SCRANTON – As the new school year begins, three Catholic schools in the Diocese of Scranton are welcoming new principals.
Kathy Maguire will serve as principal of All Saints Academy in Scranton, Jason Schlingman has taken the helm at Holy Family Academy in Hazleton, and Michael Catrillo has become principal of Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School in East Stroudsburg.
While their paths to Catholic school leadership are different, the three new principals share a common desire to place students at the center of their work while strengthening the faith and academics in their buildings.
For Catrillo, becoming a Catholic school principal is a dream that came unexpectedly after five years of retirement.
A veteran educator entering his 40th year in education, Catrillo spent much of his career in public education, most recently serving as principal of East Stroudsburg High School South. He retired in 2021 and spent the next several years traveling with his wife.
In June, during a conversation with his parish priest, Father Brian J.T. Clarke of Saint Matthew Parish, Catrillo casually mentioned that he had always wanted to lead a Catholic school.
When Father Clarke asked if he was interested in Notre Dame, Catrillo said he felt the Holy Spirit urging him to take the opportunity.
“I want to do this to continue my work with teachers and young people and be able to share my faith with them,” he said.
Catrillo is particularly looking forward to the smaller school environment at Notre Dame, where he hopes to know students and staff personally – greeting students outside, visiting classrooms and talking with them in the cafeteria.
He also plans to make prayer a more visible part of daily life at the school, leading morning and afternoon prayer and utilizing a simple message he hopes students will carry with them: “Pray on it, pray over it, pray through it.”
His goals also include increasing student engagement in the classroom, providing additional help for struggling students and strengthening relationships with families.
Catrillo currently serves as president of the East Stroudsburg School Board and as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus at Saint Matthew Parish.
At Holy Family Academy, Schlingman brings 24 years of experience in education and leadership, including time in both Catholic and public schools.
“Returning to Catholic education was more than a career decision,” Schlingman said. “It felt like coming home to an environment where education is about more than academics.”
He hopes to build upon Holy Family Academy’s family-centered atmosphere while creating a school where students are excited to learn, teachers feel supported and families know they are genuine partners in their children’s education.
His vision extends beyond the classroom. Schlingman hopes to grow enrollment and create new opportunities for students through sports, clubs and extracurricular activities.
Most importantly, he wants the entire school community to develop a renewed sense of pride.
“I want people to be excited about coming to school, excited about what we are building, and proud to say, ‘This is my school,’” he said.
Schlingman also brings a personal appreciation for perseverance and teamwork to his new role. A graduate of King’s College, he was an All-American wrestler and is on the college’s Sports Wall of Fame. He credits wrestling with teaching him lessons in discipline, perseverance and never giving up – lessons that continue to influence his leadership today.
At All Saints Academy, Maguire brings more than two decades of experience in education and a commitment to lifelong learning. She has earned two master’s degrees and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree.
As her career developed, Maguire said she increasingly felt drawn toward school leadership, particularly within the Diocese of Scranton.
“I am looking forward to meeting students and families. I am beyond excited to be a part of the All Saints Academy community,” she said.
For Maguire, her new job also represents a chance to give back to the Catholic educational community that played an important role in her own life. A graduate of Saint Paul’s School, she fondly remembers her experience as a Catholic school student as one that shaped who she has become.
“It was an incredible experience for me personally, academically and socially,” Maguire said. “I am thankful to be able to give back to the Catholic community within the Diocese of Scranton.”
As she begins her first year, Maguire hopes to foster an exceptional school environment where both students and staff can grow academically and spiritually.