Cody Rincker New SAGS Principal

St. Anthony Grade School has announced the appointment of Cody Rincker as principal, beginning July 1.

Rincker will replace current principal Matt Sturgeon who has been hired as Superintendent of Teutopolis Unit #50 School District. Rincker was chosen from a pool of eight candidates from throughout the region.

(CODY RINCKER)

Currently the health and physical education teacher for St. Anthony Grade School, Rincker brings nine years of experience in education, along with a background in coaching. Rincker received his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education Teacher Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2011; his masters of science in Education Leadership from American College of Education in 2016, and his masters of science in Physical Education and Coaching from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2019.

“We are fortunate to have had a great group of candidates, and one candidate clearly rose to the top,” states St. Anthony School Board President Jason Carpenter. “His excitement to continue his commitment with St. Anthony Parish and St. Anthony Schools as Grade School Principal is not only an asset to our school but to our community.”

A welcome reception will tentatively be planned in August with the SAGS Student Back to School Night to introduce Rincker to the St. Anthony school and parish families. Rincker will be formally introduced to the St. Anthony Board of Education during their next regular session via Zoom on Wednesday, May 20. In Rincker’s transition to grade school principal, he will continue in his current role as boys varsity basketball coach for St. Anthony High School.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to be the principal at St. Anthony Grade School,” says Rincker. “I look forward to the challenge and to continue working with a great staff and parish community.”

Rincker is originally from Strasburg, IL while his wife, Nicole, is originally from Effingham St. Anthony. They reside in Effingham with their three children, Grant, James, and Logan.

Sturgeon has been hired as Superintendent of Teutopolis Unit #50 School District after four years as principal for St Anthony Grade School. He has 14 years of experience in education with prior experience as the Principal of Franklin Park Middle School in Salem, IL.

“Mr. Sturgeon has been an outstanding leader for St. Anthony Grade School these past four years and will be greatly missed,” adds Fr. Al Allen. “We are happy to still have him in the community and know he will do well at Teutopolis Unit #50. Mr. Rincker will take our school to a deeper level of faith and bring our school to the next level.”

To learn more about St. Anthony schools, visit www.stanthony.com.