The Office of Catholic Schools welcomed seven new principals aboard last week at their annual meeting. The group combined brings nearly a century of teaching experience to the diocesan schools, and two are new to the Arlington Diocese. The three religious represent the spirituality of the Franciscans and Daughters of Wisdom.

Carol H. Krichbaum

Carol H. Krichbaum steps in as principal of St. Theresa School in Ashburn. She received her bachelor’s degree from Annhurst College in Woodstock, Conn., and her master’s degree from Cambridge College in Maryland. She has also studied at Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio.

Krichbaum has been a teacher for 11 years and taught first-, fifth- and seventh-grades in Massachusetts. She and her husband, Gary, have two children. The family is new to the diocese.

Sr. Lisa Lorenz, F.M.I.J.

Fraciscan Missionary of the Infant Jesus Sister Lisa Lorenz becomes principal at St. William of York School in Stafford, where she is no stranger. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University in Camden, N.J., and her master’s degree in moral theology from St. Charles Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa. Sister Lorenz is currently studying pastoral counseling at Loyola College in Columbia, Md.

She brings 11 years of teaching experience to her new position. For the past five years, she has taught religion at St. William of York School. Before that, she taught in Woodbury Heights, N.J.

Sr. Elizabeth Ann McGuire, O.S.F.

Franciscan Sister of the Immaculate Conception Sister Elizabeth Ann McGuire is the new principal of St. Ann School in Arlington. She received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in education from Penn State University and is nearly finished with a master’s degree in education administration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

She has 20 years of teaching experience in grades 6-12. She taught at St. Rita School in Alexandria for the past five years. Before that, she taught in various schools in Pennsylvania.

Joseph N. Orandello

Joseph N. Orandello will be the first principal of Our Lady of Hope School in Potomac Falls. He received his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y. He studied psychology at Bernard Baruch College and received his master’s degree from Hunter College, both in New York, N.Y.

Orandello taught for six years in Queens, N.Y., but most recently worked for the federal government in Alexandria. He and his wife, Barbara Ann, and have two children.

Peter F. Schultz

St. John School in McLean welcomes Peter F. Schultz as its new principal. Schultz received his bachelor’s degree in political science from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., and his master’s degree in education from SUNY Cortland in Cortland, N.Y. He studied education administration at SUNY Oswego in Oswego, N.Y.

He has taught for seven years and been a principal for three, all in New York. He and his wife, Kristen, have four children and are new to Northern Virginia.

Sr. Marie Sopr, D.W.

Daughter of Wisdom Sister Marie Sopr steps in as the new principal at St. Bernadette School in Springfield. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Seat of Wisdom College in Litchfield, Conn., and her master’s degree in elementary education from Catholic University. She has also studied at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and Trinity College in Washington.

Sister Sopr has taught for 25 years, mostly in first- through eighth-grades. Before coming to Virginia, she also worked in Ozone Park, N.Y., and Litchfield and Waterbury, Conn. She has worked as principal for five years and also served as superior of her religious community. She taught at St. Bernadette for 10 years, retired in 1995, and is now returning as principal.

Joanne Yates

Joanne Yates begins the school year as principal at St. Ambrose School in Annandale. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and education from Wheeling University in Wheeling, W.Va. She received her master’s degree in education administration from Marymount University.

Yates taught first grade for five years and sixth grade for six years. She has previously worked at Holy Spirit School in Annandale. She and her husband, Bob, and have four children.