Baillargeon named new Headmaster at St. Bernard

The Board of St. Bernard Preparatory School is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Daniel R. Baillargeon as the Upper School Headmaster of St. Bernard Preparatory School.  St. Bernard Prep President, Fr. Joel Martin, O.S.B., explains that Baillargeon will be replacing John Tekulve who recently announced his retirement at the end of the 2013-14 academic year.

Baillargeon is a dedicated and devoted Catholic school leader with more than 10 years  experience in school leadership, the last 8 years serving as principal of St. Louis School in Alexandria, Virginia.   He has fifteen years of teaching experience in elementary, junior high, and high school classrooms. 

Baillargeon responsibilities in education and leadership have given him expertise  in enrollment management, effective marketing, professional development, and advancing the development needs of schools.   

Fr. Joel said, “We are delighted to welcome to St. Bernard and the Cullman area Mr. Baillargeon, his wife, Megan, and their six children, ages two months to ten years.  They will bring much to our school and larger community.”

A Connecticut native, Baillargeon is a Doctoral Candidate in Catholic Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the Catholic University of America.  In 2001 he earned a B.A. in Music at the University of Connecticut and in 2006 completed his M. ED in School Administration at Sul Ross/Rio Grande College in Alpine, TX.  He currently serves as Treasurer for the Diocese of Arlington Principal’s Association, and has successfully led schools through accreditation efforts in both Alexandria, VA and Eagle Pass, TX.   In the classroom Baillargeon has taught mathematics, Latin and theology; and he serves as instructor/speaker for various purposes, including formation of teachers, and youth and adult retreats.

Abbot Cletus Meagher, Chairman of the St. Bernard Prep Board of Directors, stated, “Bringing to St. Bernard a wealth of knowledge in educational, religious, organizational and fiscal leadership, Dan Baillargeon is eminently qualified to support the intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs of our students.”

Fr. Joel said the new headmaster has some big shoes to fill:  “In 2007 John Tekulve lead St. Bernard in the re-introduction of a middle school program at the school, and since January of 2012 has served as Headmaster of the high school.  His work ethic and unique, positive leadership have been invaluable to St. Bernard; we are a better place because of him.”

 "We look forward to having the Baillargeon family in Cullman to continue the St. Bernard tradition of providing a superior education of the whole person: body, mind and spirit,” continued, Fr. Joel.

The St. Bernard community will have the opportunity to meet the new headmaster at a reception to be held at St. Bernard on Thursday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Brahma Room of the St. Bernard Dining Hall.