New St. Hedwig Principal Kathleen Nocella hopes all her students remember the importance of faith, life-long learning, and realizes their potential to change the world. Nocella will be leading the more than 460 Catholic school K-8th grade students into the coming school year, which begins today.
“I want the students to know that I believe they can make a difference in today’s world,” said Nocella. “I hope in the coming school year, we can find various ways of changing not only our world, but the world around us.”
Nocella came to St. Hedwig as an assistant principal in 2010, and brings with her extensive education and experience. She graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s in Political Science with a minor in U.S. History and earned her secondary teaching credential there. She taught 7th and 8th grade social studies and served as an assistant principal for 20 years. Additionally, she graduated from Loyola Marymount University with her master’s degree in Catholic School Administration, and also served as a university supervisor in the LMU Institute of School Leadership and Administration.
“I’m a life-long educator who is passionate about our Catholic schools,” she said. “From a very young age, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and as a product of Catholic education for 12 years, there was never any doubt that I would be a Catholic school teacher.”
“I knew the moment I walked in the door at St. Hedwig, that I was in a very special place, filled with a competent and caring faculty and staff, committed and involved parents, and wonderfully enthusiastic students,” she continued. “There is so much going on each day at St. Hedwig School that one cannot help but feel energized.”
The school’s theme this year is, “With God’s love, we can change the world.” Nocella has already seen the many ways St. Hedwig students serve, whether it is at the altar or in the community food bank, Toys for Tots, recycling or cleaning the bay.
“You name it, our students are there,” she said. “They realize that there is great fulfillment in serving those who are in need.”
“I hope that our students share the moral foundations that we are teaching and that they feel successful about their studies,” she said. “I know they love their school, and their show of spirit is contagious.”
She also wants parents to know that their child is cared for each day, and is getting the best possible education at St. Hedwig Catholic School. She believes in a strong partnership with parents, and considers it a very important trust that parents have in St. Hedwig. For students, Nocella wants them to always know she’s on their side, always wanting the best for them.
“I want the students of St. Hedwig to know that I believe that they can make a difference in today’s world,” she said. “And, that when times get rough, there is always someone in their corner.”
Nocella lives in West Los Angeles, enjoys reading, walking in her neighborhood, being with friends, listening to music and cheering on the Los Angeles Dodgers.