BRIDGEPORT - The Office for Education of the Diocese of
Bridgeport has announced the appointment of two deputy superintendents
who will oversee the four groupings, or "clusters," of Catholic
schools in the diocese.
John Cook
will cover Clusters II and IV, ranging from Greenwich up to Danbury
and including Norwalk, Wilton, and Ridgefield. Sister Mary
Grace Walsh, A.S.C.J., will be in charge of schools in Cluster
I, taking in Stamford and Bridgeport; and Cluster III, which includes
Fairfield, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, and Trumbull.
In addition
to those duties, both deputies will work on topics across the
board and cooperate in their areas of expertise. Cook's specialty
is curriculum mapping and professional development. Sister Mary
Grace is already working on the curriculum map for religion with
the Office for Christian Formation, and on a leadership program
for principals at Sacred Heart University, and another for teachers
at Fairfield University.
"I am delighted
to welcome John and Sister Mary Grace to our office," says Dr.
Margaret Dames, superintendent of schools. "Our mission to enhance
and expand Catholic education in every corner of our diocese will
be enriched by the many gifts and talents they bear. With opening
day fast approaching, we've rolled up our sleeves and immersed
ourselves in work this summer!"
Mr.
John Cook
John Cook
grew up in Thomaston. He holds his bachelor of arts degree, cum
laude, with a major in Biology and Chemistry, from Saint Anselm
College, Manchester, NH. He received his master of science degree
in Elementary and Secondary Science Teaching at Central Connecticut
State University, and holds his sixth-year certification in Administration
from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.
He and his
wife, Marguerite, live in Watertown, and are members of Saint
Theresa Parish in Woodbury. Their two children attended Catholic
schools.
Cook taught
science to middle school and high school students in public schools,
and served as a principal. From 2002-04 he served on the State
Science Board, developing state science standards. Cook became
curriculum coordinator for Cooperative Educational Services in
2005. In that capacity he developed and coordinated administrative
leadership workshops, presented workshops to science teachers,
and worked directly with high school students on advanced science
experiments.
At Kolbe-Cathedral
High School in Bridgeport, Cook taught a workshop on creating
a positive classroom environment. He was impressed with the atmosphere
he found in the school, one he still is aware of every day in
his new position.
"These are
good people in the public schools, who care about the kids," Cook
says. "But people in Catholic education have a different mindset.
There's a bond here, through Our Lord; I can feel it. This is
not just a job to me. It's something I was meant to do. We're
all working together for our students."