Nine Catholic Schools in Archdiocese of Washington Have New Principals This Fall
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the doors open for the 2017-2018 school year, nine Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Washington will be led by new principals.
The new principals are:
Nelson Abreu, St. Ambrose School (Cheverly)
Janine Bertolotti, St. Joseph Regional Catholic School (Beltsville)
Frank English, St. Bartholomew School (Bethesda)
Theodore Ewanciw, St. Bernadette School (Silver Spring)
Heather Francisco, Father Andrew White, S.J. School (Leonardtown)
Nathaniel Juarez, Annunciation Catholic School (Washington, D.C.)
Barbara Stirling, Little Flower School (Great Mills)
In addition, two veteran educators who have previously served in other archdiocesan schools as principals will have new school assignments:
Karen Clay, St. Peter’s School (Washington, D.C.)
Stephen Lamont, St. Philip the Apostle School (Camp Springs)
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Annunciation Catholic School, Washington, D.C. – Nathaniel Juarez will serve as interim principal at Annunciation Catholic School. He has a Master of School Administration with a major in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame, as well as a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Art Studio and a minor in Theology. Mr. Juarez had been the assistant principal and middle school math teacher at Annunciation School since August 2012. “Christ offered a philosophy that speaks to a growth mindset culture that meets each child and stakeholder in their given context. Consequently, I wish to minister to a school community with all the blessings Christ has given me.”
St. Peter School, Washington, D.C. – Karen Clay is a certified principal who has a Master of Education degree in Administration and Supervision from Marymount University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Miss Clay previously served as principal of St. Philip the Apostle School in Camp Springs. She began her career in Catholic education at Holy Trinity School in Washington in 2008 as a fourth grade teacher, and then served as assistant principal from 2010-2014. “The vocation of a Catholic school leader is rooted in Jesus’ instructional model. In the ministry of school administration, principals are invited to be more like Jesus – the first servant leader – with the children we teach, the parents to whom we minister, and the teachers we empower. Jesus challenges us to evangelize, transform, and love boldly. It is in that audacious spirit that we become the leader that our stakeholders follow.”
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
St. Ambrose School, Cheverly – Nelson Abreu has a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching. He began his career at the Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington as a teacher, and most recently served as the assistant principal there. “My spiritual experiences have also been vital to my development as an educator. In my life, I have relied on my faith to not only help me through difficult times, but to also act as a compass for the person which I desire to be. Working in a Catholic school for these past nine years has allowed me to develop and learn the Gospel and how vital it is to our daily lives. Additionally, it has allowed me to realize my passion for nurturing spiritual, social-emotional, and academic growth in students. At a young age, my parents fostered my relationship with God and it has been an incredible part of my life. It is something I fully cherish and strive to pass on to my students.”
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School, Beltsville – Janine Bertolotti is a Doctor of Education with a major in Educational Leadership from the University of Florida. Dr. Bertolotti also holds an Educational Specialist Certificate with a major in Educational Leadership from the University of Florida, a Master of Arts degree with a major in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in biology and neuroscience from Wesleyan College. She began her career in education as a science teacher in San Antonio, Texas, and was most recently the Northeast Independent School District Instructional Dean in San Antonio. “God has blessed me with the experiences that would mold and inform my decisions as a spiritual and instructional leader,” said Dr. Bertolotti. “My Catholic identity is a product of a Catholic upbringing and twelve years of Catholic education. It is this education that has afforded me opportunities in my academic and professional life, and, especially, served as the foundation of my personal life.”
St. Philip the Apostle School, Camp Springs – Stephen Lamont will serve as interim principal at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic School. Mr. Lamont has a master’s degree from The George Washington University in Educational Leadership and Administration and a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut in Economics. Mr. Lamont began his career in Catholic education in 2007 at Archbishop Carroll High School where he was a math teacher and math department chair, and also served as vice principal there. He then served as principal at St. Bartholomew School in Bethesda. “Gospel values and faith are essential for a successful life. My mission as an educator is to ensure access to those resources and opportunities to grow in faith, and to give teachers the support they need to effectively educate.”
ST. MARY’S COUNTY
Little Flower School, Great Mills – Barbara Stirling is serving as interim principal at Little Flower School. Mrs. Stirling just completed a milestone in her professional career: 25 years as a Catholic school educator, including 23 years on the staff of Little Flower School. She has taught a variety of subjects over the years, including math, music, computers, and, most recently, middle school language arts. Originally from Oil City, Pennsylvania where she attended both Catholic grade school and high school, Mrs. Stirling earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the Pennsylvania State University.
Father Andrew White, S.J. School, Leonardtown – Heather Francisco left the Archdiocese of Washington in 2014 to teach at a Catholic elementary school in Wellesley, Massachusetts, but now returns to lead Father Andrew White, S.J. School, where she taught second grade from 2004-2014. Miss Francisco is currently in a master’s degree program in Educational Leadership with a concentration on Catholic education. “In both my [master’s program classes] and through practical experience, I have gained an understanding of Catholic school principals as educational, managerial, and spiritual leaders. Having had the privilege of calling Father Andrew White School my ‘home’ for ten years, I know the community. I respect and admire the dedication of the faculty and staff. I recognize and truly appreciate the commitment of the parents and extended families to Catholic education. I love the students and their enthusiasm as they strive to fulfill the words of the school motto, Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow, Living Our Faith.”
MONTGOMERY COUNTRY
St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda – Frank English will serve as interim principal at St. Bartholomew School. Mr. English has a Certificate of Study (postgraduate) from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore with a major in Education Administration. He also holds a Master of Arts with a major in Guidance and Counseling from Trinity College in Washington, and a Bachelor of Science with a major in Accounting/Finance from Saint Francis College in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Mr. English began his career in education at Our Lady of Mercy School in Potomac, Maryland where he was a teacher and a counselor, and later served as assistant principal. “In all my teaching life, I have been a religion teacher. I have had the honor of proclaiming God’s Word to my students. Jesus is the teacher and the message. Whether it be reviewing my students’ beliefs and faith knowledge, introducing them to different aspects of their faith, or preparing them for sacraments, these moments have been the most enjoyable and fulfilling part of my teaching career.”
St. Bernadette School, Silver Spring – Theodore Ewanciw holds an Advanced Certificate with a major in Administration from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, Maryland and a Master of Management with a major in Management from University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, Maryland. Mr. Ewanciw also holds a Bachelor of Science with a major in Journalism from University of Maryland, College Park. He has served as assistant principal at St. Bernadette School since 2007. “Being Catholic has taught me to be inclusive, such as to welcome strangers and newcomers into our school, even if they are not Catholic. As a Catholic school leader, I am not afraid to help students, parents, teachers, and others walk the road with or to Christ, and I pray for the guidance to show each of them that no matter which path they choose, the road will be taken with Him. That is the blessing I get to witness every day at St. Bernadette School, and that is the spirit that will accompany me on my journey as principal.”
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