Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, begins the 2018-2019 school year with new leadership. Mary Liz Ivins, ND’s principal for 17 years, will now assume the role of president, following the retirement of Barry E. Breen, and Joanna Barlow, former vice principal for curriculum and instruction as the our new principal.
JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Trenton, said of the appointments, “We are assured a continuity of forward movement from two strong, talented and dedicated leaders who have been thoroughly steeped in the vision and culture of Notre Dame High School.”
Lisa Lenihan, the new assistant principal for curriculum and instruction, is replacing Joanna Barlow. For the past year, Lenihan served as the school’s English Department chairperson. In addition to 18 years of teaching experience, she worked as an adjunct professor at The College of New Jersey, Ewing, where she supervised student teachers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education with a concentration in English from the University of Scranton and a master of arts degree in educational administration from Rider University, Lawrenceville.
Filling the role of vice principal for student life left vacant with the retirement of Joan Pilkington, is Eleanor MacIsaac who brings 17 years of experience as an assistant principal at St. Rose High School, Belmar. Pilkington holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and supervision from Monmouth University, West Long Branch, and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and American history from Boston College.
Notre Dame also welcomes six new faculty members, Dr. Duane Hoch and Claudia Carle join the Science department. Hoch earned a doctorate in biochemistry/biotechnology from Washington State University and holds a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and biology from Long Island University. He will teach biology, anatomy and physiology and chemistry. Carle is a registered nurse, receiving a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Ewing. She will teach anatomy and physiology and exercise physiology.
Mary Komjathy joins the math department. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in education with emphasis in mathematics from Rider University, Lawrenceville. Komjathy previously taught in the Hamilton Township School District and tutored Notre Dame students in mathematics studies. She will teach Algebra 1 and 2.
Dr. Tenisha Howard will teach Notre Dame’s new social studies elective, Contemporary Issues in Minority America. Dr. Howard earned a doctorate in African American/African Studies from Michigan State University, a master of arts degree in Africana studies from Cornell University, N.Y., and a bachelor’s degree in in Africana Studies and Women Gender Studies from Rutgers University.
Cynthia Sabogal and Lisette Weiland join the World Language Department. Sabogal holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and communications from Rutgers University. She will teach Spanish 1 and honors conversational Spanish. Weiland will teach Notre Dame’s new American Sign Language Course and moderate the American Sign Language Club. She attended The College of New Jersey, Ewing, and majored in deaf education and sociology. She is a registered interpreter of the deaf.
Notre Dame returns to the 2018-2019 school year welcoming change, honoring tradition, and embracing the future. New leadership and faculty build upon a solid foundation laid by their predecessors. God has a plan and we are blessed to be e to carry out his plan together.