MHC Academy is stepping up to the new school year with a change in leadership as Sr. Marisa De Rose, FMA assumes the role of principal on July 1. A native of Elizabeth, Sr. Marisa attended St. Anthony School, which is also run by the Salesian Sisters. She later attended Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, secured her BA in English from Kean University, and earned her Masters in Administration from Seton Hall University.
Sr. Marisa brings with her a wealth of experience as a principal, having previously led St. Anthony School of Hawthorne for 8 years, Immaculata High School in Marrero, LA for 1 year to facilitate a restructuring of the facility after Hurricane Katrina, and St. Theresa School of Kenilworth, NJ for 7 years. More recently, she was the leading coordinator in the development of the K-12 English Language Arts and Math curriculum for the Diocese of Paterson in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame.
Sr. Marisa was also an integral contributor to the STEM Curriculum recently developed for use in the Diocesan schools, a curriculum she later implemented at St. Anthony School, readying the school for national accreditation by AdvancEd as a STEM school. She has served on committees for Teacher Evaluation, Science Curriculum, Student Evaluation, Faith Formation, and Technology, as well as sitting on Search Committees for new school administrators.
In 2014, Sr. Marisa received the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Distinguished Principal Award, one of 12 awards given to honorees chosen from a field of over 6,000 Catholic elementary school principals in the country. The award required Diocesan recommendation, as well as recommendations from the Pastor, teachers and parents. She was also the recipient of an award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). This Association recognizes one public principal in each State, as well as 5 Private School Principals in the nation. Sr. Marisa was one of 3 Catholic School principals honored.
When asked about the transition to leadership at Mary Help of Christians Academy, Sr. Marisa said, “My hope for Mary Help is that it will grow and continue to provide programs, opportunities, and an environment where young women are challenged to be exceptional scholars and athletes, faith-filled members of their Churches, and informed citizens committed to making a positive difference in our society. One of the things that makes Mary Help unique is its ability to maintain a small family environment where every young woman is known, respected, valued, and challenged, while offering a vast array of course offerings often found only in larger schools. We recognize that in our classrooms and on our campus, we have before our eyes our future doctors, lawyers, engineers, businesswomen, artists and entrepreneurs. Our future is bright because the potential of our young women is unlimited!”
Sr. Marisa was also an integral contributor to the STEM Curriculum recently developed for use in the Diocesan schools, a curriculum she later implemented at St. Anthony School, readying the school for national accreditation by AdvancEd as a STEM school. She has served on committees for Teacher Evaluation, Science Curriculum, Student Evaluation, Faith Formation, and Technology, as well as sitting on Search Committees for new school administrators.
In 2014, Sr. Marisa received the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Distinguished Principal Award, one of 12 awards given to honorees chosen from a field of over 6,000 Catholic elementary school principals in the country. The award required Diocesan recommendation, as well as recommendations from the Pastor, teachers and parents. She was also the recipient of an award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). This Association recognizes one public principal in each State, as well as 5 Private School Principals in the nation. Sr. Marisa was one of 3 Catholic School principals honored.
When asked about the transition to leadership at Mary Help of Christians Academy, Sr. Marisa said, “My hope for Mary Help is that it will grow and continue to provide programs, opportunities, and an environment where young women are challenged to be exceptional scholars and athletes, faith-filled members of their Churches, and informed citizens committed to making a positive difference in our society. One of the things that makes Mary Help unique is its ability to maintain a small family environment where every young woman is known, respected, valued, and challenged, while offering a vast array of course offerings often found only in larger schools. We recognize that in our classrooms and on our campus, we have before our eyes our future doctors, lawyers, engineers, businesswomen, artists and entrepreneurs. Our future is bright because the potential of our young women is unlimited!”