STERLING – As the new principal at St. Mary School, Patricia Reynolds says she has an advantage: Since she’s new to the private school world, she still is enthusiastic about raising funds.

“I haven’t had the frustration of having doors closed in my face,” says Reynolds, 63, a Sterling native and self-described “idea person.”

Reynolds, who has been teaching off and on since 1972, came out of a 3-year retirement to take the principal position because she missed being around people and working in education, she said.