A new principal will soon be walking the halls of St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria. The Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced the appointment of Erinn Dougherty to the position on March 3. Dougherty replaces Joanne Poloni, who is retiring following the conclusion of this school year. Poloni had worked at the school for 40 years and served for six as principal.
Dougherty is currently a division chair, instructional coach, and AP English teacher at Bourgade Catholic High School in Phoenix, Arizona. She is also the managing partner of an education consulting company, which offers wide-ranging services including faculty professional development, college consultation, and tutoring.
“There is no more worthwhile work than the work done educating and evangelizing our young people,” Dougherty said in a statement. “My family and I are excited to join the St. Joseph family and carry on its rich tradition of excellence.”
Before Bourgade, Dougherty served as an assistant principal at the Glendale Elementary School District in Arizona. She has taught as a full-time faculty member at Grand Canyon University’s College of Education and as an adjunct faculty member at Seton Hall University, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Phoenix.
“The interview committee felt very strongly that Mrs. Dougherty has the qualities that St. Joseph needs to lead the school into the future,” Deputy Superintendent of High Schools Dan O’Connell said in a statement. “She is a visionary leader with a deep passion for students, strong experience in instructional leadership, and a deep understanding and appreciation for the holistic mission of Catholic education to educate the mind, body, and soul.”
Dougherty begins her tenure as principal on July 1 of this year.
This article appears in Mar 15-22, 2018.