At the end of the 2017-2018 academic year, five elementary schools in the Diocese bid farewell to the principals who are entering a new phase in their lives – retirement. The June 29 issue of The Monitor highlighted the history and hard work of retiring principals William Belluzzi of Holy Cross School, Rumson, and Donald Costantino of Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton. This issue features the three administrators from Burlington and Ocean Counties.

Medford administrator proud to help students do their best

By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

“We plan, God laughs.” That’s the phrase Nina Hoover referred to as she thought back to eight years ago and her arrival as principal of St. Mary of the Lakes School, Medford.

“Becoming principal of St. Mary’s wasn’t even on my radar,” she said, remembering how she had just retired after 35 years working with the public school system in Burlington County, where she was a teacher, director of curriculum and superintendent of schools. But then she read a parish bulletin advertisement that piqued her interest in applying for the position.

“I said, ‘OK, God, what are you telling me now?’” she recalled. “I applied, not thinking I’d get an interview. And now, here I am.”

As Hoover retires once again, this time as principal of the Catholic pre-K-through-eighth-grade school, Hoover spoke fondly of some of the highlights, including how proud she is of the academic programs she instituted, including a cohesive K-8 writing program.

“We adopted a writing program that is consistent across the board, allowing teachers to see the natural progression of students’ writing skills,” she said, then added that another accomplishment she is proud of was beginning a full-day pre-K program. 

Hoover, who is a member of Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle, also acknowledged the staff of St. Mary of the Lakes School and the support she received from Msgr. James H. Dubell, former pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, and Father Daniel F. Swift, current pastor.

“They are both so dedicated to Catholic education and see that it continues to grow and thrive,” she said.

She also noted the professional relationship she developed with leadership in the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools, namely Dr. Judith Caviston, former superintendent, and current superintendent, JoAnn Tier.

“They were both so welcoming and demonstrated effective leadership. The leadership in our Office of Catholic Schools is second to none,” she said. “They practice their faith and demonstrate their faith extraordinarily well.”

In retirement, Hoover is looking forward to having more time to spend with her mother and family and hopes to volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem, which is an advocate appointed by the court to investigate solutions that would assist children involved in divorce and custody cases. However, after more than 40 years in education, she admitted that what she will miss most is the daily interaction with students.

“No matter how bad your day may be going, a hug from a child saying, ‘I love you, Mrs. Hoover,’ turns your whole day around,” she said. Of the St. Mary of the Lakes School, she said she will especially remember the “sense of community that is so welcoming.”

“It’s a place where you get a sense that everyone is working together and of belonging to a family,” she said. “Here, everyone is important, and we do our best to help everyone grow and be the best person they can be.”