BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE GO!

Dr. Erick Chittle joins Pope Prep as inaugural President

written by Lori Jones

All may seem quiet to the onlooker at Pope Prep in June, but in reality, the rush of getting ready for the next school year is well underway. This summer’s preparation is especially meaningful as Pope Prep welcomes Dr. Erick Chittle as the school’s inaugural President in July.

Although the faculty and staff have had an opportunity to visit with Dr. Chittle, the community is anxiously awaiting their chance. They wonder, “Who is Dr. Erick Chittle, and why is he choosing to serve Pope John Paul II Preparatory School?”

“It was by the prompting of the Holy Spirit discerned through hours of prayer by my wife Kimberly and me,” said Dr. Chittle when asked why Pope Prep.

“Ultimately, I was attracted for two main reasons: the school’s mission is clear and compelling, and the community of students, faculty, and staff have reciprocal love and respect,” he added.

Dr. Chittle plans to lean into Pope Prep’s mission to foster community and individual excellence.

“At Pope Prep, we focus on preparing strong and joyful students ready to live, learn, and serve according to the Gospel empowered by a personal relationship with Christ. Christ is the very foundation of the school and will guide every student to become whom he or she was made to be by God and who are ultimately transformed and made ready for their heavenly reward,” stated Chittle.

This formation of our youth happens with the assistance of three essential communities: the family, the Church, and the school.

“It is more important than ever that these three communities align and provide a cohesive foundation for our students,” stated Chittle. “As a Christcentered caring community, I am confident that with the partnership of parents, we will provide a bright future for our graduates. Students will mature in an atmosphere that presents strong values and clear goals that give meaning and purpose to life - meaning and purpose that the world cannot give,” added Chittle.

It is not a coincidence that Dr. Chittle’s inspiration for Catholic Education for over 20 years comes from Saint Pope John Paul II. One encouraging statement of our Patron Saint that Dr. Chittle continually refers to is, “Catholic Education is a question of communicating Christ, of helping to form Christ in the lives of others.”

“As we strategically plan for the future of Pope Prep, this will be the litmus test for all our decisionmaking,” stated Chittle. “Every decision that we make, every interaction that we have, if we put Christ above all, then we are attempting to work in concert with His will,” Dr. Chittle professed.

Dr. Chittle is looking forward to using the professional experience he has gained with 19 years in Traverse City, Michigan as an English teacher, dean of students, principal, and superintendent. He is grateful to God for a team that worked faithfully and tirelessly to transform St. Francis High School in every way, including raising the average ACT composite from 23 to 26, growing enrollment by over 30%, and increasing sacramental, devotional, and service opportunities significantly.

He plans to spend his first year at Pope Prep listening and becoming integrated into the community. As he learns about our community, he rests knowing God is the source of all good, knowing what we need before we ask, having the best solutions to our challenges, and the right path forward to flourishing.

“I have been gratified by the many staff that I have met. Their devotion and love for the school and the students is evident. This mutual love is not something a strategic plan can create; it is the work of the Holy Spirit. We must continue to surrender to the Holy Spirit individually and collectively to understand God’s plans for Pope Prep,” expressed Chittle.

When asked what the most significant asset he brings to Pope Prep, he answered, “My family. To be a husband and father and a president works well together as there is great alignment in what we want for our children and what our Catholic schools are built for, namely, helping our children to know, love, and serve Christ. What I do at home every day is what I will do at Pope Prep every day,” declared Chittle.

Erick and Kimberly Chittle will reside in Hendersonville with their family in June. They are blessed with nine children ages 21 to 5: Adam, Abby, Mary, Emma, Isabella, Gabriella, Julianna, Tobias, and Ignatius. The oldest three children will continue their education at Catholic universities. Pope Prep will welcome the middle three children, and the youngest three will attend St. Joseph School.