Lincoln Principal Retiring
April 18, 2020 at 2:00 a.m.
Lincoln Principal Retiring
By Staff Report-
She grew up in Mishawaka, according to a news release from Warsaw Community Schools.
“It was a time when most moms stayed home and dads picked a job they stayed with for years. Times have certainly changed, but change helps us to grow,” she said.
She attended Indiana University in South Bend while she worked at McDonald’s to pay her tuition. At McDonald’s, she quickly rose to management.
Snyder always knew she wanted to be an educator, saying, “I was inspired to teach by so many of my caring teachers. I dearly loved my teachers all through school. I stayed after school to staple up bulletin boards. I played ‘teacher’ grading papers for my own instructors. I entertained the ladies who sat under the hairdryers at my aunt's salon while I recited the pledge and sang my ABCs. Yes, I began preparing for my future many years ago!”
She went on to teach elementary and high school. Her degree allowed her the opportunity to teach regular and special education.
After a few years, Snyder advanced her own education and earned her master’s degree. She said, “I became a principal because I loved learning about teaching and how we can best help students to learn.”
Lincoln has been more than a job for her, according to the release. Speaking of what she values most, she said, “I have been fortunate to work alongside a terrific staff as principal at Lincoln Elementary from 2002-2020. Lincoln is a family to those who work, serve and attend. Our family does everything we can to make sure children know they are loved and cared for each and every day.”
These words were echoed by teachers who have known Cathy for decades and by teachers who are in their first years.
Scott Sterk said, “I have worked for Cathy Snyder for 16 years, and if there is one thing that stands out to me it is the fact that she made every decision based on what she felt was best for the students. She has such a compassionate heart. There have been countless times a student or struggling family would receive food or gift cards anonymously. Even though several people knew these had come from Cathy, she would never take any credit. In every interaction Cathy has ever had, whether it be a student, staff member, parent or other stakeholders, she always treated people kindly and with great respect.”
David Wayne said, “Cathy Snyder is a level 5 leader straight out of Jim Collins's book ‘Good to Great.’ She is an ordinary person who produced extraordinary results as the principal of Lincoln Elementary School. Although humble and modest, it was Cathy's ferocious resolve and relentless determination to do what was best for students that helped her turn a then leaderless, floundering school into one of the highest performing schools in our area. Cathy empowered her teachers to work creatively and collaboratively in order to meet student needs while staunchly holding them to a high standard of educational delivery within the framework of love and student achievement.”
More sentiments, well wishes, and notes of appreciation from the staff of Lincoln were collected and shared on the district website and with Snyder. Her Lincoln family is planning a reception to honor her at a later date.
Snyder said she plans “to enjoy the simple things in life. Read the Bible, read books, go on ‘talk walks’ and bike rides with my hubby, spend time with our 13 grandchildren and our children.”
She grew up in Mishawaka, according to a news release from Warsaw Community Schools.
“It was a time when most moms stayed home and dads picked a job they stayed with for years. Times have certainly changed, but change helps us to grow,” she said.
She attended Indiana University in South Bend while she worked at McDonald’s to pay her tuition. At McDonald’s, she quickly rose to management.
Snyder always knew she wanted to be an educator, saying, “I was inspired to teach by so many of my caring teachers. I dearly loved my teachers all through school. I stayed after school to staple up bulletin boards. I played ‘teacher’ grading papers for my own instructors. I entertained the ladies who sat under the hairdryers at my aunt's salon while I recited the pledge and sang my ABCs. Yes, I began preparing for my future many years ago!”
She went on to teach elementary and high school. Her degree allowed her the opportunity to teach regular and special education.
After a few years, Snyder advanced her own education and earned her master’s degree. She said, “I became a principal because I loved learning about teaching and how we can best help students to learn.”
Lincoln has been more than a job for her, according to the release. Speaking of what she values most, she said, “I have been fortunate to work alongside a terrific staff as principal at Lincoln Elementary from 2002-2020. Lincoln is a family to those who work, serve and attend. Our family does everything we can to make sure children know they are loved and cared for each and every day.”
These words were echoed by teachers who have known Cathy for decades and by teachers who are in their first years.
Scott Sterk said, “I have worked for Cathy Snyder for 16 years, and if there is one thing that stands out to me it is the fact that she made every decision based on what she felt was best for the students. She has such a compassionate heart. There have been countless times a student or struggling family would receive food or gift cards anonymously. Even though several people knew these had come from Cathy, she would never take any credit. In every interaction Cathy has ever had, whether it be a student, staff member, parent or other stakeholders, she always treated people kindly and with great respect.”
David Wayne said, “Cathy Snyder is a level 5 leader straight out of Jim Collins's book ‘Good to Great.’ She is an ordinary person who produced extraordinary results as the principal of Lincoln Elementary School. Although humble and modest, it was Cathy's ferocious resolve and relentless determination to do what was best for students that helped her turn a then leaderless, floundering school into one of the highest performing schools in our area. Cathy empowered her teachers to work creatively and collaboratively in order to meet student needs while staunchly holding them to a high standard of educational delivery within the framework of love and student achievement.”
More sentiments, well wishes, and notes of appreciation from the staff of Lincoln were collected and shared on the district website and with Snyder. Her Lincoln family is planning a reception to honor her at a later date.
Snyder said she plans “to enjoy the simple things in life. Read the Bible, read books, go on ‘talk walks’ and bike rides with my hubby, spend time with our 13 grandchildren and our children.”
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