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Department of Catholic Schools
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 Dear Colleagues and Friends
of Catholic Education:Now well into my second year as Superintendent of Schools, I would like to provide you with some information about myself, my background and my total and unwavering commitment to Catholic schools. While I wish I had provided this information on our website soon after my arrival, my priorities last year were focused on serving as the interim Principal of Notre Dame High School in Salinas and learning about this wonderful Diocese from pastors, Catholic school principals, teachers and parents. Bishop Richard Garcia invited me to serve as Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Monterey soon after his arrival as Bishop. A Search Committee had been established under the leadership of Susan Mayer, our General Counsel and Director of Human Resources. I want to thank the Search Committee members for the time and effort that they put into this search. Members included: • Sister Susan Olson, Director of Planning; • Tom Riordan, Finance Officer; • Pat Weber, Counselor, Notre Dame High School, Salinas; • Kathleen O’Donnell, Principal, Sacred Heart Parish School, Hollister; • Peggy Burger, Principal, Junipero Serra School, Carmel. Prior to coming to Monterey, I had served for ten years as Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. Prior to that, I served for two years as Assistant Superintendent of Schools before Bishop Dale Melczek named me as Superintendent for the Diocese of Gary. All of my adult and professional life has been devoted to Catholic schools. I began teaching in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at Our Lady of Lourdes in Eighth Grade and Science. I then moved to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where I served as an Eighth Grade and Fifth Grade teacher at St. Bernard School. During my years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, my husband, Dave, completed law school. When my husband’s career took us to Chicago, I taught junior high school English at Our Lady of Knock. Although I enjoyed Chicago, we were there for only one year before relocating to Virginia, Minnesota, in the Diocese of Duluth. I taught Kindergarten at Marquette School for two years until yet another career move took us to the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. I again taught Kindergarten and Eighth Grade at St. Catherine of Siena School. In 1992 I was appointed Principal. After four years as principal, we moved to South Bend, Indiana. It was at that time I decided to pursue a Ph.D. degree in educational administration at Purdue University. While still completing my Ph.D., I was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Schools of the Diocese of Gary. My initial responsibilities were primarily in the area of curriculum and instruction, though I also worked with teachers, principals and parents, helping to clarify expectations and solve problems. This was a wonderful learning experience for me. We then moved back to Gary and I completed my Ph.D. degree in 2001. During my tenure as Superintendent in the Diocese of Gary, I was provided with an opportunity to serve as an adjunct consultant with Catholic School Management with the permission and encouragement of Bishop Melczek. This adjunct consulting position allowed me to expand my depth and breadth of knowledge in the areas of school governance and structures. I continue that work today, although on a much more limited basis, given my responsibilities in the Diocese of Monterey. While serving Catholic schools and moving throughout the Untied States, Dave and I raised two now adult children. David recently completed law school and is now a practicing attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana, while Michael is completing his undergraduate work in sports management at Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois. My life in Catholic schools has reaffirmed the importance of this ministry of the Church and deepened my commitment to the integration of faith with the learning process. I bring this experience and this commitment to the Catholic community in the beautiful Diocese of Monterey and look forward to working closely with parents, teachers, pastors, board members and most importantly, students. Sincerely, Kim R. Pryzbylski, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools |
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Department of Catholic Schools 485 Church Street, P. O. Box 350 Monterey, CA 93942 (831) 373-1608 FAX (831) 373-0173 Office:Schools@dioceseofmonterey.org |
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