really enjoy that age, I like their energy and their wide-eyed approach to the world."
He said he feels that when you work with young people you tend to stay young yourself. "I keep finding younger people work with," he added.
The 2009 -2010 school year will be his 30th year in education. He and his wife, Eileen, have three children: Eric, a senior at Cal Poly; Daniel, a freshman at Colorado State; and Lauren, a sophomore at Ursuline High School. The family is active in St. Leo's Parish in the Valley.
In a recent news release, St. Francis Solano School, extended "profound gratitude to Dr. Blecksmith for her 12 years as principal. Happy Retirement!"
Asked what he's looking forward to in the fall, Vukicevich said he likes meeting new people in the community and he's anticipating working with a veteran staff who will be able to teach him a lot about their school. "In addition, I think this is going to give me an opportunity to take everything I've learned and done in education and put it to use," he said. "I'm looking forward to that challenge."
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