Arlington, Va.—Sheila Martinez, principal of Our Lady of Victory School in Washington, D.C., will receive the 2012 Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
Martinez will be honored at an awards ceremony during the association's annual convention April 11–13 in Boston, Mass.
Under Martinez's tenure, Our Lady of Victory was named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2007. In describing her Catholic educational philosophy, Martinez said it is important for principals to embrace a vision for Catholic education and not regard faith as an adjunct to the school or their lives, but as the foundation and purpose.
"Mrs. Martinez rises to the top of my list of exceptional leaders," said Deacon Bert L'Homme, Archdiocese of Washington schools superintendent. "She is committed to the mission of Catholic education and supports this important work at a diocesan, school and classroom level."
Susan Spendido, principal of St. Patrick's School in Rockville, Md., said she relies on Martinez's "wisdom, her commitment, her willingness to serve others and her dependability."
Martinez 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
- Patricia Devanney, St. Anthony School, Winsted, Conn.
- 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.
- 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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