St. Joseph School and St. Pius X School welcome new principals
Originally posted on www.anchornews.org
by Joan Warren
New principals have been announced for two Catholic school in the Diocese of Fall River.
Tara Frost will take the lead at St Joseph’s School in Fairhaven and Joanna Ryder at St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth. The new principals have a wealth of experience to lead their respective schools.
Mrs. Frost’s extensive career in education has included roles of teacher, school administrator, and instructional coach.
Tara Frost
Most recently, Frost spent two years as an Instructional Leadership Coach with the Roche Center at Boston College. In this role, she actively coached new teachers on curriculum mapping, classroom management, and lesson planning. In addition to this, she also supported the Social Emotional Learning Academy.
Prior to joining the Roche Center, Frost was an assistant principal and high school English teacher in London, England. During her nineteen years overseas, Frost worked at two inner city schools, where her focus was to improve literacy across the curriculum. She was also involved in a Teaching and Learning team, where she led a program for newly qualified teachers.
“I believe that education should not only equip us with knowledge and skills but also instill a sense of responsibility and purpose,” said Frost.
“Catholic schools, and especially St. Joseph School, have a long-standing tradition of fostering intellectual curiosity while nurturing the development of the whole person. In today’s complex and often turbulent world, I believe that a strong moral compass is more important than ever, and leading St. Joseph School provides me with the opportunity to impart a foundation rooted in timeless principles of love, empathy, and solidarity.”
Denise Peixoto, Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Fall River, stated, “Our Catholic schools partner with families to cultivate an environment where students thrive spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. It has been proven that a Catholic education allows each student to flourish by integrating a Catholic worldview into all foundational subjects such as reading, writing, math and social studies. We are blessed to have such a committed group of school leaders across the Diocese like Tara Frost who have said yes to God’s call.”
Frost has an undergraduate degree in English from Franklin Pierce University and holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management from Warwick University, Warwick, England. She and her husband, Sean, have a four year old dog, Alfie, and are active members at Saint Mary’s Parish in Mansfield. They reside in Attleboro.
Joanna Ryder
Father John Kelleher, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Yarmouth announce the confirmation of Joanna Ryder as the principal of St. Pius X School, commencing the 2024-25 school year. Mrs. Ryder was previously serving as the interim principal of the school since April 2024.
Prior to her appointment as interim principal, Ryder was an educator for eleven years, investing eight of those years at St. Pius X School where she worked as a classroom teacher, co-teacher and teacher assistant.
Most recently, Mrs. Ryder has served as a member of the school’s social-emotional learning team (SEL) and on the advisory board.
Ryder began her career as a kindergarten teacher at St. Patrick School in Stoneham, MA. She is a product of Catholic education throughout her all the years of her schooling, having come from a family of Catholic school educators. Her mother was a Catholic school teacher and campus minister, and three of her brothers work in Catholic education (one as a teacher, one as an athletic director, and one as an administrator). Ryder is currently enrolled in the Executive Leadership Academy at Boston College through the Roche Center for Catholic Education.
“I have been called to serve and will uphold this vocation as a gift from God as I continue to work in Catholic education. Ultimately, it is my intent to lead with pride as I will strive to follow in the footsteps of Christ, the teacher. I will embrace the spirit of servant leader and will work to maintain our success. Together with the support of our staff, families and community I will enhance our school’s identity and enter into our twentieth year as a school stronger than ever.” Ryder said.
Father John Kelleher, Pastor of St. Pius X Parish and School said the appointment of Mrs. Ryder will continue the school’s reputation as a leader in Catholic education.
“St. Pius X School has an excellent reputation for serving the diverse population in surrounding communities whose families are committed to a nurturing, faith-based environment for their children. I am confident that under Mrs. Ryder’s leadership, St. Pius X School will embody the school’s mission ‘to learn, to grow and to lead’ by bringing Christ into the hearts and minds of whomever they encounter. Ultimately, this is the time to embrace the power of these words and I will do all that I can to assist Mrs. Ryder in continuing the success and growth of the school.”
Daniel S. Roy, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Fall River, said Mrs. Ryder was the ideal candidate for the position.
“It is no secret that Catholic schools, in partnership with families, cultivate an environment where students can thrive spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. The unique aspect of a Catholic education is the integration of a Catholic worldview into all foundational subjects such as reading, writing, math and social studies.”
Ryder has a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and human development from Anna Maria College. She earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. She and her husband, Sean, have two sons, who both currently attend St. Pius X School. They are active members of St. Pius X Parish and love being part of the Cape Cod community.