After an extensive search and discussions with several candidates, the search committee comprised of parents from the School Board, President of Memphis Catholic Schools, Director of Human Resources for the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, and leaders from St. Mary Catholic Parish, including Father David Graham and Father Dennis Schenkel, unanimously agreed to offer this pivotal educational leadership role to Dr. Ann Keyl.

Father Schenkel said, “I am grateful to Father David and the St. Mary’s School Board for the thoughtful and deliberative work that has resulted in bringing Dr. Keyl to our school. I am excited to get started with her and all our families at St. Mary’s when I arrive in July. Jesus deserves our best, and I think we are starting well.”

“Dr. Keyl, as an alum of and former teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School, has deep roots at St. Mary’s,” said Father Graham. “With so much experience, deep passion, and vibrant faith, Dr. Keyl will help lead our school family into the next 150 years in serving the children of our community. St. Mary’s is a school that changes the lives of students for the better and Dr. Keyl has seen that firsthand for herself and for her three boys.”

Dr. Keyl brings more than 24 years of experience in education as well as nearly four years in the private healthcare industry. She is known for her commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and student-centered leadership. Dr. Keyl holds degrees from the University of Memphis in education with a master’s in counseling and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies.

At St. Mary’s School, Dr. Keyl was the Middle School Math Teacher from 2009-2013. At Sacred Heart of Jesus High School, she was the Assistant Principal and School Counselor from 2013-2015 and then President/Principal from 2015-2022. Since 2022, she has designed, implemented, and led recruitment for Dynamix Physical Therapy.

Dr. Keyl’s gifts and talents have garnered various awards over the years. Some of these are: Jackson 40 Outstanding Leaders under 40 in February 2015, Principal of the Year by TSSAA District 7 in 2019, Educator of the Year “Christ the Teacher” Diocese of Memphis Catholic Schools in 2019, and Jackson Chamber Leadership Jackson Graduate 2021.

“I am honored to join St. Mary’s School and look forward to partnering with staff, students, and families to build on the school’s tradition of excellence–it feels like coming home,” said Dr. Keyl, who herself and her three sons attended St. Mary’s School. “Together with Father Dennis and the staff, we will continue to create an environment where every student and family thrives in a joyful and loving environment.”