Principal among best in nation

As Cathleen Carney, principal, makes her morning circuit past the classrooms at St. Jude's School in Wynantskill, teachers smile and volunteers talk with her. Younger students hug her, and older ones stop to chat.

It's obvious that this principal is truly a "pal" to the 210 students and staff at St. Jude's -- and that's just the way she wants it.

In recognition of her dedication, the National Catholic Educational Association has named her a Regional Distinguished Principal for 2006. On April 18, she will be honored with other principals from across the U.S. at the group's national convention in Atlanta.

Achievements

Miss Carney has 32 years of experience in Catholic education, including 12 as a principal and ten as assistant superintendent of diocesan schools.

In four years at St. Jude's, she, the staff, parents, nearby parishes and the town's business community have more than doubled the enrollment.

When she arrived, the student body was under 100. She decided that the only way to save the school was to initiate a marketing and "name recognition" campaign to acquaint people with what St. Jude's could offer and elicit support to keep it going.

Getting there

She devised a plan and put it in front of parents, local parishes and the business community.

"I promised them all that I would lead them if they would follow," she told The Evangelist. "I had a vision of what the school needed. Parents, teachers and board members alike all had to take ownership of the school in order for it to be successful."

She walked from one business to another, asking for help. "I wanted them to know me and to know what I wanted to do," she said. "We initiated an advertising and marketing program that was very successful. We even used local billboards. It gave us the name recognition and community identity we wanted."

Curriculum

Assessing the state of the school, Miss Carney said, "Our curriculum is solid, and our students are excelling in special areas that include Spanish, technology, music, the arts and sports.

"I believe that this is because we take our programs out of the school environment and into the community. This gives our students unique learning opportunities."

In addition, she has enhanced the after-school program, adding "mini-mesters" that include a technical club, a Russian language course and scholarship classes for high school.

Sharing her national recognition, Miss Carney said, "I can't say enough about the teachers here. They rose to this, every single one of them. They are dedicated to this school and our students, and to providing a quality education for them. It's obvious that each one of them loves being here."

What it's about

Miss Carney called St. Jude's School "a unique place. Wynantskill is very family-oriented, and that orientation spills over into the atmosphere at the school. The parents have been absolutely wonderful. We have many dedicated volunteers who make this all work.

"I personally love each and every one of these children. [The honor is] not about me; it's really about this school; it's all about the children."

("Receiving national recognition speaks to the level of [Cathleen Carney's] professionalism," noted Sister Jane Herb, IHM, superintendent of Albany diocesan schools, in a letter of nomination to the NCEA. "She deserves this tribute for her dedication to the spiritual and educational growth of her children.")

(3/30/06) [[In-content Ad]]