New Catholic school administrators step into the 2025-26 school year
By Elizabeth Landry
Staff writer
Six Catholic schools in the Diocese of Syracuse have welcomed new leadership this academic year. The Catholic Sun conducted Q&A-style correspondence with the new principals and assistant principals to introduce them to our community members. While some are familiar faces who previously held different positions within the Catholic school community, others are brand-new to Catholic education. Here is the list of new Catholic school administrators for the 2025-26 school year, along with excerpts from our Q&A.
St. Patrick’s School, Oneida
Principal Kelli Zielinski has 19 years of classroom experience, including three years as a teacher leader at St. Patrick’s. She holds a Master of Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University and her work “has focused on using student data to inform curriculum, mentoring colleagues, and fostering relationships that nurture students in mind, body, and spirit through servant leadership rooted in Gospel values.”
CS: What are you most excited about with the upcoming school year?
KZ: I am most excited about continuing to develop disciples of Jesus, building strong relationships with our community, and fostering ongoing academic excellence. We will do amazing things this year!
CS: What attracted you to working at a Catholic school?
KZ: Having been in a public school for 16 years, I always felt something was missing. I found what was missing after first [setting] foot into a Catholic school. Being an educator in a Catholic school allowed me to nurture students’ spiritual and moral development along with their academic development. Catholic schools allow a more holistic approach to educating children and I love that!
Bishop Ludden-Grimes Junior-Senior High School, Syracuse
Similar to Zielinski, Principal Steve Shoults spent many years teaching in public school. After he retired from over 30 years of teaching physical education at public school, he found that God was calling him back to involvement in education, this time at Bishop Ludden (now Bishop Ludden-Grimes), sharing that “the moment I walked in the doors, I could feel God’s presence. I knew he was guiding me here for a reason.” Shoults has also coached numerous sports during his career.
CS: What are you most excited about with the upcoming school year?
SS: There are numerous reasons why I am excited about the upcoming year. There is a lot of excitement surrounding Bishop Ludden-Grimes. We are taking the best of two schools and bringing them together as one family. We are excited to see what God is going to do with our students, our staff, and our families. We are all going to grow and improve. We are all excited to get started!
CS: What would you like the students to know about you as their principal?
SS: My hope is that the students see how much the staff and I love the Lord. I hope they see us find joy in all circumstances. I hope they consider me a brother in Christ more than a principal. We are all in this together and God needs warriors. I hope they see me as a warrior for the Lord. Lastly, I hope they see me as a servant leader, the way Christ wants us to lead.
St. John the Evangelist School, Binghamton
Principal Julie LaMuraglia is no stranger to St. John the Evangelist school, as she served as its principal nine years ago. Following several years as an administrator and reading specialist at public elementary schools, working with children in poverty in urban and rural communities, she said she was “delighted that this joyful, stellarly academic, spiritual family accepted me back into its fold.”
CS: What are you most excited about with the upcoming school year?
JL: I am excited to work with the teachers, students, families, fellow administrators, and Father Jim (Serowik) to make St. John’s a positive experience for all. Everyone is here for the children, and all of us are committed to leaving no stone unturned when it comes to doing what is best for each young soul. We want to ensure that every child has the tools to live a life guided by God’s words and the knowledge to reach their dreams.
CS: What would you like the students to know about you as their principal?
JL: I want each student to know that I will work hard to get to know who they are and what matters to them. I am here to show them they are valued and help them find the joy and love in their hearts.
Immaculate Conception Elementary School, Fayetteville
The first to serve Immaculate Conception in this newly-created position, Assistant Principal Erin Zacholl has over 30 years of professional experience in leadership, training and human resources management, in addition to years of marketing and development success, as well as writing opportunities. Reflecting on her career so far, she shared that “my professional journeys and areas of expertise have helped me grow my path in Catholic schools management.”
CS: What attracted you to working at a Catholic school?
EZ: I think that the idea of working at a Catholic School first came to me when my sons were very young and first enrolled in Catholic school. As an active parent volunteer for many years, I would leave our school to go back to other work responsibilities and miss the time I was contributing to our school. What a blessing it’s been for me to work here!
CS: What would you like the students to know about you as their assistant principal?
EZ: What I hope the students will know about me is that working at our school is the most rewarding of my career. There is so much joy inside Catholic schools and it is wonderful for me to be there alongside them everyday.
Seton Catholic Central, Binghamton
Principal Peter Stewart also spent many years working in education in public schools. Serving a total of 34 years in his career so far, 25 of those years have been in the role of principal, and three years have been spent as an education consultant working in restorative practices. Stewart has also served as a director of special education. He grew up in the Bronx and is a “HUGE” Yankees fan.
CS: What are you most excited about with the upcoming school year?
PS: I’m looking forward to meeting my new students, their families and Seton teachers.
CS: What attracted you to working at a Catholic school?
PS: After retiring from 34 years in public education, this opportunity came to me as a calling to share my faith and experiences with a new group of students and their families as they develop into future leaders.
Assistant Principal Danea Hurd recently served for two and a half years as an associate principal at Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School, and was previously a high school mathematics instructor for over 20 years. She shared that in addition to her career in education, “I’ve also been blessed to serve the Church as director of Faith Formation and Children’s Ministry at St. Anthony of Padua, where I am an active parishioner and a new member of their Parish Council.”
CS: What are you most excited about with the upcoming school year?
DH: In this new role, I look forward to partnering with students, families, and staff to strengthen our shared mission of academic excellence, faith, and community.
CS: What would you like the students to know about you as their assistant principal?
DH: I want my students and families to know that I am welcoming and supportive, dedicated to helping them grow in knowledge, character, and faith.
Trinity Catholic School, Oswego
Principal Valerie Vespe has worked in Catholic education for over 30 years, first as a teacher and then unexpectedly stepping into administration eight years ago. Most recently, she served at Our Lady of Malibu Parish in Southern California as director of development and business operations. She shared that, “Every role I’ve had has deepened my love for Catholic schools and the communities they serve.”
CS: What attracted you to working at a Catholic school?
VV: What drew me in, and has kept me here all these years, is the gift of being able to share the joy of knowing Christ. Our faith, through Jesus, the Blessed Mother, the saints, and the sacraments, offers a freedom and happiness that nothing else can. I want students to know that God is truly good, that He loves them deeply, and that with Him, all things are possible.
CS: What would you like the students to know about you as their principal?
VV: I’d love for students to know that my energy and joy really come from God’s grace. I believe each one of them is uniquely created by God with gifts meant to be shared. My hope is that they’ll always see me as approachable, encouraging, and someone who wants to help them grow not just in academics, but in their faith and confidence, too.
Favorite scripture and why?
Ms. Zielinski’s favorite scripture is Matthew 7:12: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. “This is my favorite scripture because it provides a foundation for how I choose to live my life. As a leader, it also reinforces my commitment to fostering a positive and respectful school environment.”
Mr. Schoults has many favorite scripture verses. “Colossians 3:23 is a favorite of mine. Philippians 4:13 is another. John 3:16-17 is a constant reminder of God’s ultimate love for us. I say Psalm 23 every day. And I am thankful for the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13. I also pray Psalm 51:18: Build up the walls of Zion … It took a few faithful servants to build up Jerusalem and we can do the same here with God’s blessing. I think if you read all these verses, you will see why I love them so much and why I can’t choose just one.”
Ms. LaMuraglia also found it difficult to choose just one favorite scripture passage, but “one that is speaking powerfully to me right now is Romans IV: 7: Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Ms. Zacholl said that one of her favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:13, often quoted as I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. “This is a verse about God providing the strength to fulfill His purposes and minister to others through all of us. As I embark on this new chapter as a school leader, I take great comfort in knowing that I can draw strength and inspiration from my faith.”
Mr. Stewart highlighted John 3:16 as his favorite scripture: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. “It promises us that we have to believe in Him, and trust His word and guidance above all.”
Ms. Hurd chose Philippians 4:13 as a favorite scripture verse: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. “This passage is a constant reminder to me that with faith and God’s grace, we can face every challenge with courage and hope.”
Ms. Vespe shared that one of her favorite verses is Matthew 19:26: With God all things are possible. “It reminds me that no matter what challenges come our way, God’s love and grace give us the strength to move forward; and often, He surprises us with joy we never expected.”
