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Jim Goodness |
For Release : |
Daniels Named New Principal of Academy of Saint Therese
The Academy of Saint Therese, Cresskill, will welcome one of its own as principal beginning July 1, 2012. Following an extensive search process, Rev. Samuel Citero, O. Carm., pastor of Saint Therese of Lisieux Parish and the Academy, has named current first-grade teacher Dawn Daniels as new principal.
Mrs. Daniels has taught at the Academy for nine years, and in that time has enjoyed the respect and admiration of the parent community, the friendship and esteem of her colleagues and the trust and love of her students. Her approach to teaching and learning has been characterized by creativity and innovation, compassionate and firm discipline and high expectations for herself and her students.
Mrs. Daniels earned her BS in elementary education, with a minor in economics, from Emmanuel College, Boston, magna cum laude. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Thomas Edison State College, Trenton and possesses New Jersey certifications as teacher, principal and supervisor. Mrs. Daniels also holds certification as a teacher of religion at the doctrinal level granted by the Archdiocese of Newark. Her studies have merited her membership in the prestigious international honor society for education, Kappa Delta Pi.
Mrs. Daniels, who also taught upper grades mathematics at Corpus Christi School, Hasbrouck Heights, serves as executive board member at St. Therese and has contributed to school committees enhancing curriculum development, professional opportunities for faculty, and early childhood education.
Upon her appointment Mrs. Daniels expressed “delight and appreciation for the honor to serve the academy community as its leader.” She pledged to nurture the faith-filled community in the context of a school culture that “prizes the gifts, value and uniqueness of every student, teacher, staff member, parent and friend of the Academy of Saint Therese.”
Sister Helene Byrne, MFIC, retiring principal, expressed her delight at the appointment of Mrs. Daniels. “I am confident that she will provide visionary leadership to the Academy community not only due to her professional competence and personal beliefs but more especially because of her trust in the providence and faithfulness of God.”
Rev. Samuel Citero, O. Carm., on announcing the appointment, noted “the strong sense of purpose, creative talent and gritty determination” that characterizes Mrs. Daniels. He looks forward to working with her and “sharing a vision for the academy steeped in the mission and philosophy of the Catholic school.”
The search committee for the principal of the academy consisted of Brother Ralph Darmento, F.S.C., deputy superintendent of schools (chair); Jeanne Marie Durkin, parent representative; Chris Hall, advisory board representative; James Newman, principal of Saint Joseph Academy, Bogota; Anne Marie Ryan, representing the faculty and staff; and Stanley Zak, parish representative. The committee reviewed the resumes and applications of nearly 40 candidates, selected six candidates for interviews and recommended four finalists to Rev. Samuel Citero.
The Academy of Saint Therese of Lisieux, Cresskill, has been providing quality education centered on Catholic faith and Carmelite charism since 1957 as an integral element and authentic participant in the evangelizing mission of the Church and St. Therese of Lisieux Parish. Serving children in grades Pre-K through Grade 8, the Academy of Saint Therese is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2009, the Archdiocese of Newark designated St. Therese as an Academy for its “atmosphere where academic rigor and right relationships are clearly evident and students strive for excellence, built up one another through encouragement and challenge, and where all achieve as a result of the dynamic teaching/learning interaction.”
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