BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
HANOVER TOWNSHIP -- When Kathy Daulton leaves Queen of Peace School July 1 for her new job as an assistant superintendent for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati schools, it will be the first time in her career she won't be in a building with students.
"I've been with children for 33 years. Not being around them will be different," said Mrs. Daulton, Queen of Peace's principal since 1986. "This is a wonderful opportunity. It felt like it was time to move on."
In her new position, Mrs. Daulton will serve as a consultant to a group of elementary schools and also will have an area of specialty. While at Queen of Peace, she began an inclusion program that allows children with various disabilities to attend standard classes. It was that program -- plus her leadership skills and Catholic education background that won Mrs. Daulton the 1996 Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Only one principal from each of the NCEA's 12 districts in the country are so honored.
Under Mrs. Daulton's direction, Queen of Peace began preschool and kindergarten programs. Enrollment grew from 152 in 1986 to nearly 300 today. A $1 million handicap accessible school was built seven years ago.
"Kathy has done a lot in 12 years," said the Rev. Kenneth J. Schoettmer, pastor at Queen of Peace Church. "It's a good opportunity for her. It's a good placement for her where she'll get more recognition on a bigger arena. It's our loss."
Just last week, Queen of Peace learned it has received full accreditation from the Ohio Catholic Schools Accreditation Association. It involved a year-long self-study and creation of a five-year improvement plan plus review by an outside group.
Mrs. Daulton downplays her role, instead giving credit to her staff, her students, their parents, the Rev. Schoettmer and members of the parish for the school's accomplishments.
"No one person does everything," she said. "In the 12 years I've been here, I've received much more from the children, staff, my pastor and parishioners, than I've given. It's been a humbling experience."
Before coming to Queen of Peace, Mrs. Daulton, a White Oak resident, taught at St. Lawrence School in Price Hill.
