Office of Schools welcomes new Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools

The Archdiocese of Newark is preparing for the 2023-24 school year with a new appointment to the Office of Schools’ leadership team. 

On July 5, Dr. Adele Ellis joined the Office of Schools as the newly appointed Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools and Operational Vitality. In the newly-created role, she oversees the elementary schools in Hudson and Bergen counties and coordinates the efforts of the Office of Catholic Schools to strengthen the viability and sustainability of schools. 

Dr. Ellis comes to the Archdiocese from Holy Trinity School in Westfield where she served as principal for the past five years.“We are very happy to welcome Dr. Ellis to the Office of Catholic Schools,” said Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Newark. “Adele’s commitment to Catholic education, her knowledge of our policies and procedures, and her leadership experience will guide her work with principals. She will bring an additional perspective to our team as we work to support the ministry of Catholic school education in the Archdiocese of Newark.”   

Dr. Ellis is a graduate of Seton Hall University with an M.A. and Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Management, and Leadership. She previously served as principal at two archdiocesan Catholic schools: St. Michael Schools in Union County and Holy Trinity School in Westfield.  

Additionally, she served as the Assistant Superintendent of Technology in the Metuchen Diocese and held various positions at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. 

“I feel honored to be able to work with the principals here in the Archdiocese of Newark -- to help them solve problems and to celebrate victories, as well,” Dr. Ellis said.  

She reflected that her experience of being a school principal during the pandemic has given her a unique perspective on the challenges school administrators are facing in the present day, which she hopes she can share with archdiocesan school leaders.  

Dr. Ellis said Catholic education is important to her because of its emphasis on character development and social responsibility.  

“I feel that my faith grounds me in understanding that the world is bigger than me,” Dr. Ellis said. “We are all here, as Jesus was, to care for each other -- to be kind to each other. We use the gifts God has given us to help mankind. When someone has gone through Catholic education, they really focus on what they can do for others, and I think that is especially important today.” 

Dr. Ellis joins Father Stephen J. Fichter, Ph.D., Episcopal Vicar of Education for the Archdiocese; Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools; Brother Christopher D. Hall, C.F.C., Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools; Mary McElroy, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools in Essex and Union Counties and Government Programs; and June Butchko, Coordinator for Curriculum and Assessment in fulfilling the mission of the Office of Catholic Schools.  

The mission of the Office of Catholic Schools is a commitment to shaping the future of students by cultivating Catholic school leadership; serving as catalysts and resources by providing vision, direction, and service in a collaborative mode; and acting in the spirit of the gospels and in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. 

Dr. Adele Ellis will strive to form connections with Archdiocesan principals as she assumes her new role as a member of the Office of Schools' leadership team.