T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY - Julie Graber, who most recently served as the PK-12 principal in the Glidden-Ralston school district, takes over as the new PK-6 principal at St. Francis Catholic School in Marshalltown on July 1.

An education veteran who has spent most of her career working in public schools and has previous experience with the Central Rivers AEA is taking on a new opportunity as the incoming PK-6 principal at St. Francis Catholic School in Marshalltown.

Julie Graber, who comes to St. Francis from the Glidden-Ralston school district after serving as PK-12 principal there, is replacing Terry Eisenbarth. During a recent interview, she told the T-R she was intrigued by the position here because it covered a smaller range of grades and could give her more of a focus. She had also worked in Marshalltown in the past through her AEA consultant job and said she was “very fond” of the community and everything it has to offer.

“People have been just really gracious and very welcoming, so that’s been awesome,” she said. “(I’m) just trying to meet people and make connections and learn a little bit more about the school… I think it’ll be exciting to be able to use my faith and my Catholic beliefs and share that with the staff and the children (and to) not only help them academically and emotionally but also spiritually.”

Graber, a native of Larchwood who now resides in Ames, started her journey as an educator in Algona, where she taught business and computers and then served as director of technology, and later moved into a similar role in nearby Humboldt as she was starting her family. From there, she served two of Iowa’s AEAs with a focus on technology innovation and STEM, and while she expects switching over to an administrative role at a parochial school to come with some nuances, she certainly feels that she’s up to the task.

“I’m getting to understand that there are probably more similarities than there are differences in terms of what is required of a public school vs. a parochial school, so I welcome that. And I have great support,” she said, shouting out Father Alan Dietzenbach and Archdiocese Associate Director of Education Mindy Hart. “I just ask a lot of questions, and pretty soon I’ll be part of a network of administrators that I can ask questions (of).”

Although Graber wasn’t aware of a major surge in enrollment at the PK-6 school since Iowa’s new Education Savings Account (ESA) law took effect, she said it has held steady at around 275 students, and there is a waiting list in three different grades — a good problem to have, as she put it. As she feels that she’s walking into a positive, steady situation at St. Francis, her main goals in the role are to build her network and connect with the Marshalltown Community School District’s leadership — because St. Francis only offers classes up to sixth grade, many of its graduates will end up attending Miller Middle School and Marshalltown High School.

“I look at how we can support kids instead of competing, because obviously there is that level of competition,” she said. “I’ve heard, through my interviews and talking to teachers, I think they’re looking for that instructional leader part of the principal, you know, helping guide them with instruction and taking them to that next level. But I’m excited about meeting the families and learning (about them) and the staff and seeing where my strengths can help support them and take them to that next level.”

Graber, who describes herself as a constant learner, isn’t aware of any major challenges right off the bat, but she’ll handle them as they arise with a strong network of support around her. If she doesn’t have the right answer available to her immediately, she won’t be afraid to ask the right people.

As a means of introducing herself to St. Francis families, students and staff, she plans to hold some listening sessions and “Popsicles with the Principal” nights to casually connect with them while also identifying key priorities and concerns. Graber and her husband, who works for the USDA in Ames, have three adult children, all of whom are graduates of Iowa State University and employed in the business world.

St. Francis is located at 310 Columbus St. in Marshalltown and can be reached at (641) 753-7977.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.