The Office of Catholic Schools met Aug. 2 with the nine new Catholic school principals who will begin their ministries this academic year. Get to know these principals by reading a little bit about them below:
Diana Armenta, St. Peter and St. Paul School, Alta Loma
This is my twelfth year in education. I started my career in education when I was a caregiver for my son, I began home-schooling him. This is my second career, I started in corporate business financial services, so through my son, I got into education. I feel privileged and humbled to be given the duty to lead the school. I have goals to elevate our Catholic identity and will set goals to improve our enrollment.
Yvonne Molnar, St. Edward School, Corona
I’ve taught in both public and private school. I was at St. Edward School for the past seven years as a second-grade teacher. It’s very exciting, I’m very proud to be the principal, especially because I am an alumni of the school, so it’s come full circle for me. For my goals, I just want to continue our rich Catholic traditions at the school and do all that I can for the children.
Joseph Salazar, Sacred Heart Academy, Redlands
I’ve been in Catholic education for 10 years, I was teacher for nine of those years, two at a middle school, seven at a high school and I spent my last year being an onward leader, a principalship, where I had the chance to sit behind a current principal in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Just being the principal is a blessing for me. It’s a great place to be a part of, the establishment is there, the goals are there. I think for me, it’s just bringing that new perspective to make sure we have new ideas, new goals in mind for myself and for the whole school. I believe a great leader is somebody who supports, innovates and inspires all stakeholders.
Sara Martinez, St. Francis de Sales School, Riverside (Vice Principal)
I have been an employee of the diocese since the year 2000, I worked in the West End Vicariate, I was a third-grade teacher for quite some time at St. George in Ontario. Then I moved into junior high and taught math for about seven years and six of those years, I was also vice principal. It’s a huge transformation for me, but I feel that with the correct help, we will be able to improve and increase our enrollment and continue to service the community.
Cullen Cooney, St. James School, Perris
I was a teacher for 15 years at Notre Dame (High School) and taught math and science. It’s exciting (to be the new principal), I love education, it’s a little different from being in the classroom. My goals are to make sure the school stays open and keeps a bright future ahead.
Shelley Renison, Holy Rosary Academy and Preschool, San Bernardino
I’ve been in Catholic education for 24 years (at Holy Rosary Academy), I have two Bachelor’s degrees and a Master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Notre Dame. I’m excited and just absolutely thrilled to step into this role. The goals I have for Holy Rosary are to continue moving toward exceeding excellence in education, to make sure the kids know that they are all loved, serve God and have a strong Catholic identity.
Jasia Martinez, St. Adelaide Academy, Highland
I started working at St. Thomas School in Riverside as a kindergarten teacher, then moved up to different grades, then went on to become a vice principal and now under the guidance of Maribel [Arguelles], became a principal. It’s exciting to be the new principal. My goal is to come with new ideas, especially since I’m not a part of the community, to come with an outsider perspective, first to see how things work. Then, how can I add my own style, flavor, and goals to the set community.
Angelica Regalado, Resurrection Academy, Fontana
This will be my tenth year in education, I was a teacher and vice principal at St. Catherine of Siena School (Riverside). Then I started at Resurrection Academy last year as the principal, I’ve already gotten my feet wet. My goal for my first year as principal was to focus on rebuilding the relationship with the parents and I think I’ve been pretty successful with that, I have a lot of parent support and besides the kids, the parents are one of the best things about our community. In my second year, I’m going to keep going because I know that everything we do is for the kids. So, with the parents’ help, and with the teachers’ help, I think we can do wonderful things.
Manuel Cardoza, Notre Dame High School, Riverside
I graduated from Cal State University, San Bernardino with a degree in history and I have a Master’s degree in divinity from the public school of theology in San Antonio, Texas. It feels great to be the new principal. It’s just a great opportunity at a Catholic school to emphasize the Lord is with us, whether it’s with the students, parents, teachers or faculty.