Camden educator named principal of the year

Photo by James A. McBride

Fran Montgomery, principal of St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral School, East Camden, holds the Principal of the Year award. Also pictured are, from left, Sister Karen Dietrich, executive director, Catholic Partnership Schools; Mary Boyle, superintendent of Schools; and Msgr. Robert T. McDermott.

CAMDEN — Fran Montgomery was chosen as Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Office of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Camden.

Principal of St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral School for the past six years, she received the honor at an awards ceremony held at St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral, East Camden, on Tuesday, April 3.

“It is a great honor and privilege to be at St. Joseph’s and to work in Camden,” Montgomery said. “I wouldn’t be able to do my job without the help of a fantastic staff. It’s great to get up each morning to go to work. And I have the great support of our pastor, Msgr. Robert T McDermott, and many, many others at the school.”

Montgomery was graduated from college in 1973 but stayed home to raise her children. She has five children and four grandchildren. In 1982 she began teaching pre-school while still raising her children. In 1990 she went to St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral School where she taught the first grade and computers, later teaching the second grade, and finally becoming principal in 2006.

“My specialty has always been reading,” Montgomery said. “I’m certified to teach kindergarten through the eighth grade and certified for pre-school through the second grade. I also have a master’s in education leadership.”

School superintendent Mary Boyle said the Office of Catholic Schools chooses the principal of the year by the qualities of dedication and commitment to the mission and ministry of Catholic education.

“When one enters St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral School,” Boyle said, “you are immediately struck with the reverence and awe that are shown to each child. Fran exemplifies the motto: ‘Jesus is the reason for the school.’”