During St. James’ 8th grade graduation this year, Susannah presented the Head of School award for 2020 to Dawson Palmer, which includes a college scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to the school of the recipient’s choice upon graduation from high s… — During St. James’ 8th grade graduation this year, Susannah presented the Head of School award for 2020 to Dawson Palmer, which includes a college scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to the school of the recipient’s choice upon graduation from high school. Funds for this scholarship are made possible by an endowment set up by Buddy Bell in honor of his mother, Martha Bell, a former teacher at St. James.

*Members of Susannah’s 6th grade class, class of 2016, visit with her during their annual Field Day. Pictured with her are Worth Matteson, Cole Gies, Thompson Matteson and Luke Smith.*

*Both of Susannah’s daughters, Catherine and Caroline, have attended St. James Day School.*

*Susannah presents Caught Being Kind awards to students during a weekly all school chapel service.*

The profession of teaching is often regarded as simultaneously rewarding and challenging. Teachers have always assumed many roles beyond that of the traditional educator. They are listeners, caretakers, moderators, managers ... the list goes on. Particularly now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers have to don new hats as they adapt to educating students in varied platforms while maintaining the state and federal recommended health and safety protocols.

Susannah Joyce is one of those teachers who has put on a new hat as the Head of School at St. James Day School, Texarkana’s private Episcopal school that teaches students from preschool through 8th grade. Susannah’s path to administration has been a natural one that has been nurtured through a deep involvement with the school, her faith, and the encouragement of others.

Texarkana has always been home to Susannah, although she wasn’t sure that she would settle in the community after college. Upon graduating from Pleasant Grove High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science with a minor in business at Texas Christian University. “Upon my graduation from TCU, I was contemplating attending law school. My first year out of college, I worked as a paralegal for a local law firm. I was then offered a position as the Human Resources Manager at Mayo Manufacturing, an upholstered furniture manufacturer, and also my family’s business.” Susannah married fellow native Gene Joyce in 1998 and worked at Mayo Manufacturing up until the birth of their first daughter, Caroline. Four years later, Catherine was born. St. James was the ideal school for both daughters. The Joyces enrolled Caroline in St. James’ K-3 class, and Susannah began to volunteer at the school in various capacities.

“I opted to become a stay-home-mom until both of my girls were students at St. James, and a few years later, I accepted a teaching position at the school,” Susannah explains. “I taught third grade for three years and sixth grade for three years. There are so many things I’ve enjoyed about teaching. One of the best things about teaching at St. James is the ability to truly get to know your kids – who they are, what they need, and what they don’t need.” In 2017, Susannah was offered a position in administration at St. James in Faculty Management and Communications. “It was during this time my predecessor, Cheryl Brown, made the decision to retire, and I was offered an Interim Head of School position,” she states. “Following a probationary period, the Board of Trustees voted to offer me the Head of School position, which I accepted.”

Susannah’s wealth of experience at St. James has helped her to prepare for her current role. “Though unpremeditated, my interest in this position sat squarely upon a few factors: my background knowledge, and faith, and encouragement from others. The reality is that I’ve experienced St. James from almost every significant angle possible. I’ve been a part of the St. James family for 15 years. I began as a parent, then a parent volunteer in almost every capacity. I served on the Board of Trustees for three years, I taught for six years, and lastly I worked in administration.” Susannah credits these experiences as well as other elements in aiding her decision to accept the Head of School position. “The knowledge and skills these positions taught me, along with management experience in HR, provided me with a solid background and foundation to tackle this job. This, combined with encouragement and affirmation from staff members and our board, gave me the courage to accept this position.”

Members of the St. James family give kudos to Susannah as the Head of School. Lindsey Looney, Faculty Management and Marketing Director, who also taught with Susannah at the lower school (elementary) level, speaks to Susannah’s leadership. “Susannah is passionate about St. James. Through working with her in various capacities over the years, I can honestly say that she leads through her positive actions and the ongoing support she gives. She is inspiring and motivational to help grow us all as individuals so that together, we can offer the best educational experience for not only our students, but ourselves as well.” St. James Board President and parent Monica Bruner avers, “Susannah is a true blessing to St. James Day School. In her first year as Head of School, she successfully guided us through a 10-year onsite accreditation visit and has led our response to COVID-19 with her ability to quickly grasp the reality of a situation and formulate a plan of action. She brings a fresh approach to an educational institution that has educated students in Texarkana for over 70 years.”

Dawson Palmer, Class of 2020 graduate, praises Susannah as well: “I was lucky enough to have Mrs. Joyce as my 3rd grade teacher and again as my 6th grade teacher, and then as my final Head of School. She helped make my years at St. James memorable. She is patient, kind, and loving. I appreciate her dedication to my education through the years, and I know that I am a better student because of her leadership, patience, and understanding. Receiving the Head of School award, under her leadership, will always be an honor for me.”

The students remain at the heart of Susannah’s love for St. James. As a teacher, she truly listened and paid attention to students’ concerns and needs, both academic and emotional. She can clearly see and value a child for him or herself. She does the same as an administrator, helping to guide students through a personal issue and always championing them. “A highlight of my time here has to be our recent 8th grade graduation,” Susannah remarks. “Our first 8th graders to graduate since upward expansion, these three boys were all former students of mine, and I was so proud of them all! It was a wonderful experience.”

Susannah is forward-thinking as an administrator, as she considers the skills students need to succeed as adults. “I think it goes without saying that the future of education will continue down the digital pathway it’s already traveling. Our students need to embrace flexibility, as well as hone self problem-solving skills. A traditional element that needs to be elevated is people skills,” she reflects. “Educators need to be mindful of presenting opportunities for students to engage in public speaking and presentation skills, as well as group collaboration. There is no substitute for excellent people skills, and our students need continuous practice at this in every subject domain.”

Throughout her life and especially regarding her vocation, Susannah has relied on the support of her family. “With respect to my journey in the field of education, I have to say my biggest supporter has been my husband, Gene Joyce. He recognized, before I did, how this path served a purpose in my life. Gene is an excellent moral compass for me, because he knows me so well, and he truly wants me to be happy.” Susannah comments that “the Serenity Prayer has also provided valuable guidance and inspiration to me on many occasions in my life. ‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’ I try to practice this on a daily basis.”

As a school leader, Susannah models for both her students and her own daughters the value of giving one’s time and service to local organizations. A 2000 graduate of Leadership Texarkana, she has served on numerous boards and is currently involved in CASA’s Women of Hope, the Junior League Sustainers, and Women for Texarkana A&M. Susannah also will be participating in the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools’ Head of Schools University this fall.

Although she recognizes that it’s a challenge for her to find balance between work and family, Susannah likes to travel to see new places as well as visit old, familiar places, “where I’ve made memories with family and friends. I also enjoy playing tennis, reading, watching my children perform and compete in sports, and loving on all my sweet fur babies.”

Family support, faith, and a variety of experiences has led Susannah to find her home in the leadership of St. James Day School. “Without question, the best part of my job is that I work at a place I believe in and love. I love the kids, the people I work with, our families, and the tradition and culture that is St. James – it’s my happy place!” She also is grateful for her family. “A younger version of me pictured herself leaving Texarkana, moving elsewhere, and starting a new life,” she remarks. “Looking at my life now, it has been such a blessing the majority of my extended family is here, and I know how lucky I am to have such excellent people in my immediate family’s lives. I’m sincerely thankful for my family!”

*The support of her daughters, Catherine (14), and Caroline (18), and her husband, Gene, has meant the world to Susannah throughout her educational career.*

Feature Stories

A Natural Fit