After serving as principal of Bishop Ireton High School in
Alexandria since 2008, Tim Hamer will retire at the end of
the current school year.
Hamer, a 1978 Ireton graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree
from DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa., and a master’s
in educational administration from the University of Virginia
in Charlottesville.
Hamer has served in a variety of positions at Ireton
including director of advancement and finance, assistant
principal, interim principal and the first lay principal
since the departure of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.
In a letter to the Ireton community, Hamer said that working
at Ireton was among the greatest blessings of his life.
“Thanks to the dedication of diocesan leaders, a fantastic
board of governors, incredibly committed parents, a faculty
and staff second to none, and to the support of thousands of
alumni, friends and benefactors, Bishop Ireton High School
shines as a beacon of Catholic school excellence rooted in
the unique spirituality of its patron St. Francis de Sales,”
Hamer wrote.
Under his leadership, the school produced the first
long-range strategic plan. Hamer authored the “Live Jesus
Charter,” which roots the school’s Catholic identity in the
spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, and introduced many
academic and administrative improvements.
In a letter to Ireton parents, Sister Bernadette McManigal,
diocesan superintendent of schools, thanked Hamer for his
years of service and his dedication to Ireton.
“We will miss Tim’s leadership but are thankful for his
contributions to the school. Bishop Paul S. Loverde joins me
in thanking Tim and in wishing him well for the future,”
wrote Sister Bernadette.
Mary Kelly, Ireton director of communications, said that
Hamer would continue to work until the end of the school
year, but he told Sister Bernadette that he would stay on
until Dec. 31 if needed.
In his letter, Hamer said he will continue to work for
Catholic schools, serving as a member of the team at the
Institute for School and Parish Development, from Metairie,
La., “assisting Catholic schools and parishes across the
nation in meeting the challenges that have led to the closure
of so many over the last few years.”
Hamer said that he loves Ireton, but that he has some health
issues that need to be resolved. He is at peace with his
decision.
“It’s bittersweet,” he said. “But now is the right time to
leave.”
