29 Apr 2024 501Der Women 2024: Principal Power

By Mary Eggart

Jennifer Bailey Roscoe was born to be an educator and role model. Raised by parents who spent their entire careers in education, Roscoe has influenced countless young lives, passionately carrying on her parents’ legacy. As the current principal of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Morrilton, Roscoe is fiercely committed to her faculty, staff and students. She shares this devotion with her father, Brian Bailey, who, after a long career in public education as a teacher, coach and administrator, was the principal of Sacred Heart for 13 years. 

Like both her parents, Roscoe began her career in education as a teacher. Years later, she decided to become a school counselor, which later evolved into her desire to become a school administrator. Now, as the principal of Sacred Heart, Roscoe strives daily to continue the strong caliber of leadership that her father possessed while at Sacred Heart. When the principal position became available, the school was in a process of transition, and Roscoe believed that she had a respect and appreciation for the job that not many other people possessed. This was due primarily to her father’s innovative leadership at Sacred Heart. While at the school, Bailey led the faculty and school community by making many critical changes and improvements that positively impacted the future of the school. When asked about her father’s influence on her decision to become the school’s principal, Roscoe stated, “I knew what the school meant to him, and I had the same respect and appreciation for the job as he did.”

Roscoe’s passion for the school is evident in the way she interacts daily with the students. And much of that rapport began while she was the school’s counselor. Little did she know that these skills as a counselor would lead to her being a principal who was more focused on building connections and relationships with students, faculty, staff and parents —  a trait she observed in her father. 

Roscoe was a student at Morrilton High School during her father’s 20-year tenure as principal. As the father/daughter duo explained, this often came with obvious trials and tribulations. However, the two both agree that there was much more positive than negative, and they have wonderful lifelong memories of their time together during Roscoe’s high school years. When asked about her experiences as a student under her father’s leadership, Roscoe stated, “What made such an impact on me as his daughter was his rapport he had with the students and his dedication to them. I can remember many nights when various students would be at our house, and dad was tutoring students. That’s when I learned how important it was to have deeper level of understanding and love for the community you serve.” Experiences like these shaped Roscoe’s personality, her character and her career choices. 

When asked about what she enjoys most about administration, it was of no surprise that Roscoe stated, “For me, it’s all about relationships with the kids, and this is where my counseling background comes out as an administrator.” Not only is Roscoe gifted with student relationship building, she is also continually building connections with the other members of the school’s community. Susan Buser, parent and current president of the Sacred Heart School Board remarked, “Jennifer Roscoe creates an environment where students can thrive. Her leadership, relationship building, and communication with teachers, staff and parents show her passion for our school community. She is always looking for ways to improve the school,” a task that her father also committed himself to for 13 years.

Roscoe is only completing her second year as Sacred Heart’s principal; nonetheless, she has accomplished a great deal during that time, and the school has made significant improvements and changes. First, the security throughout the campus has been vastly upgraded and improved. Additionally, Roscoe has led multiple campus-wide projects that have enhanced the school, both internally and externally. But the change that gives Roscoe the most pride concerns the school’s teachers. She said, “Increasing teacher pay has been a priority. We must continue to keep our wonderful teachers and continue to recruit the very best for our students.”

When both Roscoe and Bailey were asked about the challenges of being an administrator, Roscoe stated, “You can’t possibly do it all. There is never enough time.” To which Bailey added jokingly, “This is a family fault for us.” 

When asked how Bailey would describe his daughter as a school administrator, he smiled wryly and said, “Well, she came out of the womb in charge. Even as a young girl, she showed that she can take it, and she can give it. But she is also incredibly open and is a really good listener. When asked, she will tell you exactly what she thinks and has a way with kids that is really special. She is everything I had ever hoped her to be —she gets it.”

And the students, faculty, staff and parents of Sacred Heart School are glad she does too.