Our low student/teacher ratio gives us something other schools might consider a luxury: time to get to know the student.

John H. Tucker, Jr.

Educational Consultant

John Tucker, formerly headmaster of Norfolk Academy for 22 years, is one of the most respected school administrators in the independent school industry. As educational consultant to the James-Barry Robinson Board of Trustees, he brings to Saint Patrick more than 50 years of experience in teaching and school administration.

The status quo should never be the goal or objective of the teachers and principals. The latter should search constantly for new ways to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom. A planned program of professional development will often provide the necessary vision for successful school renewal.

~ JHT, Jr.

His teaching career began in 1954 at Cradock High School in Portsmouth where he taught social studies. After one year, he joined Norfolk Academy, where for the next 15 years, he held a number of instructional and administrative positions including instructor of English and history and later head of the history department; assistant headmaster and director of the Boys' Division; director of admissions; and college admissions counselor. He left Norfolk Academy in 1970 to serve as headmaster of North Cross School in Roanoke, Va. until 1978. From 1978 until his retirement in 2000, John served as the headmaster of Norfolk Academy, during which time the school experienced tremendous growth.

John has served as a member of the Board of Visitors, College of William & Mary in which he was chairman of the academic committee and chairman of the student affairs committee; president and board member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools; board member of Independent Education Services; an elected member of the Headmaster's Association of America; and president and secretary of the Country ay Schools Headmaster Association.

As for civic duties, John has channeled an enormous amount of time to a host of organizations. He is currently an adjunct professor of education at Old Dominion University; executive vice president of the Outer Banks Forum for the Arts; board member of the Roanoke Island Historical Association; and member of the National Board of Breakthrough Collaborative. He has also served as a member of the board of directors of the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra; member of the Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee; board member of the Roanoke Fine Arts Center and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra; and member of the board and president of the Norfolk Forum.

John has also been intimately involved in his church. He is currently a member of the All Saints' Episcopal Church in Kitty Hawk, N.C. where he served as chairman of the Stewardship Committee. He has also been a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Norfolk where he served as a member of the vestry and an assistant in religious education. He also was a member of the executive board of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia and member of the Mission and Ministry Program for the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

John received his Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William & Mary, followed by a Masters in Elementary and Secondary School Administration from the same university. He received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Old Dominion University.