The Board of Trustees of St. Joseph Hill Academy announced in June Lawrence Hansen has been appointed new principal of the Arrochar elementary school.
Mr. Hansen is successor to Dorothy Zissler, who recently retired after serving St. Joseph Hill Academy successfully for 18 years, including nine years as principal. Hansen’s appointment became effective July 17.
Hansen earned a bachelor of arts degree in English literature, and a master’s degree in English literature from the City University of New York, College of Staten Island. He also attended the Curran Principal Academy and received a master’s degree in school leadership from Fordham University.
Mr. Hansen is joining St. Joseph Hill Academy after serving St. Clare Elementary School in multiple leadership roles in his 18-year history with the Great Kills school. While at St. Clare elementary school, he served as a seventh and eighth grade ELA teacher, oversaw the development and expansion of their after-school program, and worked closely with the teaching staff and administration developing innovative academic curriculum and technology initiatives — as well as expanding student enrichment opportunities.
“I am excited to join the St. Joseph Hill Academy family as the principal of the elementary school,” said Hansen. He added: “I look forward to working with the faculty and staff to build upon the successes that they have already achieved and maintain our Catholic identity by honoring the mission of the Daughters of Divine Charity to make God’s love visible to all. I’m eager to begin working this summer to get up to speed and anticipate a wonderful school year.”
In speaking of her retirement, Mrs. Zissler noted:
“I am honored to have served as Principal of St. Joseph Hill Academy, always striving to enrich the educational and spiritual lives of our students. Understanding that the educational landscape is continually evolving, Mr. Hansen has the vision and the enthusiasm to continue the legacy of St. Joseph Hill Academy.”
Sister Mary Coffelt, president of St. Joseph Hill Academy, stated:
“We are confident that Mr. Hansen’s life-long dedication to Catholic education and his energy, expertise and leadership skills will help sustain St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School’s nearly 100 year history of co-educational academic excellence and spiritual enrichment for boys and girls.”