For many parochial schools across Arkansas, there is always one leader or administrator whose name is synonymous with the school. For Christ the King School in Little Rock, that name is Kathy House.
House began teaching at St. Patrick School in North Little Rock in 1980 before moving to Our Lady of Holy Souls School in Little Rock in 1983. Just three years later, House found herself teaching at Christ the King School in Little Rock when it opened in 1986. After teaching for five years, she assumed the role of assistant principal for three years. In 1994, House found herself in the principal’s seat, and the rest is history.
But House said it was a role she grew into.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was the rapid advancement of technology. When I first became principal, there were no computers — let alone cell phones for students or staff,” House said. “While technology has brought many wonderful innovations, it has also introduced new complexities.”
House has also grappled over the years with making sure the educators at Christ the King are only the best.
“Throughout my tenure, I have always believed that teachers are the heart of a successful school. Finding and hiring the best educators has been a constant challenge, especially with a shrinking pool of prospective teachers. Fortunately, at Christ the King, we have been blessed with exceptional educators,” House said.
New challenges came up over the years, but House was poised to tackle them.
“In recent years, navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and the implementation of the LEARNS Act has tested us in new ways. Yet, through it all, our commitment to our students and their education has remained steadfast,” she said.”
Throughout her teaching career, House held onto a piece of valuable teaching advice — one that she now gives to other Catholic educators.
“Msgr. (J. Gaston) Hebert was my first pastor. I was young and nervous about becoming principal. He told me the ship was already built, the course was set and all I had to do was steer the ship toward Jesus,” she said. “He said there would be rough waters at times, there might even be a mutiny, but, as long as I kept the ship pointed toward Jesus I was doing a great job.”
House, who will retire in June, said she’s looking forward to spending more time with her husband of 47 years, Buddy, along with two daughters and three grandchildren who live in Northwest Arkansas.
“I love being a principal of my parish school. I love Catholic education, and it has been my ministry all these years,” House said. “I am motivated to be able to pass on the Catholic faith to our children.”
