Arlington, Va.—Patricia Devanney, principal of St. Anthony School in Winsted, Conn., will receive the 2012 Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
Devanney will be honored at an awards ceremony during the association's annual convention April 11–13 in Boston, Mass.
As part of her educational philosophy, Devanney recognizes the importance of balancing leadership and management duties to be an effective principal.
During her 10-year tenure as principal at St. Anthony School, Devanney has built a new science laboratory and transformed a small room into a chapel. She makes a point of greeting students every morning and spending time in the classroom observing students and teachers. She has developed professional learning communities at the school in which faculty share classroom successes.
"She is a leader and, most of all, a Catholic leader," said Sister Maureen Dorr, a former principal. "She is dedicated to the values of Catholic education because Pat lives out these values in her life and in her ministry."
Devanney is one of 11 principals nationwide who have earned NCEA's top award for principals this year. The following will also be honored:
- John Bennett, St. Aloysius Catholic School, Baton Rouge, La.
- Terry Chapman, Our Lady of the Visitation School, Cincinnati, Ohio
- William Geasor, Salve Regina Academy, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Kimberly Hermsen, Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School, Dubuque, Iowa
- Mary Kilar, St. John the Baptist School, Whitewater, Wis.
- Sheila Martinez, Our Lady of Victory School, Washington, D.C.
- Nancy Matteo, St. Andrew School, Newtown, Pa.
- Kathleen Murphy, Corpus Christi School, Piedmont, Calif.
- Suzette Williams, Catholic School of St. Eugene, Oklahoma, Okla.
- Kathleen Wollan, Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School, St. Paul, Minn.
"Our award winners demonstrate inspirational leadership, dedication to academic excellence and a strong commitment to offering their communities quality, faith-based education," said Christian Brother Robert Bimonte, executive director of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. "These distinguished principals embody the very best of Catholic education in this country."
About the Convention
NCEA's annual convention—which draws educators, administrators, catechists, pastors and parents from throughout the nation—will offer informative sessions, liturgies and networking opportunities. The event at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center will also feature an exhibition of educational products and services from more than 300 companies.
Keynote speakers will include Father Ron Rolheiser, president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and Dr. Mary McDonald, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Memphis, Tenn.
The convocation of the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors and the annual meeting of the Catholic Library Association will take place concurrently with the NCEA convention.
NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA's members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.
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