Diocesan schools welcome revised leadership, new assistant superintendent
By Erick Rommel
Head Staff Writer
Along with the changes that come with any new school year, the diocesan Office of Schools is adjusting to changes in its leadership structure.
Msgr. Michael J. Corona, executive director of the diocesan Department of Education, added the title of superintendent, replacing Dr. Thomas E. Hart, who resigned in September.
Msgr. Corona has a master’s degree in educational administration from Seton Hall University, South Orange, and a New Jersey State Certification as Superintendent of Schools.
Assisting the new superintendent is Dr. Frank X. Heelan, recently promoted to deputy superintendent. In his new position, Dr. Heelan will represent the superintendent at various meetings, have overall responsibility for the administration of the Catholic Schools Office, direct management of the educational programs for Catholic high schools and serve as liaison to the diocesan Home School Association.
Remaining as assistant superintendent overseeing the eastern regions of the diocese will be Dr. Nancy Gilroy.
Joining her as an assistant superintendent and overseeing the western regions of the diocese is Charity Sister Sheila Elizabeth Conley, who will also be responsible for curriculum development.
Born in Lawrence, Mass., Sister Sheila recently moved to Edison and St. Matthew the Apostle Parish. She arrived at her new position from the Diocese of Brooklyn, where she was associate superintendent of curriculum and staff development for 15 years. Prior to that, she served as a high school principal in Brooklyn, and a teacher in the dioceses of Hamilton, Bermuda; Trenton, and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
“I love learning, I love teaching and I love teaching teachers,” Sister Sheila exclaimed.“That is who I am.”
Sister Sheila received a bachelor of arts degree from Mt. St. Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she also received a senior diploma in education, which is the Canadian equivalent of a master’s degree. She also has a master of science degree in urban school administration and supervision from Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. In addition, Sister Sheila also experienced independent study in social studies at Oxford University and the University of Cambridge in England.
“I believe in my whole heart that Catholic schools are the hope of the future of the Church,” Sister Sheila declared. “The degree to which our teachers are well informed, faithfilled teachers, will make us stronger.”
She says education is more than a lesson plan, it’s an understanding of how the student receives that information as well. “Teaching and assessing it effectively go together,” Sister Sheila explains.“That’s really what teaching is – watching the learner and teaching based on their reaction.”
Adapting to that reaction is vital to the education process, Sister Sheila believes. “It all comes down to professional development and understanding the different educational philosophies. The more strategies we know, the more we help the children,” she said. “Collectively, we’re geniuses. The more we share our knowledge and ability, the better it is."
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law