Ward returns home to St. Catherine of Siena

Her family has a long legacy with St. Catherine. She is a graduate (1986) as are her sister and father, and her grandparents helped build the church. Ward said her grandmother also started the lunch program at the school many years ago.
    

“I am very humbled and honored to be selected as principal of St. Catherine of Siena School and to join this wonderful community dedicated to academic excellence,” Ward said. “I’m thrilled to be home.”
    

For almost 20 years, the 1990 St. Mary’s Dominican High School graduate has lived in California and taught fourth grade (all subjects) and eighth-grade language arts, history and religion for seven years. She was vice principal for five years, then principal for the last eight years at St. Isidore Catholic School in Danville in the Diocese of Oakland. Like St. Catherine, St. Isidore was the largest Catholic school in the diocese and is known for academic excellence and has a similar-sized faculty.  
    

During her tenure there, Ward implemented small-group instruction, piloted new curricula, departmentalized the middle school, created a makerspace (for technology), revamped the emergency preparedness plan, developed a variety of middle school enrichment classes and provided professional development for faculty and staff.

 

Her large projects included remodeling the entire school over three summers, creating a safety committee and developing a marketing team to increase school enrollment. She also served on the diocesan level through the school accreditation process, was a member of professional development  and staff development committees and was a mentor for new teachers and principals. She has three children.
    

Ward earned her bachelor of arts and science with a concentration in behavior science from Southeastern Louisiana University and a master’s of education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction from Dominican University of California. 
     

“My goal is to fully support our students, teachers, faculty, staff and families,” she said. “Together, we will develop very strong partnerships to provide a rigorous academic experience while continuing the traditions for which St. Catherine of Siena School is known.  Most importantly, together we can lead our children to a deeply personal relationship with Jesus so that they know they are loved and valued.  Teaching the Gospel values through instruction and example are two pillars I want to foster in our school community.”
    

She believes Catholic education teaches the whole child. Children not only get a great academic foundation but are nurtured emotionally and spiritually. 
    

“Catholic education gives children the foundation that will carry them through whatever life may bring, the highs and lows, Ward said. “Through a Catholic education children grow into the people whom God wants them to become. It is a true gift that lasts a lifetime.”