By Tami S. Scott, associate editor
Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School, Bishop Ludden Jr/Sr High School and Seton Catholic Central High School each welcome a new principal for the 2024-25 academic school year, and an associate principal at Notre Dame, too.
The Sun reached out to each administrator with a few questions to help introduce them to our readers and give insight into who they are and what’s important to them. The following are excerpts from interview responses held via Zoom, phone and email.
Notre Dame Junior-Senior High School, Utica
Richard Hensel
Principal Richard Hensel is no stranger to Notre Dame — he is a Class of 2013 graduate, completed his college practicum hours and student teaching there, and worked as a faculty member for eight years. He then served two years as the associate principal before becoming the first alumnus of Notre Dame to be appointed principal.
“In many ways, I never left,” he said. “I just love the place.”
CS: What would you like the students to know about you as their principal?
RH: “I’d like them to know that they matter, and their voice is not lost on me. I always like to say that I identify, in many ways, in a unique way, with our students, because I remember sitting in the seats they’re sitting in. I wore the same uniform that they’re wearing. I walked the same halls. So I’d like them to know that not only is this a safe place to be and to learn, but that they’re truly cared for. They’re more than a statistic or number or a student in a classroom. They’re a person, they’re a child of God. We care for them, we love them and we want what’s best for them.”
CS: Favorite scripture?
RH: “I often think of the Storm on the Sea of Galilee (from Luke 8:22-25). It’s one of my favorite paintings … I even keep a little one in my office here. I always think, no matter what comes our way, that Christ is there and that he’s guiding the ship.”
Mr. Hensel earned a bachelor’s in English with a concentration in adolescent education and a minor in advanced writing from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, where he went on to obtain a master’s degree in adolescent education. He furthered his education at Canisius College in Buffalo where he earned a certificate of advanced study in education administration. He holds New York State certification in both English Language Arts Grades 7-12 as well as School Building Leadership.
Christine Lockridge
Contrary to Hensel, associate principal Christine Lockridge is a fresh face to Notre Dame, and although she didn’t attend Catholic schools growing up, “I really do wish that I had the opportunity to express my faith and also learn academics in the same space.”
Her top goals include supporting Mr. Hensel and the Board of Trustees as they work toward Vision 2029, the school’s five-year strategy, and building relationships with staff, students and their families.
CS: What would you like the students to know about you as their associate principal?
CL: “I already care [and] if they ever need prayer or need guidance, I’m here [to support them]. I have a firm but kind approach, so I will smile, I will crack a joke, but when it comes to discipline, that’s my job, right?” Outside of school, Lockridge loves spending time with her nephew, volunteers on community projects in Utica and Syracuse, and is involved with her church family and her sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho, which was founded in 1920 by seven African American women in Indianapolis, Indiana.
CS: Favorite scripture?
CL: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) She also reads the two verses before, which talk about being content under all circumstances.
Ms. Lockridge has over a decade of experience in K-12 education. She holds a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from D’Youville University, Buffalo. She is dually certified in general and special education and is currently working on a Ph.D. in leadership at Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina.
Bishop Ludden Junior-Senior High School
Mary Beth Fierro
As the Bishop Ludden principal, Mary Beth Fierro said, “The opportunity to lead an institution rooted in strong Catholic values and traditions is truly inspiring.
“Contributing to the spiritual, intellectual and moral development of young adults aligns with everything I believe in,” she added.
Fierro listed her top 5 goals for her first year as top administrator. Among them is to not only learn the rich traditions and history of the school but also the names of every student enrolled. “I am pretty good with names and think I can do it!” she said. “It is important that every child that attends any school feels seen and heard at all times.”
CS: What would you like the students to know about you as their principal?
MBF: “I want the students to know that I am someone they can come to if they need anything school related. I would like them to be comfortable enough to approach me, set up meetings, email me and in general know that I am an adult at the school that they can turn to.”
CS: Favorite scripture?
MBF: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10). “In essence, this verse encourages people to share their gifts with others in a spirit of service and gratitude. It’s a reminder that our abilities are not our own but a divine provision to be used for the betterment of the community. This is something that teachers and everyone who works in a school does each and every day. This is also something that we want to model and teach to our students.”
Ms. Fierro has been serving as the principal at Oswego Middle School since 2011 and was named New York State Middle School Principal of the Year in 2017. She has also served as director of data management, technology integration specialist, professional development specialist, and mathematics teacher for the Oswego City School District where she began her career. Ms. Fierro has also served as an adjunct professor in the Education Department at LeMoyne College. She is a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Parish (Minetto), having taught both First Communion and Confirmation formation classes.
Seton Catholic Central High School
Due to The Catholic Sun production schedule, we connected with Mr. Corrado after the publication deadline. We will circle back with a full conversation with him in an upcoming edition.
Ean Corrado, his wife Valerie, and their two children moved to Binghamton from New York City in 2023. His daughter attends Saint James School and the family is active parishioners of Saint James Church.
Mr. Corrado considers his ability to serve the students, families, professionals, clergy and partners of the Catholic Schools of Broome County (CSBC) community, as the next principal of Seton Catholic Central, to be his highest honor and a true blessing.
Mr. Corrado began his career in education as a high school social studies teacher in the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE). In 2008, he was selected to participate in the NYC Leadership Academy’s Aspiring Principals Fellowship Program through which he completed his graduate-level work in School Building Leadership. In 2009, Mr. Corrado transitioned to the role of NYCDOE high school assistant principal. In 2016, he embraced the role of NYCDOE high school principal. Mr. Corrado earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the City University of New York – Queens College, in history and secondary social studies education, graduating with undergraduate and graduate-level honors from both academic departments. He holds NYS Department of Education professional certificates in Secondary Education, School Building Leadership and School District Leadership.
Educational background
• Mr. Hensel earned a bachelor’s in English with a concentration in adolescent education and a minor in advanced writing from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, where he went on to obtain a master’s degree in adolescent education. He furthered his education at Canisius College in Buffalo where he earned a certificate of advanced study in education administration. He holds New York State certification in both English Language Arts Grades 7-12 as well as School Building Leadership.
• Ms. Lockridge has over a decade of experience in K-12 education. She holds a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from D’Youville University, Buffalo. She is dually certified in general and special education and is currently working on a Ph.D. in leadership at Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina.
• Ms. Fierro has been serving as the principal at Oswego Middle School since 2011 and was named New York State Middle School Principal of the Year in 2017. She has also served as director of data management, technology integration specialist, professional development specialist, and mathematics teacher for the Oswego City School District where she began her career. Ms. Fierro has also served as an adjunct professor in the Education Department at LeMoyne College. She is a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Hope parish (Minetto), having taught both First Communion and Confirmation formation classes.
• Mr. Corrado began his career in education as a high school social studies teacher in the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE). In 2008, he was selected to participate in the NYC Leadership Academy’s Aspiring Principals Fellowship Program through which he completed his graduate-level work in School Building Leadership. In 2009, Mr. Corrado transitioned to the role of NYCDOE high school assistant principal. In 2016, he embraced the role of NYCDOE high school principal. Mr. Corrado earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the City University of New York – Queens College, in history and secondary social studies education, graduating with undergraduate and graduate-level honors from both academic departments. He holds NYS Department of Education professional certificates in Secondary Education, School Building Leadership, and School District Leadership.
