March 12, 2014

By Father Thomas Higman
Education Council and Malone Catholic Parishes liaison, Parochial Vicar of Malone Catholic Parishes

Malone - Catholic education has been the fiber of Anne Marie Wiseman's life since fifth grade at Saint Joseph's Academy. After graduation from high school in 1964, she went on to study at Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg and then much later to Boston College for graduate work.

George and Anne Marie Wiseman returned to Malone in 1975 and after two years she began teaching at Bishop Smith Memorial School until it merged with Notre Dame School. She made her first appearance at the newly formed Holy Family School in 1989, teaching eighth grade.

After ten years, she was hired as the principal at Saint Mary's School in Potsdam, only to return as principal of Holy Family School in 2001.

Now, after nearly 40 years of Catholic education, Wiseman has announced her retirement at the conclusion of the current school year.

In a letter to school families, Wiseman said that she believes she is "luckiest principal in the world," citing the unwavering support of her faculty, local pastors and their congregations, and the tremendous families that make up Holy Family School as the means to her success. Wiseman has pledged her continued support for the future of Holy Family School.

Tracy Nelson, along with other members of the Holy Family School Education Council with guidelines from the Diocese of Ogdensburg will begin in the near future to search for the new principal of Holy Family School.

Wiseman is often heard saying, "I can't image where people who don't work with children find their joy" - and those that know her know she is always full of joy.

Her role as principal has always been "hands-on", as throughout her tenure at Holy Family School, she has continued to teach eighth-grade social studies, cover studies halls, and pound the pavement along with committees and teams working for the advancement of Holy Family School.

Throughout her years in education, Wiseman noted changes in educational methods, but more so changes in the families and students who attend Holy Family. Forty years ago, it could often be presumed that the faith being taught in the classroom was being reinforced at home and vice versa, but now Wiseman notes that the focus has changed.

The efforts of Catholic education have become more "missionary" in nature today, often bringing the faith to the fallen away.

"Evangelization is key" notes Wiseman, when it comes to the mission of a Catholic school.

This past Saturday, Pope Francis tweeted, "Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic schools. Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life."

For nearly 40 years, Anne Marie Wiseman has been in the business of love and life. Often referring to herself and other veteran members of the faculty as "relics," she has formed the minds and hearts of countless children largely by the example of her own life of faith, which has been uniquely strengthened in the halls of Holy Family School.