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August 30, 2022By Mary Lim
Danielle Coleman began this school year as the new principal of St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic School. After serving the Diocese of Tucson for thirty years in various teaching and administrative roles, this is her first year leading the staff and students of St. Cyril.
As the new principal, Coleman shared her inspirational back to school message with all St. Cyril parishioners and community members on the school’s website, where she says that “the Couger school spirit is contagious!”
In her welcome letter to St. Cyril School members, she emphasizes how the Catholic faith and each person’s relationship with God is inseparable from everything else that goes on in the school. “Our Catholic Identity and faith formation are carefully integrated into the total curriculum, where students develop a strong sense of respect for God, themselves, and others.”
Coleman is passionate about education and about her faith. As this isn’t her first rodeo in a Catholic school, she looks forward to being a part of handing down the beliefs and traditions of Catholicism to the youth of the Church.
Q: What is your favorite part about Catholic Education?
A: “Celebrating our faith openly and helping to evangelize our students.”
This year, St. Cyril is celebrating 70 years of raising up Catholic students in the Tucson community. Coleman is excited to be joining the vibrant Cougar community during such a momentous time! To celebrate this milestone year, St. Cyril staff and students will be partaking in events sprinkled throughout the school year and marked each month by adorable alliteration style themes, such as “Sensational September,” “Old Fashioned October,” and “Notable November,” just to name a few. Many of these events are open to the wider Tucson public, like an ice cream social, family movie night, a Diamond Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Weisenburger, and more! Visit the St. Cyril School website to learn more about the 70th Anniversary!
Amongst all the added excitement that the anniversary celebrations bring, the school will continue to also take part in regular religious formation. Pertaining to the religious and spiritual formation of the students, the school’s website states that “St. Cyril of Alexandria School is a community of faith that believes in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The religious program of St. Cyril of Alexandria School presents the central doctrines and morals of the Catholic faith.”
This formation includes daily religion classes and prayer, weekly Mass on Wednesdays, Sacrament preparation, and regular service opportunities both inside the context of the Mass and within the wider community. Coleman believes that this foundational relationship with God is what guides everything else in our lives.
Q: How does faith play a role in your job as a principal?
A: “I know that God guides our work together – we are in the right place here.”
Coleman looks forward to a busy and fun year as principal of St. Cyril of Alexandria School. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling with her husband. Please join us in praying for Danielle Coleman as she leads St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic School as their new principal, with God as her guide!