CONGRATULATIONS, MRS. MARGARET STROBEL PYBURN, ON 10 YEARS AT SCA!

Her journey began in Nashville, Tennessee, where she was born and raised. After graduating from St. Cecilia in 1993, she attended Loyola University in New Orleans before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University, where she earned a degree in Health and Physical Education.

Before joining the St. Cecilia Academy faculty, Mrs. Pyburn was a physical education teacher and business owner. She taught at H.G. Hill Elementary and Granbery Elementary in Nashville, as well as Holy Cross Episcopal School in Montgomery, Alabama. After the birth of her second child, Mark, she decided to start her own business, Maggie Py's Paper & Gifts allowing her to stay home with her children—Mark, his older sister Mary Catherine, and later their younger sisters, Amelia, Helen, and Mimi. While she cherished her time as a business owner, Mrs. Pyburn felt called to return to the school environment. She became a substitute teacher at her children’s school and eventually took on the role of computer teacher at Granbery Elementary.

Mrs. Pyburn’s connection to SCA runs deep.  As a proud member of the Class of 1993, she hoped her daughters would enjoy the same experience she had. While coaching her daughter’s 7th and 8th-grade volleyball team, she contacted SCA’s volleyball coach, Maggie Kuyper, to assist with tryouts. During their discussions, Mrs. Pyburn expressed her interest in a teaching position in physical education or wellness at SCA if it became available. Three years later, in 2014, she received an email from Coach Kuyper about a part-time wellness teacher opening, leading her to join the faculty. In January 2015, after Coach Kuyper decided to stay home with her children, Mrs. Pyburn transitioned into the role of Director of Student Activities, a position she held for eight years. Since 2022, she has served as the Director of Student Affairs, overseeing discipline, attendance, and security.

When asked about her favorite aspect of working at SCA, Mrs. Pyburn points to the students, faculty, and supportive community. “The students here are exceptional,” she shares. “They are intelligent, kind, and filled with joy, often with a touch of drama that makes school life exciting.”

Over the past decade, Mrs. Pyburn has formed some of her closest friendships on campus. She believes the heart of St. Cecilia lies in its community, where parents, grandparents, alumnae, and everyone involved come together like a family, always ready to support one another.

An enthusiastic fan of SCA traditions, Scarab sports, and the fine arts, Mrs. Pyburn counts Spirit Week as one of her favorite times of the year, both as a student and staff member. “There's something extraordinary about the energy during that week—dressing up and acting like complete fools—all for the girls!  The passion and competitive love shared during this week is something only SCA students, faculty, and staff understand!”

Another fond memory for Mrs. Pyburn was being a munchkin in the 2017 production of The Wizard of Oz. “I had never been in a musical as a St. Cecilia student, so I asked Mrs. Cathie Stamps if I could be a part of it. To my surprise, she said yes!  So, there I was, the oldest munchkin on stage!”

Above all, Mrs. Pyburn will never forget the assistance her children and she experienced after the sudden passing of her husband in 2023. “The love and support my children and I received from the SCA community during that time were overwhelming,” she reflects. “The cards, texts, meals, and prayers exemplified the compassion that is at the heart of SCA.”

Mrs. Pyburn describes SCA as “discovering a hidden gem,” emphasizing the lasting friendships and encouraging environment where students can thrive. “You can run for officer positions without boys, allowing you to discover your leadership potential,” she explains. The dedication of the caring faculty and the spiritual support from the Sisters are also significant highlights for prospective students.”

When not working at SCA, Mrs. Pyburn enjoys spending time with her five children, siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends. She also enjoys attending Barre3 classes, eating out, visiting the beach, going to concerts, and indulging in a little Amazon shopping.