An educational philosophy is the tool that provides direction, and forms the conceptual structure for a school’s purpose and mission. Thomas Hopkins (1941) noted that “philosophy has entered into every important decision that has ever been made about curriculum, and teaching in the past, and will continue to be the basis of every important decision in the future…” (as cited in Ornstein, 2015). The fundamental and essential basis for my philosophy of Catholic education originated from a strong belief in a duty to serve God, and an understanding that each child is a unique gift from God, with individual needs, abilities and potential. This philosophy underlies the mission I adopted from the Diocese of Arlington, “to serve God by providing for the social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and academic development of each child,” while helping each child develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As a Catholic school administrator, my philosophy of education reflects the desire to be a servant leader, dedicated to meeting individual student learning needs. In this way, student needs are put ahead of administrator or teacher needs.…