January 29, 2025 at 11:40 a.m.
LEADING BY FAITH
Students squeal and shoes squeak. A teacher’s gentle tone coaxes students as their pencils scribble across the page. It’s the typical sights and sounds of a normal day at St. Clement’s School in Saratoga Springs.
Anna Farone, principal, pops in and out of classrooms as students go about their work. Inside the kindergarten room, a student runs up to Farone with a plastic plate from the play kitchen filled with goodies.
“Is this salami?” Farone asks. The girl nods with excitement and Farone pretends to take a delicious bite.
It’s these moments, the breaks with students outside the principal’s office — almost all of whom she knows by name — that bring Farone great joy. It’s about finding the balance between being an administrator and being there for the fun moments with her students; that’s what makes her job so enjoyable.
“You’re not with them in a classroom, so it’s fun to do things with a few of them at a time,” she said. “I like those moments.”
It’s no shock then that Farone, who attended St. Clement’s and taught at the school for years, would be honored for her work with this year’s The Bishop of Albany Distinguished Administrator Award. The award “recognizes an administrator who promotes Catholic education, seeking to foster a Christian community of love in which God’s truth and life are integrated into the entire curriculum and life of a school community. The administrators have demonstrated skilled leadership in inviting the church community, teachers and parents to share in this mission.”
“It’s very humbling,” Farone said. “I’m quiet about it, but it’s nice, and I am honored.”
Farone and her fellow honorees celebrated Mass and received their awards on Friday, Jan. 24, during the Catholic Schools Week Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar. Father Robert Longobucco, diocesan Vicar General and Vicar for Faith Formation and Education, celebrated the liturgy, which took place before the beginning of Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 26-Feb. 1).
The award comes as no surprise to the people she works with.
“As the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Administrator Award, Anna exemplifies the very best of what it means to lead with vision, compassion and unwavering dedication,” said Teri Crowe, assistant principal at St. Clement’s School. “Anna has transformed our school into a place where spiritual growth and academic excellence go hand in hand. Her leadership reflects the values of our faith, fostering an environment where students not only learn but also develop strong moral character and a sense of purpose.
“She inspires teachers to strive for excellence, creates a nurturing environment for students to thrive, and ensures that our community remains united in faith and love.”
For six years, Farone taught as a mix of fifth-grade teacher and assistant principal to her friend and mentor, Jane E. Kromm, former principal of St. Clement’s for 15 years. When Kromm — who received this year’s St. John Neumann Award for Commitment to Catholic Education — stepped down in 2021, Farone took the reins.
Even today, Farone said Kromm is “just a phone call away,” though she’s found she doesn’t have to reach like she used to: “As the years have gone on, I’ve gotten more comfortable to not pick up the phone as much, but it’s nice to know there are people you can reach out to if you need to.”
Now behind the principal desk full-time, Farone said the experience has helped her create relationships with not just the students she had in her class, but the school as a whole.
“It’s really a wonderful feeling to be on the other side of the classroom,” she said. “It’s nice to establish those relationships with all of the students and the families. I appreciate that.”
Even before she started teaching, St. Clement’s was always a part of Farone’s life. Her family grew up in Saratoga next door to the school and church, which they attended weekly. Her father also attended St. Clement’s growing up, and her mother taught there for years.
“This is a special place in my heart,” Farone said.
As principal, Farone has made sure St. Clement’s is up-to-date in as many ways as possible. The school hallways have been freshly painted, the main old wooden doors are being upgraded to more secure metal ones, and security has been upgraded — with additional security cameras and a security guard on staff. The St. Clement’s curriculum was revamped as well, with upgraded reading, literacy and math programs.
Through it all, her faith has been a pillar in her life that she says “is always right there.”
“And being able to share that with children and with the families is always pretty special,” she said. “Before liturgy, we’ll go over and practice liturgy so they know what to do, and whether it’s just teaching them why they’re doing what they’re doing, or one of the students coming up to me before morning prayer and saying, ‘Ms. Farone, will you pray for so and so?’... (Faith) is who we are, and that’s an important piece — it’s the most important piece.”
Added Farone: “I talk a lot of times to the kids: it’s not just your family, we’re a family too. We’re a family at St. Clement’s. It’s special.”
MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK:
Friend and Mentor: https://evangelist.org/news/2025/jan/29/a-friend-and-mentor/
A Loved Place: https://evangelist.org/news/2025/jan/29/a-loved-place/
The Grand Endeavor of Catholic Education: https://evangelist.org/news/2025/jan/29/the-grand-endeavor-that-is-catholic-education/
CSW Awards, Years of Service: http://evangelist.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/2025/jan/29/catholic-schools-week-awards/
A Creative Classroom: https://evangelist.org/news/2025/jan/29/a-creative-classroom/
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