SALISBURY — Sacred Heart Catholic School has chosen a new principal to lead the school. Tyler Kulp has been hired as the new principal. Kulp formerly served as the school’s dean of students for middle school and middle school math teacher.

“Sacred Heart has educated students in Rowan County for over 135 years. We take education very seriously and the principal position is key to a healthy learning environment for our faculty and students,” Father John Eckert said.

A search committee, comprised of representatives from the parish, diocese, diocesan schools, faculty and parents received applications from across the country, conducted interviews and unanimously decided that Kulp was the best candidate for Sacred Heart. Kulp assumed the principal position immediately with his first day being May 9.

“Mr. Kulp has held many leadership positions since his hire in 2015 as our middle school dean of students and middle school math teacher. Kulp also served as our athletic director and learning support coordinator. He even coached our varsity girls’ basketball team to a conference championship this year with a 14-0 conference record. I am very excited about the energy and leadership that Mr. Kulp brings to SHCS,” Lisa Clark, chairperson of the Sacred Heart School Board, said.

Kulp, a popular teacher and coach among students, is originally from Ephrata, Pa. and was recruited by Catawba College to play men’s soccer. While at Catawba, he was named an all-star center midfielder and a member of their All Conference team. In 2006, he graduated from Catawba College with his bachelor’s degree in education with a specialization in mathematics. In 2015, he graduated from Western Carolina University with his master’s degree in school administration with honors distinction. He became a licensed N.C. principal the same year.

“I loved my time at Catawba College – loved Salisbury and this community — and didn’t want to leave upon graduation,” Kulp said. “So, I took a middle school math position at Corriher-Lipe Middle School. I spent nine years at CLMS teaching and coaching and really enjoyed it.”

In addition, he worked closely with administration and EC program specialists while at Corriher-Lipe, serving on numerous committees such as the school improvement team, human relations council and the data and testing team.

“I had a tremendous learning experience at CLMS from academics to administration to athletics. As a former college athlete, they made sure that I coached many team sports – basketball, tennis, soccer and track and field,” Kulp said.

Kulp is moving forward fast as the new principal. He hired a new middle school math teacher, Curt Morgan, a Rowan-Salisbury School Teacher of the Year for 2015-16. He has also hired a new athletic director, former college and pro basketball standout, Bradford Spencer.

“Sacred Heart is a fantastic school. It is such an honor for me to be named their new principal. I am ready to lead this school into a new chapter,” Kulp said.

Kulp brings to Sacred Heart great experience with curriculum standards, technology in the classroom and 21st century lesson planning. He is excited about the school’s future and new S.T.R.E.A.M. curriculum and integrated classroom learning environments.

“S.T.R.E.A.M. is like S.T.E.M. but with religion and agriculture or arts added,” Kulp said. “We have a thriving master gardening and conservationist program, and a strong relationship with the LandTrust of Central North Carolina. Outdoor learning makes inside learning fun. They complement each other extremely well.”

But he won’t forget the basics.

“We are a Catholic school,” he said. “Our purpose is to educate the mind, the body, but most importantly, the spirit. One hundred and thirty-five years of history and excellence in education is important and it shows all over Salisbury. It’s amazing! We have educated many students that now have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren enrolled at SHCS. Keeping up with new trends in education is crucial, but ignoring 135 years of success is foolish. My goal is to continue to lead SHCS in raising students that upon graduating from SHCS, know the teachings of Jesus Christ and are prepared to live and serve in a changing society as a self-respecting and responsible citizen.”