Education torch is passed

For years to come, Thomas Fitzgerald expects to open his books to find a number of hand-scrawled notes in a child's unsteady lettering. That's where he kept notes he received on visits to Albany diocesan Catholic schools as the assistant superintendent for administrative services.

"I tucked them in books to remember and to read again," he explained.

After seven years in his position and 44 in the field of education, he is retiring from the Albany diocesan Catholic Schools Office (CSO) this week. His successor is Roseanne DeFabio, who comes to the Diocese from the State Education Department, where she held the position of assistant commissioner for curriculum, instruction and assessment.

The two educators -- who were once co-workers at the State Ed Department -- talked with The Evangelist about Catholic schools.

'Rewarding' time

Mr. Fitzgerald described his time at the CSO as "fantastic -- some of the most challenging and rewarding years of my educational career."

During his tenure, he spearheaded a number of new and revised policies relating to the administration of the Catholic schools, including the phasing out of the Comprehensive School Review in favor of the Middle States Accreditation; the founding of the Catholic Leadership Institute, which has trained 22 new and returning administrators in the last five years; and the promotion of Catholic culture and identity within the school system.

He also developed a selection procedure for new principals and administrators, and directed a three-year speech program to teach children public speaking skills.

One of the major pleasures of the job, said Mr. Fitzgerald, a member of St. Clare's parish in Colonie, was "the opportunity to visit the schools and see the children learn in a Christian environment."

Successor

Mrs. DeFabio is no stranger to the Catholic schools. She worked at Saratoga Central Catholic High School for eight years as a teacher and principal.

Joining the Catholic Schools Office, she told The Evangelist, "was almost an invitation to go home again to something that I really believed. It's been 15 years since I've visited a Catholic school, and I look forward to just being there, watching [the children] work, hearing them pray together."

She hopes to carry on a tradition of "educating the whole child spiritually, morally and intellectually" while "keeping the high academic quality that the schools are noted for."

Goals

Mrs. DeFabio is also eager to continue the implementation of the Middle States Accreditation, which she is familiar with from her time at Spa Catholic in the mid-1980s.

She also wishes to improve early literacy education for the younger set -- a subject in which she says the Catholic schools have always been strong -- and enrich math and science instruction.

Finally, she wants to focus on "teachers improving their practice and becoming communities of learning" with one another.

Mrs. DeFabio, her husband and her now-adult children all attended Catholic schools. She noted that many changes occurred over that time period, and she expects more to occur.

"We've watched our parishes and schools change in the sense of moving from cities to suburbs," she noted. "Change is a good thing. It's an opportunity for us to examine our true goals and values, and ensure that we're accomplishing the best we can for our children. We have to work to make the best school system -- now."

Thomas Fitzgerald's retirement plans aren't quite set. He hopes to do some volunteer work for schools, but he is also keeping his eyes open for a new ministry within the Church. "I'll allow the Spirit to move me," he said.

(12/4/03) [[In-content Ad]]