Gwen Byrd plans to retire at end of school year after serving in Archdiocese of Mobile

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
MOBILE — Archdiocese of Mobile Executive Director for Catholic Education/Superintendent Gwen Byrd will retire at the end of the school year, but her impact on Catholic education in Alabama will be everlasting. 
Byrd has served the Archdiocese of Mobile for 46 years, including nearly the last 40 years as superintendent. She announced her decision in an email Oct. 28, saying “I feel it is time to pass the torch to someone else.”
Byrd, 79, served in Natchez, Miss., St. Louis and Chicago before she returned to her native Mobile in 1977. She took over as superintendent in 1983. 
“I feel blessed to have been able to serve the Church for this many years,” she wrote.
There are more than 4,800 students at three high schools, one middle school, 13 elementary schools and two daycares within the Archdiocese of Mobile. 
A search for Byrd’s successor has begun.
Below is an interview with Byrd, edited for length and clarity.
 
Q: Did you have any dreams that you’d be superintendent for about 40 years?
A: Never in my life. I never, ever dreamed that. But I loved what I did and I loved working with people. I loved my job and God put me here. 

Q: How tough of a decision was this?A: I’m ready to do something else. I think it’s time for new leadership, I really do. It’s just time. There’s just some of me that feels it’s time to do things different. And I think it’s good for the system.

Q: What are you going to do next?
A: I want to spend more time with family. I also want to travel too.

Q: What are you most proud of during your time as superintendent?
A: One of the things that’s special to me is I’ve gotten to know who my leaders really are. I think I could say I never really had one of my leaders who I didn’t get along with. Watching my people come in new and seeing how they blossom and getting to know them has been wonderful. I’m a people person. I think that’s one of my gifts. God has just made me that way.
We also just opened a new school in Auburn (St. Michael). It’s been such a wonderful experience and knowing it’s going to grow in a whole new era, I’m very excited about that.
I’m also very happy with opening a new high school in Baldwin County (St. Michael Catholic High School). It was my dream from the time I came. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. I’m very proud of it and I’m really proud of how McGill-Toolen has continued their life the way they’re living it. Yes, they don’t have as many students now, but they didn’t have as many when I came. And Montgomery Catholic - I’m so proud of how they’ve grown and how they are.

Q: What is the biggest change you’ve seen in Catholic education?
A: Technology has certainly changed a lot in education. Looking back on my younger days, you also didn’t hardly have to advertise. Today, advertisement is a huge thing for everybody. We’ve got to get our good news out all the time. When I first took over, it was in the bulletin in the church and that was it. Now, there are so many things that have to be done in helping see the good product we offer. There’s so much more competition too.

Q: Have the last two years been the most challenging due to COVID-19? 
A: Absolutely. That was a very hard time and knowing how hard it was for our teachers, it was very tough. But I’m proud our schools went through it and came out OK. We came out very well. The Catholic school system as a whole didn’t go down. We stayed in school. I’m very proud of our whole Catholic school system, especially our own. When I look at our test scores, I’m so proud.

Q: What can you say about the challenges your successor will face?
A: Catholic education costs more and more. The finance aspect is a hard part for so many as life has just changed so much.

Q: Any final thoughts?
A: I truly loved it. Yes, it’s challenging but I learned so much from the people who challenged me. I’ve learned so much from watching dedicated people.