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Embracing faith and excellence: a look at the new leadership in Newark's Catholic schools
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July 27, 2023The Office of Schools has announced new leadership for six Catholic schools — Saint John's Academy in Hillsdale, Holy Trinity School in Westfield, Saint Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield, Sacred Heart School in Jersey City, Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Park Ridge, and Saint Michael School in Union.
The principals of these schools shared their backgrounds and plans for the upcoming academic year with Jersey Catholic.Saint John’s Academy welcomes Ann Mitchell
Ann Mitchell, an experienced educator, and administrator, will take over as the principal at Saint John's Academy in Hillsdale. Mitchell joins the Archdiocese from Divine Mercy Academy in Rockaway, where she served 12 years as principal. She replaces former principal Theresa Cabrera who assumed leadership at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Glen Rock.
Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Government, and Politics from Manhattan College, as well as a Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University. With 21 years of experience as a Catholic school principal and a strong educational background, she expressed her eagerness to serve the Saint John's Academy community.
“I look forward to getting to know and serving all members of the Saint John's Academy community,” Mitchell said. “I am focused on supporting my students, faculty, staff, and school families so that they have a wonderful, faith-filled school year.”
As a product of lifelong Catholic education herself, Mitchell believes strongly in the mission of Catholic education. "I truly feel that a Catholic education is a gift that will positively influence students throughout their lives,” she said.Holy Trinity School introduces Michael Petrillo
Students, parents, and Holy Trinity School staff in Westfield will welcome new principal Michael Petrillo. For the past seven years, Petrillo has been the principal at Saint Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield. He replaces Dr. Adele Ellis, who recently joined the Office of Schools as the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools and Operational Vitality.
Prior to his tenure as Saint Thomas principal, Petrillo taught physical education, middle school social studies, and homeroom for seven years. He holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Caldwell College.
Petrillo spoke passionately about the nurturing environment of Catholic schools.
"Catholic schools are nurturing environments, environments that emphasize academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and so much more," he said.
Petrillo expressed his dedication to building a strong rapport with the students and faculty at Holy Trinity School, as well as strengthening relationships with the parish community and the town of Westfield.Ellen Naughton returns to Saint Thomas the Apostle
Ellen Naughton, a seasoned educator and principal in the Archdiocese for over two decades, will be reprising her role as a school leader in the fall, this time at Saint Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield. The role was previously held by Michael Petrillo, who will be moving to Saint John’s Academy in Hillsdale this fall to serve as principal.
Naughton holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Seton Hall University. She has extensive experience as a principal within the Archdiocese of Newark at Queen of Peace Grammar School in North Arlington and is well-versed in Catholic school administration.
In addition to her educational experience within the Archdiocese of Newark, she is very familiar with the Saint Thomas the Apostle School community. Naughton taught at the school for over 10 years and her four children graduated from St. Thomas the Apostle School.
Naughton expressed her commitment to Catholic education.
"In a world experiencing a crisis of values, we need Catholic education now more than ever," she said. "I look forward to building positive relationships with all the stakeholders at St. Thomas the Apostle School and look forward to a successful school year."Joanne Gorman named principal at Sacred Heart School
Joanne Gorman, who previously served as the Director of Religious Education and as a pastoral associate at Saint Paul the Apostle Church in Jersey City, will now be leading Sacred Heart School in Jersey City. She fills the role of Sister Frances Salemi, S.C., who retired earlier this year after 49 years at the school.
“I am especially grateful for the opportunity to share my faith with students who will be influenced by a community of believers for years of their lives,” she said.
Gorman anticipates new bonds between the school and the community as Sacred Heart partners with Saint Paul the Apostle Church in Jersey City to maintain the mission of Catholic education in the Greenville area.
“Because Sacred Heart does not have a church, I will be assisting my pastor, Father Joseph Furnaguera, to create a bridge between the school and our parish, St. Paul the Apostle,” she said. “We are actively identifying opportunities to merge these two entities and expand the reach of Catholic education.”Margaret Kazan becomes principal at Saint Michael School
Margaret Kazan will take over as the new principal at Saint Michael School in Union, where she will be replacing Rebekah Scicolone. Her most recent experience was at Transfiguration School in Tarrytown, N.Y., where she was principal from 2018.
Kazan was raised in California and attended the University of San Diego. She holds a Master of Education in School Leadership degree from Saint John’s University and was a Curran Fellow of the Curran Catholic School Leadership Academy in New York.
She brings over 20 years of experience as a Catholic educator to her new role, having previously worked in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and New York.
Inspired by her own experiences as a Catholic student, and “amazing teachers and principals,” she wants to provide for others what those experiences gave her, she said.
She is excited to learn all about Saint Michael School and work closely with students and teachers while increasing the school's social media presence.Theresa Cabrera is welcomed as principal at Our Lady of Mercy Academy
Theresa Cabrera was named principal at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Park Ridge, replacing Michelle Powrie, who served as principal from July 2020.
Cabrera most recently served as principal at Saint John’s Academy in Hillsdale. She has over 20 years of experience as an educator and a principal in Catholic schools. She holds a B.A. in Spanish from Montclair State University, an M. Ed. in Teaching and Learning English from Liberty University, and an Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership, Management, and Policy. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. at Seton Hall University.
“As an adult and an educator, it is very important to me to be able to share my faith with others and use my experiences to help children, especially, to grow in their own relationship with God,” Cabrera said. “I have always felt Jesus' presence in my life and know that He is always beside me and guiding me. Early in my career, it became clear to me that Jesus was guiding me to focus on Catholic education. As a result, I have dedicated my professional life to Catholic education.”
She hopes to guide the students through their own faith journey and foster a love of learning at the school.
"I want to develop a culture of collaboration and leadership with the shared goal of encouraging our students to remain faithful to God and live their faith, to provide a rigorous education, and develop a lifelong love of learning in our students, and to guide them through our own example to be stewards of this Earth our Lord has blessed us with and to serve others as we are called to do by Jesus,” she said.
