Thomas Braunscheidel Retires

THoMAS BRAuNScHeIDeL

by SUE SCHAFFSTALL

In 1993, Thomas Braunscheidel was working as a school counselor at Baker Hall when an opening came up at St. Francis in late August. Fr. Gregory Hartmayer, Principal called the young Braunscheidel about the position, and as they say, the rest is history. Twenty-eight years later, fifteen of them as Principal, Braunscheidel has decided that it is time to move on.

A lot has happened in the past 28 years. Here is just a little snapshot in case you forgot. In 1993, Bill Clinton was sworn in as the 42nd President of the United States. Intel Corporation ships the first Pentium chips. Microsoft releases Windows 3.11. Ariana Grande, Megan Trainor and Stefan Diggs were all born in 1993. In 1993 cell phones were big, had an antenna and were not smart. Only 22 percent of households had an internet connection. How can we forget Super Bowl XXVII: The Buffalo Bills become the first team to lose three consecutive Super Bowls as they are defeated by the Dallas Cowboys, 52–17?

I sat down with Braunscheidel to talk about his time at St. Francis, his decision to leave and his future. When asked what has changed the most at St. Francis High School over the past 28 years Braunscheidel responded, “Fewer Friars. More students from public schools.” The inputs to education have changed said Braunscheidel. “Back in 1993 it was the dawn of the internet. I remember Fr. Mark David showing me the internet for the first time.” “How content is delivered has been dramatically changed due to technology and how kids consume information has changed. It used to be a hunk of chalk and a good teacher and now it’s chromebooks.” Braunscheidel goes on to say that, the school has changed in other ways as well. “St. Francis has become more diverse and we value diversity and are committed to it. We are investing more in helping students get here, to be able to afford a St. Francis education and to reap all the benefits of that education.”

what has stayed the same?

“Fundamentally, the flavor and the charism remains the same,” said Braunscheidel. “Our identity as a Franciscan school that emphasizes the brotherhood and humility. That remains the same. The essential spirit and charism remains the same, which it should.”

what will you miss the most?

The people and the relationships. “I will miss the ability to help both students and faculty live out the mission of the school.

1993 - 28 yEars aT sT. FraNCis HiGH sCHool, 15 as PriNCiPal

Helping a young teacher grow or helping a young man navigate a difficult situation academically or personally, that’s what I’ll miss.” Braunscheidel goes on to say, “Anyone who gets into education, and is sincere about it, it is because of the impact you have on people; you’ve got to want to help.”

what will you missed the least?

“The grind that becomes the day in and day out of dealing with crisis and putting out fires. I won’t miss the worry and the responsibility of taking care of the myriad of details. I won’t miss the enormity of the responsibility. I’m looking forward to just being in charge of me!”

what have you learned throughout the pandemic?

“Like many crisis, the pandemic revealed things about the institution. What I’ve always believed about our faculty is that they are 100% on board to meet the needs of our students. Down to a person, our faculty and staff said, we want to take care of our kids, they want to be here, what can we do?”

“It reinforced to me the dedication of our faculty,” said Braunscheidel. “There were struggles, worries, anxieties and questions, but it was all done and presented in the name of how do we move the ball forward safely for our kids. This crisis (the pandemic) reminded me of what a tremendous group of people I work with and that the real focus is on the kids.”

why is it time to move on?

According to Braunscheidel, “I have contributed what I can contribute. I never aspired to be Principal,” he explains. “I wanted to help kids, I wanted to educate them. There were opportunities that arose where I thought I could help. I stepped up to take the opportunities to lead and because I thought I could benefit the school. It was an opportunity for me to grow as a professional and also help the school.” Braunscheidel said he wanted to make sure that he left on his own terms. “I did not want to be that guy who stayed too long. I contributed what I have, I know where I’m at, and I think it’s time for new leadership.”

what’s next?

“I’m going to take a gap year,” Braunscheidel jokes. “I’m going to take some time to clear my head, rest and evaluate what I want to do in the future. I’ve always had a desire and a pastime to do things with my hands, to make and create. I have some background in building and the trades. Possibly some business ventures with family members.” “My heart is with St. Francis in education and I will NEVER do this job anyplace else. I would never leave here and go to another school, because this is the way I think schools should be run and our spirit needs to be in terms of serving students and their families.”

what is your legacy?

“I hope that I was of service to people, I hope I was of service to the students, because to me legacies are not about buildings and programs, they are about how you helped others.” Braunscheidel recalls a quote from Saint Francis. “When Saint Francis died he said, ‘I have done what is mine to do, I hope God will help you to find what is yours to do.’ I hope our faculty stays focused on the mission of the school and is open to the change that coming and will guide them into the future.”