St. Agnes Cathedral School names new principal

Posted

By Alex Costello

acostello@liherald.com

The replacement principal for St. Agnes Cathedral School has been chosen: Cecilia St. John, the current principal of St. Dominic’s Elementary School in Oyster Bay.

St. John has spent her professional life in Catholic Education, and was selected after a search that incorporated parents and teachers from St. Agnes Cathedral School.

“I’m thrilled beyond belief [to come to St. Agnes],” St. John said. “It’s a very lovely community. I grew up in East Rockaway/Lynbrook area, so it’s close to my home.”

St. John, who currently lives in East Rockaway, has spent the majority of her life in Catholic education. She has been the principal of St. Dominic’s for the last seven years. Prior to that, she spent 10years as an eighth grade Social Studies and ELA teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle in West Hempstead. Her career started about 20 years ago St. Anastasia School in Douglaston, Queens, where she taught fourth grade.

“I’m passionate about Catholic education,” she said. “I really believe in working in an environment where I can practice my faith. I don’t have to check it at the door. I can teach the gospel to the students.”

In addition to teaching, St. John is active in her parish, St. Raymond’s in East Rockaway, where she’s part of the Faith Formation and helps adults who are interested in converting to Catholicism.

As Sister Kathleen Carlin and Helen Newman leave, the co-principal model that was unique to them is leaving, too. St. John will be joined by assistant principal Brian Jensen, who has an MA in history and is a graduate of the School Building Leader Program of St. John’s University.

St. John said she’s excited to start at St. Agnes, but doesn’t plan on making any big changes.

“I think your first year, it’s look, listen and learn,” she said. “It’s a big community and a big school. I want to get to know the children and the parents. Each school as its own unique identity. So I want to learn the identity and continue the mission of the school.”