Pinecrest Academy Names New Head of School

CUMMING, Ga. - July 5, 2018 - PRLog -- Pinecrest Academy has named Dr. Edward Spurka as Head of School for the private PreK3-12 Catholic School in Cumming.  Dr. Spurka assumes the responsibilities of Head of School on July 12, 2018. He replaces Dr. Edward Lindekugel, who has served as Headmaster since 2016, and has served in various other leadership roles at Pinecrest Academy since 2008, including Academic Dean of the Middle School, Vice Principal, High School Principal, and Upper School Principal.

Dr. Lindekugel tendered his resignation in June to pursue other opportunities in educational leadership but will serve for a period of time as Consultant to Head of School to assist Dr. Spurka in transitioning into his new role.

Dr. Spurka was chosen from a national pool of impressive candidates through the school's search process. This unanimous appointment was the result of the collaborative work from the Pinecrest Academy Board of Directors and the school's management team. Dr. Spurka brings with him experience, enthusiasm, and dynamic leadership, with a proven track record in delivering excellence in academics, to lead Pinecrest Academy into a new season of growth.

As the founding principal of Cambridge High School in Fulton County, Dr. Spurka quickly established this new campus as one of the strongest schools in the State of Georgia. He began his career in education in Pennsylvania in 1992. He earned two degrees from West Chester University, including one in Special Education.

Dr. Spurka moved to Georgia in 1995 to begin work at South Forsyth High School, and later he taught at Milton High School, where he was promoted into school administration. He then served as an administrator in progressively larger roles in Gwinnett and Fulton Counties, while also earning his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Georgia.

Dr. Spurka is a four-time recipient of the Governor's High Performance Principal award, and he was twice named as the Outstanding Principal of the Year by the Georgia PTA.

In selecting Dr. Spurka as new Head of School, Pinecrest Academy's Board of Directors, President and leadership team were impressed by his desire to advance the school's Catholic education mission and were impressed by his goals and collaborative mindset for the future. Having grown up in the Catholic Church, he values the spiritual development and focus on the whole child that Pinecrest Academy is able to offer as an independent school.

"Pinecrest's mission of forming Christian leaders who will transform society resonates deeply in Dr. Spurka. All of our staff, teachers, and administrators have felt a call to serve here, and working at Pinecrest is a true form of vocation," commented Father David Steffy, LC, President of Pinecrest Academy.  "Dr. Spurka has also felt that call and is excited to bring his talents of a life-giving leader to Pinecrest. We are pleased to welcome him to our School community and entrust him with the mandate of all of our leaders - to model and bring the spirit of 'Semper Altius,' our motto of always striving higher, to all facets of the Pinecrest education philosophy of integral formation," he continued.

"I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity to support Pinecrest's mission and the school's educational method of Integral Formation, developing the human, intellectual, spiritual, and apostolic dimensions of each student at Pinecrest," said Dr. Spurka. "My family and I look forward to joining and serving this wonderful community."

For more information about Pinecrest Academy, visit http://www.pinecrestacademy.org.