
Principal's Academy
Catholic school leadership is rewarding, challenging and fulfilling. Being a beginning Catholic school leader has a unique learning curve unlike any other school leadership position. This academy's goal is to shorten the learning curve and build a knowledge base to make the principal's role as rewarding as it should be.

Session #1 - October 11, 2022
5:00 - 6:30 pm virtual
Join Dr. Tim Uhl, Superintendent for the Diocese of Buffalo and principal panelists in a lively and engaging conversation about the importance of knowing, understanding and engaging in the Catholic Identity and Charism of your school.
As a beneficiary of Catholic education for 21 years, Dr. Uhl has spent his entire professional life in Catholic education. He served as Assistant Principal at Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle from 2001-2006, and as Principal of Catholic High School in New Iberia, Louisiana from 2006 to 2010. He then served as Principal at Holy Rosary Regional School in Tacoma, Washington from 2010 to 2014.
He was appointed Superintendent of Montana Catholic Schools in 2014. He has served on the National Catholic Education Association Leadership Advisory Council, and currently serves as a Consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Education. He is the author of several publications in addition to a presenter regularly at national education conferences, workshops and conventions. Dr. Uhl earned his BA in English and Psychology at St. Mary’s University in Texas in 1992, and his Masters in American Studies at Saint Louis University two years later. He earned his Doctorate in American Studies in 1997, also from Saint Louis University. In 2008, he completed a Masters in Educational Leadership from Seattle Pacific University.
Session Video Part 1, Session Video Part 2
Catholic Identity Badgelist - https://badgelist.com/Principals-Academy
State and Federal Funding Programs
November 15, 2022
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm virtual
Join Jim Cultrara, Director of Education at the NYS Catholic Conference for a informative and engaging session on the state and federal funds available to Catholic schools. Principal panelists will share their thoughts on the accessibility and uses of the funds.
Mr. Cultrara has been the Director for Education at the NYS Catholic Conference and Executive Secretary to the NYS Council of Catholic School Superintendents, representing the Roman Catholic Bishops and School Superintendents of New York State since 1996. In this capacity, he serves as the chief public policy advisor and advocate for the state’s Catholic schools. Jim is also the Co-Chairman of the NYS Coalition for Independent and Religious Schools which unites the public policy interests of and serves some 1,800 religious and independent schools across the state.
Jim advocates before the New York State Executive branch, Legislature, Board of Regents, State Education Department as well as Congress, The White House, federal agencies including the US Department of Education and other public entities. Mr. Cultrara is the former Assistant Director of the NYS Senate Education Committee with which he was affiliated for 11 years.
Session Materials:


Self Management
Join Carol Hayes for a conversation about self management. This discussion goes beyond just discussing time and how we manage to get all things done, to looking at all the components of leadership management.
December 13, 2022 5 -6:30 pm

Policy, Procedures & the Law
January 10, 2023, 5:00 -6:30 pm virtual
Join Sr. Mary Angela (Angie) Shaughnessy, SCN, J.D., Ph.D , national expert on Catholic School policy, procedures and the law for this engaging and enlightening session. Sister Angie is a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. She has served in education in nearly every capacity – teacher, principal, professor, graduate school dean, and university vice president. She holds a PhD in educational administration and a Juris Doctorate. She is the founding director of the NCEA Education Law Symposium, author of more than 30 texts, and recipient of numerous awards.
Handbooks and other Materials:
Change Leadership
February 8, 2023, 5:00 - 6:30pm
Dr. Giovanni Virgiglio, Diocesan Chancellor & Superintendent of Schools at Diocese of Albany. Before joining the Catholic School Office in 2015, Dr. Virgiglio served as principal of St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam from 2008 to 2015 and taught at St. Casimir Regional School in Albany from 2003 to 2008.
A graduate of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, Dr. Virgiglio received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Special Education 1-6, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration, he obtained his doctorate from the Sage Colleges in 2022. He holds New York State certifications in elementary and special education, as well as building and district administration.
Dr. Virgiglio will share with us the intricacies of change leadership, what it means, and how to achieve effective change.
Handouts
Stress, Health and Wellness
March 14, 2023 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Presented by Sandy Towers-Halpin
Sandy has spent over 30 years in education as a classroom teacher, department chair, Employee Assistance Coordinator, and most recently as a professional development specialist. She is a proud Teacher Center Director in the New Hartford Central School District which is a member of the Eastern Upstate Region of Teacher Centers. She ascribes to two main beliefs in her role as a teacher leader: When we have we share - when we need we ask. and All children our children.

