Page 8 - Yggdrasil 2022

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Carrollton Head Master 2015-2022
"His deep rooted understanding o f and passion for Sacred Heart education and the Goals and Criteria have positively shaped our school, and his efforts will continue to be felt as we carry on our mission," said Raphael M.
an, chair o f the board o f trustees.
Olen Kalkus became Carrollton's first lay headmaster at the beginning o f the 2015-2016 school year. During
his 7 year tenure, the school's endowment fund quadrupled to more than $ I I million, he advanced Carrollton's information technology capabilities and enhanced classrooms as well as athletic fields and facilities. "Our academics have been enriched by his vision as well. He increased course variety in the Upper School, expanded French into the Primary School, and consolidated and expanded the Robotics, Engineering and Computer Science program," said Mrs. Bastian.
Mr. Kalkus also led the school through the transition to remote learning in March 2 0 2 0 at the beginning o f the pandemic, and continued to update and implement guidelines for the safety o f the entire community.
But what the community will probably remember best are his 2 words, or themes for the year. If we reflect on
what was going on at the time, it is easy to understand their particular relevance and how Mr. Kalkus meant them to inspire the community. The 2015 - 2016 school year was Enthusiasm & Joy; 2016 - 2017 was Kindness &■ Gratitude; 2017 - 2018 was Courage & Humility; 2018 - 2019 was Silence & Wonder (Awe); 2019 - 2020 was Stewardship & Hope; 2 0 2 0 - 2021 was Compassion & Dignity; and the 2021 - 2 0 2 2 school year is Love & Selflessness. While serving as Head Master, Mr. Kalkus, given his love o f teaching, also taught AP Psychology and IB Psychology SL.
"In my 46 years as an educator, I have been a head of school for just 26 years, and a dean or division head for an additional 11," Kalkus said in an email. "It is time to get back to my roots as a teacher." Kalkus said he has two grandchildren and an 89-year-old mother living in the Czech Republic.
Mr. Kalkus s love o f Carrollton was demonstrated through the way he served the Carrollton community over these past seven years. I had the pleasure o f knowing him as headmaster, sports fan (for every student game he attended), and educator. We are sad to see him leave, but excited for him, knowing that great things are ahead. We thank him wholeheartedly for all his dedication to Carrollton," wrote Kailyn Althage '22.
I will miss Olen Kalkus. We spent many hours in his office talking about psychology, sociology, spirituality, literature and philosophy - pretty much anything but work! But as Thomas Aquinas said. Never trust a man who has read only one book." The best teachers are the ones who are curious about more than the specific subjects they teach. Olen would just as soon talk about Augustine, Melville or Nietzsche as Weber, Berger or Freud. I pray that the fires o f curiosity and joy that burn so hot in him never cool. I will miss our chats and even our disputes. Most of all, I will miss my friend," wrote Rev. Robert M. Vallee, School Chaplain.