Dear Parents, Students, and Faculty of the Academy,
I hope this letter finds you well and that your summer is being filled with relaxation, excitement, prayer and, most importantly, family time! It is an honor and blessing to have assumed the role of principal at the Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as of July 1. I’m thrilled to be a part of your wonderful school and parish community. Though I’ve only been here a short time, the feeling I get as I walk the halls is one of comfort, peace and tradition. I can only imagine how the school will come to life with all of your smiling faces. In the meantime, I wanted to take this opportunity to say hello and introduce myself.
My involvement in Catholic Education for the last 15 years has not only given me the opportunity to teach, serve and lead the students with whom I have come in contact, but it has given me the chance to grow and become a lifelong learner myself. Within the Archdiocese of Newark, my experiences range from PreK through Grade 8 in all content areas as well as serving on a variety of committees for improvements in areas such as curriculum and technology.
While pursuing my doctorate in education at Seton Hall University, it became apparent to me that I would one day want to take on a leadership role within a Catholic school environment. Learning about OLMC’s mission statement solidified for me that the Academy is where I belong and most importantly where God wants me to be on this journey. I strongly believe that our Roman Catholic values and constant spiritual growth will enrich the educational experience at OLMC. It is a personal goal of mine to continuously grow spiritually, morally and intellectually and to pass this passion on to those that surround me on a regular basis.
Mr. Bruno has certainly left some big shoes to fill. OLMC has made fantastic strides over the past few years to bring about innovative changes to the instruction and curriculum all while enhancing the Carmelite traditions that make the Academy so unique. Our school has worked so hard to achieve the high standard of education that we currently enjoy. Moving forward, it is crucial that we don’t simply try to maintain those standards; we must instead continuously raise the bar and strive to challenge all stakeholders to be the best that they can be.
Over the next couple of months, I will be getting to know the team members of the academy that dedicate their time and talents to ensure the best possible spiritual and educational atmosphere for children to learn and grow. I am thrilled to meet each of you and learn how you contribute to OLMC.
The summer updates are well underway and I am enthusiastically learning the ins and outs of the building. The Makerspace is coming along well on the 3rd floor; it’s just waiting for the students and teachers to utilize it to its capacity. With improvements like this, our school’s 21st century learning skills will be enhanced and each student will be challenged to reach the high expectations that we have for them in this state of the art learning space. SMART technologies and 3D printing capabilities will ensure interactive learning experiences for all students within all content areas. I will keep you informed of the exciting renovations and improvements as the summer months progress.
Once again, I am thrilled to begin this journey and I look forward to meeting each of you! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
In Carmel,
Miss Kelly Koval
Principal