New leaders bring experience, enthusiasm to their Catholic schools
The Archdiocese of Newark welcomes nine new Catholic school leaders as the 2026-27 academic year begins. As educators and administrators, they bring a wide diversity of practical experience to their new roles, as well as a commitment to Catholic education.
They shared their backgrounds and plans for the upcoming year with Jersey Catholic.
Dr. Cynthia Celestine will serve as the new principal of Saint Joseph School in Oradell. She brings around 20 years of experience in public and Catholic schools to her new role. That includes an extensive background in early childhood education, special education, gifted and talented education, “and the developmental stages of students from birth through eighth grade.”
Dr. Celestine’s top priorities include “strengthening our sense of community, building meaningful relationships through active listening, promoting academic excellence, supporting teachers, and fostering open and consistent communication.”
Her goal is to cultivate a “student-centered learning environment” that gives students opportunities for spiritual, academic, social, and emotional growth, aimed at “educating the whole child.”
I am excited to build meaningful relationships with our students, families, faculty, staff, and pastor. I look forward to listening, learning, and working together to create a joyful, faith-filled, and academically enriching environment where every child feels valued and supported and is empowered to learn at the highest level.”
– Dr. Cynthia Celestine, Saint Joseph School
Jennifer D’Arco is the new principal of Saint Leo School in Elmwood Park. She came to her new role from Good Shepherd Academy, where she served as vice principal, athletic director, and summer camp director. She said that the experience allowed her to work closely with students, family, faculty, and staff, and allowed her to develop “strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and team leadership skills.”
As she now serves the students and families of Saint Leo’s, her top priority is to foster strong communication within the entire school community. “Open and consistent communication helps build trust and strengthens our school community,” D’Arco said. She also looks forward to getting to know students and families.
“By listening, being present, and working collaboratively with all the members of our school community, I hope to create a positive and welcoming environment where every student can succeed,” D’Arco said.
As the school year begins, I am most excited about meeting our new families and students and getting to know the members of the St. Leo’s community. I also look forward to working collaboratively with our teachers and staff.”
– Jennifer D’Arco, Saint Leo School
Daryl George, the new principal of Notre Dame Academy in Palisades Park, said that she was most excited to “watch the magic of educators engaging students in their classrooms.” For 31 years, she served in Tenafly Public Schools, most recently as an elementary school principal.
Over the years, George also worked as a vice principal of a middle school and taught physical education and family life. She said that she is proud to now be part of the Catholic School system in the Archdiocese of Newark with its “caring and generous educators.”
“My interests are in building relationships with people and bringing joy to others,” George said. She shared that in her spare time, she volunteers at a Hackensack food kitchen, advocates for libraries, and works with students.
My top priorities are improving overall school communication, connecting with our local parishes, and making the school mission and virtues part of our everyday life. Providing professional development opportunities for both our faculty and staff members, utilizing the funds we have from all available avenues, and maximizing the impact on our student and staff performance will also be priorities.”
– Daryl George, Notre Dame Academy
Nicole Mineo brings 14 years of experience in Catholic education to her new role as principal of Saint Elizabeth School in Wyckoff. She previously taught at Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi for over ten years, also serving as the school’s Director of Enrollment Management and Dean of Mission Integration. For the last three years, Mineo was the Dean of Students at Paramus Catholic High School.
“Every step of this journey has shaped me into the principal I am today,” Mineo said. “Teaching deepened my understanding of children. My time in enrollment taught me to partner with families, earning their trust to ensure our school was the perfect fit for their child. Finally, my role as a dean allowed me to weave mission and faith into daily school life while fostering the social, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our students.”
Herself a product of Catholic schools, Mineo is committed to working with the parish and school communities to create “an environment where every child feels loved, welcomed and working to their fullest potential, which all encompasses educating the whole child,” while encouraging all to walk in the footsteps of God.
I am excited to be part of a community where faith is lived each day! My first priority as a new leader is listening, learning, building relationships, and working together to ensure Saint Elizabeth School, which has over 70 years of academic excellence, continues to be a place where children can learn, grow and truly flourish, while becoming confident and competent future leaders. I plan to honor the school’s foundation and lead it forward in continued success.”
– Nicole Mineo, Saint Elizabeth School
Elizabeth Reyes said she is “truly honored and grateful” to be the new principal of the Academy of Saint Joseph of the Palisades in West New York — especially because she attended the school as a little girl.
Describing herself as “a very proud Catholic,” Reyes has been impacted by the many pilgrimages she has made to holy sites over the years, where she “felt my faith come alive.” Reyes said that she considers Catholic school education to be “a treasure,” where students learn to live out the Gospel even as they learn their academic subjects.
As Saint Joseph’s new principal, she said her personal motto for the new school year will be “Anchored in Faith.” Reyes added that she knows there will be “highs as well as lows” in the year ahead but that she is also certain that “God will always be by my side.”
My top priority this year will be my commitment to leading with purpose; supporting our teachers and families and encouraging our students. My goal is to create a school environment where every child has the opportunity to learn with confidence, succeed in and outside of the classroom, and grow in faith.”
– Elizabeth Reyes, Saint Joseph of the Palisades School
Stella Scarano has long felt at home at Paramus Catholic High School, where she has been an English teacher, dean of student life, vice principal, and interim director of admissions. She will now serve as the school’s principal.
Prior to her time at Paramus Catholic, Scarano was a teacher and principal in Catholic elementary schools. She said that she is “excited about the new beginnings, experiences and opportunities every new year brings.”
As principal, I am committed to working alongside our dedicated faculty, staff, families, and students to foster an environment where every individual is challenged to grow academically, spiritually, and personally.”
– Stella Scarano, Paramus Catholic High School
Michael Stone, the new principal of Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, has spent his entire career in education. He credits his passion for the field to “terrific mentors.”
“Through the years I have been a teacher, counselor, director, and coach,” Stone said. He believes that this experience, along with the relationships he has built with “outstanding colleagues” over the years have prepared him well for his new leadership role.
Though he started at Saint Joseph’s in June, now that the school year is underway, Stone is “excited to meet all of the students in our great high school,” he said.
One of my top priorities centers upon the value of connections. I believe it is deeply important to collaborate with others. Being new to Saint Joseph Regional, my focus is to meet as many new faces as possible and to build positive relationships with our students, parents, and staff members.”
– Michael Stone, Saint Joseph Regional High School
Marie Stringile brings 45 years of education experience to her new role as principal of All Saints Catholic Academy in Bayonne. She previously worked as an administrator in the Jersey City public school system at the elementary and middle school levels.
As the leader of a Catholic school, her lists of priorities includes: building relationships and trust, establishing a positive school culture, focusing on teaching and learning, and supporting teachers. She said that student needs and safety and creating “clear systems and accountability” are also high on her list. Stringile added her mindset is to “listen first, learn the culture, build trust, and then lead change.”
“Everything else should support these priorities,” she said, adding that she is grateful “for the faith, traditions, and sacrifices that have shaped our Catholic schools,” and that she has “a deep belief in the mission of Catholic education.”
As I begin this new chapter as principal, I am reminded that Catholic education is more than academics. It is about forming young people who know they are loved by God and who are prepared to bring Christ’s love into the world. Catholic education is strongest when school family, and parish walk together.”
– Marie Stringile, All Saints Catholic Academy
Joanna Vargas has been an educator for 25 years at the pre-K through college levels, an experience she will draw upon as the new administrator of the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes. “These experiences have helped me to better understand the unique challenges faced at each developmental level,” which is essential when leading a school serving students in grades pre-K through eight, she said.
Vargas added that as a parent of two college students, she saw how “a strong sense of Catholic identity combined with a solid academic foundation and parent/school partnership profoundly impacted their lives.”
Also important was her work as a dean of students and her participation in the Future Leaders Program, because they inspired her to pursue this new path. “Serving as an administrator within a Catholic School allows me to align my philosophy of leadership with my core values and beliefs, maintaining a faith focused community centered on respect, kindness, and God’s love,” she said.
One of my top priorities is making sure everyone in our community feels welcomed and recognizes that our faith is the foundation of what keeps us connected. My goal is to serve as inspiration to others, remaining a consistent model of faith, and creating an environment of integrity, compassion, and understanding.”
– Joanna Vargas, Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Featured image: Collage of images from (clockwise) St. Elizabeth, Wyckoff; Paramus Catholic High School; St. Leo School, Elmwood; St. Joseph School, Oradell. (School Facebook pages)
