Change is coming to St. Apollinaris School this year, brought by a new principal who is a familiar face in Napa — Jack Kersting.

A veteran educator and school administrator who first called Napa home in 1987, Kersting replaces Patricia Granucci, who put in 17 years at St. Apollinaris before her recent retirement.

Originally from Kansas City, Mo., Kersting has had a hand in education for more than two decades. After arriving in Napa, he worked for eight years at Kolbe Academy, the small school then nestled among homes in the alphabet streets. At first he taught math and religion. After four years, he was tapped as Kolbe’s assistant principal, and he remained in that job for four more years

In 1995, Kersting moved on to Trinity Grammar and Prep, where he was the school’s founding headmaster for 13 years. At both schools, Kersting also served on the school board.

Earlier this year, Kolbe and Trinity merged. Continuing his career in education, Kersting is on to a new challenge.

“I’ve been in education ever since I got out of college in 1975,” he said, adding that teaching job skills and independent living techniques to mentally disabled adults in St. Louis helped to pique his interest in teaching.

Today, Kersting’s focus is on renewing St. Apollinaris’ accreditations with two educational agencies. Also in the works, he said, is introducing his students to what he calls “fluency training” — class time dedicated to helping the school’s 284 students address whichever of their skills need improvement.

“When a teacher is teaching a particular subject, there is pressure to get through the material quickly,” he said. “But a lot of the students really need to practice the basic skills.”

Kersting said fluency training will help his students build a solid scholastic foundation at a time when American students’ achievements generally lag behind those of their counterparts in other nations.

“What we’re finding in education across the country ... is that we’re way behind in math, for example, when compared to Japan and other industrialized countries throughout the world,” he said, stressing the need for students to master basic skills before they’re able to address more advanced curriculum.

In addition to helping students master the basics, Kersting also hopes to take advantage of more technology-based tools for students and teachers.

In a multi-pronged, five-year technology plan Kersting will launch, teachers will pull more supplemental teaching tools from Web-based resources and students would log more hours in front of a computer. Staff members would also ramp up the school’s Web site and make improvements to the computer lab and office databases, he said.

Although details of the technology plan have yet to be worked out, Kersting — a father of eight children — understands the importance of sticking to his guns.

“What I’ve found is if you don’t schedule it in, it won’t happen,” he said, adding that a masterful school staff and the children of St. Apollinaris are among the blessings he appreciates most about his work.

“Children are amazing human beings because they’re in this growth process that’s just amazing to behold,” he said. “You see education taking place in front of your eyes and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Bob Greene, athletic director and assistant for admissions at Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep, said Kersting is known for his ability to connect with both staff members and students. 

“He’s a caring leader. ... He was always a guy who asked how things were going. The best compliment that I could pay (him) in regard to the kids is he can relate to and talk with and understand kids of all age ranges and backgrounds. ... He does a really nice job of understanding and getting what it is like to be a student, from a (high- schooler) to a kindergartner on the first day of school,” he said.

St. Apollinaris’ Monsignor Joseph Alzugaray said although Kersting is new to the school, he already enjoys a strong rapport with the students there.

“My impression is the students really like him,” he said. “Jack is really very fair with the students. He’s out there with them at recess and during lunch hour playing basketball with the kids.”

Alzugaray, who met Kersting about eight years ago, added that he is also well-liked by staff members at the school.

“Jack is a strong leader. He is very collaborative with his faculty and he happens to also be a very bright person. ... He seems to have a good understanding of children ... and I just thought he was the perfect fit for St. A’s when (Patricia Granucci) retired,” he said.

Kersting, who has also spent the last 20 years singing in local church choirs, lives in Napa with his children and wife of 27 years, Jennifer.