Kristen Schreiner Appointed Principal of St. Mary’s Elementary School

Manhasset, NY: This spring, a Search Committee formed under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo, pastor of the Church and Schools of St. Mary, and the Very Rev. Dom Elias Carr, Can. Reg. president of the Schools of St. Mary, to fill the position of principal for Saint Mary’s Elementary School. The committee embarked on its mission, which included a nationwide effort to gather applicants. After a thorough process and much prayerful discernment, the committee reached a unanimous decision this week. Therefore, Rev. Fr. Robert Romeo is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Kristen Schreiner as the new principal of Saint Mary’s Elementary School, joining the helm of one of the prestigious educational institutions that constitute the Schools of Saint Mary. Ms. Schreiner succeeds Mrs. Sarah Griffin, who served as principal since 2016. Mrs. Theresa Kemp, who joined the administration in 2017, will resume her role as assistant principal.

Father Bob noted, “When Mrs. Griffin announced her desire to step down from her role to care for her family, I was very happy for her, yet sad for us. Mrs. Griffin has been a wonderfully innovative and future-looking principal who has done much for our school. I told the search committee members that I would not be settling for the second-best in our search, and if we had to hire an interim principal until the perfect candidate surfaced, I was willing to wait. I am so happy that the principal we have chosen fulfills my desire for someone who can build on what our leadership created in our schools. I am so pleased that Ms. Kristen Schreiner has accepted the role of principal at Saint Mary’s Elementary School. I know she will not only build upon the present but also take a giant leap forward for the future and continue establishing our position as a premier Catholic elementary school.”

Ms. Schreiner comes to Saint Mary’s Elementary School with a wealth of experience as a Catholic educator. After completing her BA in History in 2008 and her MA in Secondary Education in 2009, both at Adelphi University, she began teaching social studies at Sacred Heart Academy. During her tenure, Ms. Schreiner taught AP US Government and Politics, Economics and Government, Global Studies I & II, Psychology, and Business Law. She also served four years as a class dean and assisted in establishing the Social Emotional Learning Committee. She helped to devise and administer remote learning during the pandemic serving as a Saturday School Coordinator in Copiague for elementary-aged students, where she created and oversaw more than four hundred students who were in need of catching up academically from the time they lost during the lockdown.

Assistant Principal Kemp remarked, “Ms. Schreiner brings a wealth of talent, compassion, and a love of learning to St. Mary’s. I am very excited to begin planning with her over the summer for the new school year.”

As an experienced high school teacher, Ms. Schreiner understands the need for an exceptional elementary school education that lays the foundation for later academic and personal success. She firmly believes that faith should be at the center of everything, including “building strong foundations for disciplined academics, empathy towards others and participation in the global community.”

Ms. Schreiner regularly worked with first-year students as they arrived at high school to ensure their proper adaptation to the rigors of secondary education. Working with other staff members, Ms. Schreiner identified the need to de-stigmatize mental illness through education and curriculum, which she authored and devised.  

“We are excited that Ms. Schreiner will not only bring social and emotional learning to promote the students’ social intelligence but also that it will strengthen their spiritual development. We know that many obstacles to a proper relationship with God are emotional in nature,” said President Fr. Elias Carr.

Committed to her Catholic faith, Ms. Schreiner actively participates in preparation for the Sacred Liturgy as a sacristan and serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Sacred Heart Academy, and is a Catechist in her home parish teaching children with special needs. Her compassion likewise expresses her Catholic faith as she strives to become better able to meet the diverse learning styles of children. Currently, she is pursuing her certification in Special Education, which will be a further asset to our school.

Ms. Schreiner, with confidence, addressed Fr. Bob upon accepting the position, “As the new principal of St. Mary’s Elementary School, I look forward to strengthening Mrs. Griffin’s achievements with Mrs. Kemp’s help.” The latter, having served successfully as co-principal this year with Mrs. Griffin, who is expecting her second child soon, will be instrumental in the smooth transition. “I am grateful to the Search Committee for recognizing my talent, experience, and depth of my Catholic faith. I am thrilled to be joining the vibrant and welcoming community of the Schools of St. Mary. Catholic education is my passion, and I am eager to collaborate with students, parents, faculty, alumni, and our parish to help our students flourish academically, socially, and spiritually, all the while glorifying God along our journey. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you all.”  

At this time, Fr. Bob is pleased to add another appointment to the leadership. Faculty member and technology integration specialist Mrs. Michelle Tripi is now the dean of students to increase the school’s innovation and standards of excellence. Her promotion and creation of this new position round out a solid team of administrative leaders at the elementary level.

Mrs. Griffin proudly remarked, “I have been so blessed to lead the St. Mary’s Elementary School community over the past six years. And now, I could not feel more enthusiastic and confident about St. Mary’s bright future in the hands of this new administrative team – Ms. Schreiner, Mrs. Kemp, and Mrs. Tripi as I shift gears to focus on my growing family. I look forward to being a part of the transition and remaining a supporter of St. Mary’s, always.” Fr. Bob is in the process of forming another role to keep Mrs. Griffin connected to the school community that equally adores and appreciates her contribution as an educator and alumna.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Eileen Symmons, director of communications at 516-680-8125 or E-mail esymmons@stmary.ws.