FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 19, 2026
St. Joseph’s Catholic School Welcomes Brian Kelsch as New Principal
MACON, GA — St. Joseph’s Catholic School today announced the appointment of Brian Kelsch to the role of Principal, effective July 1, 2026.
Mr. Kelsch succeeds Russell Sills, who has led the school as Interim Principal for two years. As Principal, Mr. Kelsch will report to the Pastor, serve as a visible spiritual leader for the school, and strengthen the 2K–12th Grade continuum with Mount de Sales Academy, Macon’s Catholic middle and high school.
Mr. Kelsch brings to St. Joseph’s both a deep formation in Catholic education and extensive experience in leadership roles. He is currently completing the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame—a competitive and rigorous Catholic school leadership program with spiritual formation at its heart. Housed within Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education, the Remick Leadership Program equips a select cohort of aspiring principals with the skills and expertise required to lead Catholic schools at the highest level. Mr. Kelsch will earn a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame prior to assuming his role at St. Joseph’s.
He currently serves as a Theology teacher and Assistant Campus Minister at Bishop England High School in Charleston, South Carolina and holds a degree in Philosophy and Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Mr. Kelsch’s path to school leadership has been shaped by a wide-ranging formation. He has served alongside the Missionaries of Charity in India, lived with the Servants of Christ Jesus in Denver, Colorado, made a 30-day silent retreat, and spent time in seminary discerning the priesthood. As a Youth Minister, he traveled from across the country teaching young people how to pray. As he continued his discernment, he felt called by the Lord out of religious life and into married life and brought that spiritual formation into the classroom. He later served as an Operations Director for a high-performing Chick-fil-A location, where he led staff development, strategic operations, and record-setting sales growth, demonstrating the organizational leadership that complements his ministry background.
“Joining the community at St. Joseph’s is like standing on the shoulders of giants,” said Mr. Kelsch. “I’m excited to partner with the families of Macon, the community at St. Joseph’s, and the staff at the school to continue the good work being done here.”
His vision for the school’s role in the broader community reflects the same spirit: “Christ is already working in Macon—our job is to notice it, join Him, and form our students to be part of it.”
About St. Joseph’s Catholic School
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1872, St. Joseph’s Catholic School serves approximately 200 students across grades 2K–5 in the Middle Georgia city of Macon, St. Joseph’s is dedicated to educating, nurturing, and encouraging the whole child through Gospel values. The school combines academic rigor with robust service opportunities, vibrant Catholic traditions, and intentional character development that shapes students into faithful, compassionate leaders.
