July 28, 2020

Paula Fitzgerald appointed principal of Blessed Sacrament School

REGIONAL
By Sharon Roulier

(iObserve photo/courtesy of Paula Fitzgerald)

HOLYOKE – Blessed Sacrament School, a Catholic elementary school serving students in preschool through grade eight, has announced the appointment of Paula Fitzgerald of Holyoke as principal, replacing Anne O’Connor, who retired after 29 years at the school, the last six as principal.

“We are very excited to have found a principal with such talent. The search process for a principal was arduous,” said Father Robert Gentile, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish. “By the end, Mrs. Fitzgerald’s interview impressed every member of the committee. She convincingly demonstrated she was a good fit for us, and we believe we are a good fit for her. We believe we have a principal for the foreseeable future and are excited to be working with her for years to come.”

Fitzgerald earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s of applied teaching from Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, as well as a certificate in education administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has served as a principal at Morgan School in Holyoke; Quarry Hill Community School in Monson; and Chestnut Hill Community School in Belchertown. She also is currently an adjunct professor at Elms College.

“Blessed Sacrament School has a longstanding tradition of high quality education that is firmly rooted in the principles of the Catholic Church.  It is also known for fostering a truly kind and compassionate community,” said Fitzgerald, as she noted her reasons for accepting the position. “As an educator, I found these aspects of the school to be very inviting, and as a result, I could easily envision becoming part of this community in the role of principal.”

As a teacher, Fitzgerald focused primarily on teaching reading before moving on to serve in administrative roles.

“We are very excited to welcome Paula Fitzgerald to a leadership role in our Catholic schools,” said Daniel Baillargeon, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Springfield. “She came highly recommended and has an extensive background and wealth of experience in teaching and learning. An accomplished administrator, she will continue the good work of excellence in education at Blessed Sacrament School and build on the strong foundations already there.”

“In our first conversation, it was clear that Mrs. Fitzgerald is a passionate educator who loves her faith and will inspire the Blessed Sacrament School Community through her actions, witness, and example,” added Baillargeon.

Fitzgerald lives in Holyoke with her husband, Kevin, and children, Nick and Katie. They are parishioners of Our Lady of the Cross Parish. In her spare time, she said she enjoys reading, hiking, yoga, and spending time with her family.