Kathryn A. Chesnut, new principal of St. Charles Borromeo School, Cinnaminson, is a lifelong advocate of Catholic schooling.
Herself a product of Catholic elementary and high school, and a graduate of Seton Hall University, Chesnut’s travels around the country and the world led her back to the Diocese of Trenton and made her appreciate the value of Catholic education for both parents and children.
Chesnut’s husband Dan, an Army officer, was assigned to a number of places around the world in his eight years of service. Kathryn accompanied him, though continued her involvement in the education field.
While her husband was stationed in Germany, she taught fourth grade at a Department of Defense school in the Hanan Military Community; during a few years in the Fayetteville, N.C. area, she served as a second grade teacher in a public school while earning her master’s degree in education from that state’s Campbell University.
Chesnut’s teaching career was put on hold for a few years while she raised daughters Alyssa and Hilary (now 26 and 21 respectively), then she re-entered the education field as a kindergarten teacher in St. Aloysius School, Jackson, her first Catholic school position.
“I immediately found a home,” she recalled in an interview with The Monitor. “I enjoyed a level of collegiality and community that I had not experienced in my professional career.”
“It is my belief that a Catholic education is a gift your child will cherish long after most gifts have been forgotten”
From that time in her career to the present, Chesnut has remained connected to and an advocate for Catholic education. She served as a third grade Catholic school teacher in Santa Ana, Calif., then returned to New Jersey and began work in the Diocese of Camden. For the next 11 years, Chesnut served as an elementary school principal at three Catholic schools in that diocese (St. Francis of Assisi Regional School, Vineland; St. Lawrence Regional School, Lindenwold; and Bishop Guilfoyle Regional Catholic School, Carney’s Point).
Chesnut expressed admiration for the traditions and values instilled in Catholic schools. “They [Catholic schools] have long been known for their high academic standards, discipline, safety and community. This educational foundation is still paramount to young families,” Chesnut explained.
The mother, teacher and administrator has lived every aspect of the educational process, which she feels is embodied in Catholic schooling.
“The mission of our schools is to partner with parents in the full formation of their children. Our goal is to nurture the spiritual, academic and social needs of each individual child based on the Good News of Jesus Christ, while preparing them to carry out their faith as successful, accomplished adults.” Chesnut summarized her philosophy simply. “It is my belief that a Catholic education is a gift your child will cherish long after most gifts have been forgotten,” the educator said.
Chesnut and husband Dan, married for 29 years, are members of Holy Family Parish in the Gloucester County town of Sewell, where she currently resides. “I am very happy returning to the Diocese of Trenton and continuing my vocation at St. Charles Borromeo School,” Chesnut declared.
