Five new principals and one president will join the ranks of Arlington diocesan schools this fall. The administrators gathered in mid-August for an orientation day with members of the Office of Catholic Schools, directed by Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Bernadette McManigal.
Al Garcia, new principal of Corpus Christi School in Falls Church, was born in Nogales, Ariz., and graduated from the University of Guam with a bachelor’s in psychology. He earned a master’s in public administration from Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., and a master’s in education cohort from George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax. He currently is pursuing a doctorate in education, with a specialty in instructional technology and secondary specialty in curriculum and instruction, from GMU.
Though he has no teaching experience in the Arlington Diocese specifically, Garcia brings seven years of teaching experience and 15 years of administrative experience with him to Corpus Christi.
Before transitioning to education full-time in 2004, Garcia spent 32 years working for the federal government, most notably as senior deputy assistant director of the federal Bureau of Prisons. He most recently taught Spanish and served as department chair of world languages at Mountain View High School in Stafford. For the last two years he has taught online courses for the University of Phoenix and Strayer University.
A member of St. William of York Parish in Stafford, Garcia sings in the choir, is a Knight of Columbus and has worked with the parish youth. Garcia is married to, Janis, and the couple has five children and 13 grandchildren.
Garcia replaces Laura Zybrick, principal of Corpus Christi for the past year.
Pat Koscinski, new principal of St. John the Evangelist School in Warrenton, was born in Philadelphia. She holds a bachelor’s from New Mexico State University in communicative disorders, with an endorsement in learning disabilities, and a master’s in education administration and supervision from George Mason University in Fairfax. In Virginia, she holds a license in administration and special education.
Prior to her appointment at St. John, Koscinski taught in elementary and high school for 13 years, followed by five years in administration, most recently at Dynard Elementary in Chaptico, Md.
A member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Triangle, Koscinski has served as chair of the parish council, as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and a religious education teacher.
Koscinski replaces Edward Hoffman, principal of St. John the Evangelist since 2007.
Mark Moran, new principal of Queen of Apostles School in Alexandria, was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Rockville, Md. He holds a bachelor’s in chemistry and philosophy and master’s in educational administration, both from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.
Moran brings 10 years of teaching experience, from fifth- to eighth-grade, and five years of administrative experience with him to Queen of Apostles. Prior to moving to Northern Virginia, he taught in Wisconsin, Ohio and, most recently, at Woodmont Academy in Cooksville, Md. In addition to teaching, Moran has served as dean of discipline, dean of students and team leader.
Moran recently moved to Annandale with his wife, Joanne, and their daughter, Sophia. The family attends Queen of Apostles. Moran replaces Joanne Yates, principal at Queen of Apostles since 2008.
Frank Nicely, new principal of St. William of York Parish in Stafford, taught at Woodmont Academy in Cooksville, Md., for nine years before moving to Northern Virginia to be principal of St. William of York.
Nicely was born in Boston, Mass., and grew up in Rochester, N.Y. He earned a bachelor’s in theology from Christendom College in Front Royal and a master’s in school administration and supervision from John’s Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is certified as a teacher and administrator for elementary and middle school, as well as a professional level catechist.
Nicely worked for 10 years in the Baltimore City public school system, teaching grades four through eight and working as assistant principal for nearly two years. At Woodmont, Nicely taught for five years and served as full-time dean of academics for another four.
Nicely and his wife, Peggy, are parishioners of St. William of York, where Peggy serves as a catechist.
Nicely replaces Franciscan Missionary of the Infant Jesus Sister Lisa Lorenz, principal of St. William of York since 2005.
Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Janet Siepker will take over as head of school of Siena Academy, the Catholic Montessori school associated with St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Great Falls.
Sister Janet was born in Carroll, Iowa. She holds a bachelor’s in education from Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wis., and a master’s in education from the University of Portland in Oregon. She has earned two certificates from the Association Montessori Internationale, one from the Montessori Education Center in Portland and another from the Washington Montessori Institute in Washington, D.C.
Sister Janet brings 34 years of teaching experience in Montessori schools with her to Siena Academy, including two years at the Academy itself, 2006-08. For the bulk of her teaching career, she taught ages six to 12 at Franciscan Montessori Earth School in Portland, Ore., Evergreen Montessori in Wheaton, Md., and Catholic schools in Duluth, Minn.
Sister Janet replaces Laura Bell, head of school of Siena Academy for the past year.
Kathleen Ryan Prebble is taking over the role of president at Bishop O’Connell School in Arlington.
Hailing from her most recent position as president of Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Ga., a college preparatory school operated under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy, Prebble will be new to O’Connell and to Northern Virginia, but not to the Washington, D.C. area.
A 1974 graduate of Catholic University in Washington, Prebble spent three decades working in Catholic education in Maryland schools. After eight years at Mount de Sales, Prebble moved back to the D.C. area to be closer to family.
Prebble brings many years of experience as a Catholic educator to O’Connell, including positions as a teacher, dean of students and an assistant head of school. In her eight years at Mount de Sales, she completed capital campaigns that resulted in new and renovated facilities, established endowments for faculty and student programs, and increased tuition assistance by more than 600 percent.
Prebble replaces Barry Breen, president of O’Connell since 2004.
