SJA STRONG
SJA Strong is a student-led program that is rooted in the Christian understanding that we are all created good, and with Christ, we have what we need to live happy, holy, and healthy lives. Through our school’s pillars of Heart, Body, Relationships, and Mind and the attributes of the saints, we develop campaigns throughout the year to help students find their personal strengths to live a Christ-centered and gratified life.
Natalie Muehlberger
Guidance Counselor | Caseload O-Z
Natalie Muehlberger
Guidance Counselor | Caseload O-Z | Padre Pio
Natalie is a 1996 graduate of Bishop Ward High School. She started her teacher career at her Alma Mater; where she was an English teacher and coach for 11 years. She came to SJA in 2013 as an English teacher. She moved into the counseling department 4 years ago. She has been married to John Muehlberger for 15 years and they have three children, Andy (Courtney) c/o 2013, Jillian and Rose. Andy and Courtney have blessed Natalie and John with their first granddaughter, Kennedy.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Education
St. Mary College: BA in English and Secondary Education
University of West Alabama: MED in School Counseling
The St. Michael Shield
was chosen as the backdrop as he is our defender and protector.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
was chosen for the centerpiece as it is a symbol of God’s boundless, passionate and merciful love for mankind.
The Cross
portrays the four main pillars: Heart, Body, Relationships and Mind as these are the key components to fuel the health and happiness of our personhood.
As a means to promote each pillar there are two characteristics connected to our community saints that embody strengths proven to be positive traits to charge the human person.
Heart:
- St. Catherine through the development of our interior life.
- St. Benedict by way of generosity and gifts.
Relationships:
- St. Gianna Molla by depending on family support.
- St. John Paul II by relying on positive friends.
Body:
- St. Padre Pio by strengthening our physical health.
- St. Gregory through nurturing our intellectual health.
Mind:
- St. Teresa by showing gratitude.
- St. Peter by choosing positive mentors.
Health & Wellness Strategies
As part of our mission to “pass on the Catholic faith to the next generation”, the St. James Academy teachers and administration are further enhancing the health and wellness initiatives we offer our students. The Church teaches very clearly that the dignity of each human person must be protected and made manifest in the choices we make regarding our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The human person participates in the light and power of the divine Spirit…By his reason, man recognizes the voice of God which urges him ‘to do what is good and avoid what is evil.’” (CCC 1704-1706). Living a moral life bears witness to the dignity of the person.
It is our hope that deepening our students’ knowledge regarding the choices presented to them will help them understand that “the Law of the Gospel requires us to make the decisive choice between the two ways and to put into practice the words of the Lord” (CCC 1970). Our goal is to help our students see the joy, peace, and freedom offered by “the way” of the Gospel, Jesus Christ, as opposed to “the way” of our culture, enslavement to sin.
Important pieces
Click on important pieces to learn more information about them!
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Community System
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House and Mentor Teachers
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Virtuous Behavior Program
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Anti-Bullying Program
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AWOL (Away with our Lord)
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Social Emotional Counselors
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Clubs & Activities
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Athletics
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Class Retreats
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Prayer Line
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Random Drug & Alcohol Testing Program
