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Principal steps down
The day after a memo was sent to parents of a Beaumont Catholic high school reminding them of local health department regulations for confirmed and close-contact COVID cases, the author – Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School Principal Dr. Teresa “Terri” Shaffer – resigned her duties as head of the campus.
March 30, 2020, Kelly welcomed Shaffer as the campus’ new principal. A little over a year later, amid the start of a new school year marred by COVID infection amuck in the student body, Shaffer has resigned, according to an announcement by Bishop David Toups.
When Shaffer first arrived at Kelly, the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont touted the educator’s 20-plus year of experience in both Catholic and public education, from first grade through the college level. Most recently, she had served as the Director of Student Services for the Hemphill Independent School District.
Dr. Shaffer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans, a master’s from the University of St. Thomas, and she received her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Texas A&M University.
Then Bishop Curtis Guillory said in announcing Shaffer’s appointment that, “In reviewing her many accomplishments during our search, I have discovered that her leadership is by inspiration and impact.”
Shaffer allegedly met with Bishop Toups within two hours of the Aug. 19 announcement of her immediate resignation.
“I invite all of you to pray for Dr. Terri and wish her well in any future endeavors,” Toups wrote to the church’s “Brothers and Sisters in Christ,” citing “personal reasons” for Shaffer’s hasty departure. “The school’s operations and education instruction will continue functioning as normal.”
In the letter to parents sent the day before Shaffer’s resignation, she bemoans “the number of confirmed cases and students self-reporting close contact increasing daily.”
“I was hoping for a much smoother start of school this year,” Shaffer wrote, “but unfortunately, COVID has made this year anything but routine.”