A school official trained in psychology and law has been named as the new headmaster of the Episcopal Day School in Southern Pines.

Michael Cerkovnik, of Davidson, was the unanimous choice by the school’s board to replace retiring Headmaster Jay St. John.

A native of Pittsburgh, Cerkovnik was the head of Educational Innovation and Research at Davidson Day School near Charlotte and holds degrees in clinical psychology and law.

“On behalf of the board of trustees of Episcopal Day School, it is my great pleasure to announce that the board has appointed Michael Cerkovnik as the new head of school, effective July 1, 2012,” said Donna Carter, chairwoman of the school board. “The board’s decision to select Michael followed the unanimous recommendation of the search committee, which cited a strong match between criteria established by the committee and Michael’s credentials and enthusiastic leadership style.”

Cerkovnik, a member of the moral development team for the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education in Oregon, said that students “must come to love learning for learning’s sake, for it is a process in which they will necessarily be engaged for the rest of their lives. This passion for learning will produce superlative scholarship. The environment will be ‘nurturing’ and ‘child centered’ because it’s educationally sound to be both.”

Along with a career-long passion for early childhood education, Cerkovnik brings a professional history that includes being director of psychological services and a school psychologist in Fairfax, Vt., partnering with the Co-­Evolution Group to develop and administer an international collaborative website challenge for middle school students, and an ongoing involvement on the council for Spiritual and Ethical Education.

His educational credentials include a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Miami University in Ohio, graduate work at Cornell University in developmental psychology and a law degree from Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pa.

Cerkovnik said he was excited to become the new headmaster at what he called a “character-driven” school.

“You hear the term ‘fit’ all the time, but this truly was a good fit,” he said. “While I am trained in psychology and law, I am an educator first. My educational philosophy straddles the spiritual and the educational, and I will strive to both inspire and mentor in my new role as headmaster.”

Carter said that as they “anticipate an exciting future ahead” the board “is committed to a comprehensive transition process to ensure that Michael has multiple opportunities to begin developing relationships with students, parents, teachers and staff.”

Cerkovnik and his wife, Angela, will attend a “meet-and-greet” event in their honor May 23 in Southern Pines.

Contact John Lentz at (910) 593-2479 or jlentz@thepilot.com.