Sarah Kerins, Ed.D, can pinpoint the moment she knew she wanted to work in Catholic education.
It was early 2005, and she was coaching athletics at two different public high schools not far from Allentown, Pa. She was encountering students who were suffering from family issues and the stress of everyday life – and finding it difficult to help them without talking about faith.
“That was when I said, ‘I need to consider working in a place where I can talk openly about the Catholic faith because it just permeates everything about my life,’” she said. “Faith is part of the formation of the whole person. I was just really struggling with how to separate that in education.”
Since January, Dr. Kerins has become a familiar face around the Diocese of Camden as assistant superintendent for school services in the Office of Catholic Schools. Among her responsibilities: working closely with the New Jersey Catholic Conference on advocacy concerning government programs and funding that affect Catholic schools; overseeing safety compliance and training; addressing parent and student concerns; and supporting the work of colleagues in school strategic planning, accreditation, curriculum and instruction.
She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., and a master of science degree in educational administration from the University of Scranton. Her career in Catholic education spans 20 years in Pennsylvania as director of school marketing and enrollment for the Diocese of Allentown; principal of both Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School in West Brandywine and Saint Aloysius Parish School in Pottstown; and as a teacher in Sacred Heart School, West Reading as well as the Schuylkill Valley School District in Leesport.
“I think it’s important when we talk about Catholic education to talk about people, too, because people are part of the journey that brings us closer to Christ,” Dr. Kerins said. “Bringing souls to Jesus doesn’t happen only through a program or a curriculum. It happens through relationships.”
That was certainly the case for Dr. Kerins, who grew up in the public school system. “I got a great education, but I craved Catholic mentors.”
Luckily, she said, her parents took seriously their role as the primary educators of the Catholic faith. “My dad didn’t become Catholic officially until I was a senior in high school, but he raised us Catholic. My mom was a significant influence in my spiritual life. She made faith very real and very practical and applicable in every real life context. I think that’s why it has stuck with me.”
Today, Dr. Kerins and her husband live in Downingtown, Pa., and her two children are enrolled in Catholic schools. She has been busy visiting schools throughout the Diocese of Camden and is excited to meet more students, teachers, staff and administrators.
“I really love mentorship, and I’m looking forward to building leaders to the best of my ability.”
To learn more about Dr, Kerins, visit talking.catholicstarherald.org, where she joined a recent Talking Catholic podcast.
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