Principal Spotlight: Janet Peddecord

Janet Peddecord never planned on being an administrator, but when she moved from Wisconsin to Florida in 2005, everything changed.Peddecord has been in education for 46 years. She got her start in the classroom, driven by her passion for teaching and her love for her students. But one day, the priest at a school she was teaching at asked her to become a principal; it was something that she had never considered. At that same time, she went to school for her masters at Edgewood Catholic College in Madison, WI and was inspired by the chill of a snowy day to apply for a job in Florida — and returned from spring break to a call from the superintendent.“I gave it a lot of thought, and [at first] said I didn’t want to do it, but I went back to school and did it. And I just love working with the children and my teachers,” said Peddecord.Having attended Catholic school herself, Peddecord understands the value of an academic environment rooted in faith and family. Her favorite memory stems from experiencing this herself when she was in third grade. Her “brother was in the service, and he was up in Alaska all the time. [My teacher] prayed for my brother every single day, and it made me feel so good,” said Peddecord. Now, she brings those same values to St. Anthony Catholic School. Her “favorite thing about St. Anthony’s is that our motto is ‘More than a school, we’re a family,’ and our students truly believe that,” said Peddecord. “And as a family, my teachers know every child, and we’re able to meet them where they’re at and build them up from there. I think that makes us pretty special.”One of her fondest memories is a time where she was able to do just that. There was a struggling student who attended her school from 4 years-old to 8th grade, and every year was a challenge. They tutored him and encouraged him tirelessly, and he never gave up. He ended up attending Santa Fe, and when the first semester’s report cards came out, his mother emailed Peddecord to share that he was on the B Honor Roll. Peddecord and her team were incredibly proud.“I think the most important thing that we can give our students is work ethic. I believe that whatever level you’re at academically, if you do the work and work hard, you’re going to succeed. And what we want for our students is for them to be happy, successful adults,” said Peddecord.When she’s not at work, Peddecord enjoys taking time to read, especially when the weather is nice and she can sit outside reading fiction books; mysteries are her favorite. She likes to put together puzzles, and she loves to bake.Peddecord dreams of St. Anthony’s growth and its increased ability to reach those in the community. “In 2005 we had 133 students, and this year we have 240. So we’re close to being full!” said Peddecord. “In 5 years I just want to continue to grow, have a waiting list, and serve our students in this area.”At our Lakeland private schools, we foster an atmosphere of care and an environment of high expectations and effective discipline. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us at 407-246-4800.