PALM BEACH GARDENS | Since becoming president of the National Catholic Educational Association in August 2024, Steven Cheeseman has made it his mission to familiarize himself with dioceses and schools throughout the nation. As part of that effort, he visited schools in the Diocese of Palm Beach March 13.
Accompanied by Maria Del Amo Garcia, newly appointed director of Latino/Hispanic engagement for the NCEA, Cheeseman’s tour included visits to John Carroll High School and St. Anastasia School in Fort Pierce, St. Joseph School in Stuart, and Cardinal Newman High School and Rosarian Academy in West Palm Beach. Between the stops in Stuart and West Palm Beach, they visited the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Palm Beach Gardens and met with Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito.
Leading Cheeseman and Garcia on the tour were Gary Gelo, diocesan superintendent of schools, and Jennifer Trefelner, diocesan director of communications and development. Joining them during the day were John Clarke, associate superintendent, and Katie Kervi, assistant superintendent. Earlier in the week, Cheeseman and Garcia visited the Diocese of St. Augustine.
Referring to his full calendar of visits with the NCEA’s diocesan partners, Cheeseman said, “It’s been an amazing opportunity to get around the country, visiting schools everywhere from Native American reservations to Miami to New England to California. All different kinds of cultures, all different kinds of economic situations, big, small, urban, and, in each of them, there is a tremendous positivity, tremendous enthusiasm for the future of Catholic education.”
He added, “While the stories may be different, they all have a common thread, about the importance of family, the difference that faith makes in the academic process, because it’s the focus on the dignity of every child. That’s the one thing every Catholic school has in common. So, at the end of the day, we begin with the dignity of the child and their giftedness. From that, everything that’s good about Catholic schools flows.”
Cheeseman said that, by the time the NCEA’s national convention begins next month in Orlando, he’ll have visited 21 dioceses to learn about their schools, accomplishments and challenges, and how the NCEA can better serve educators and families. He said, “My goal is really to get to know people and to figure out how can we be a good partner at NCEA as sort of the national voice for Catholic education. How can we strengthen the partnership between us and the schools?”
Prior to his appointment as NCEA president, Cheeseman served as superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, since 2016. He served as interim executive director of the Seton Collaborative in the same diocese before being associate superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, and a teacher/administrator at the elementary and secondary levels.
He holds a doctorate in education leadership and technology from Dowling College in Oakdale, New York, and recently received the Benemerenti Medal, which is a pontifical honor, besides numerous education awards.
Garcia, who earned degrees at Syracuse University and began her NCEA position in February while living in Orlando, said visiting schools in the dioceses of Palm Beach and St. Augustine was a blessed opportunity.
“Being able to just go and visit other dioceses and schools, for me, is a gift,” she said. “What I hope to accomplish at the end of this tour is to be able to identify opportunities to reach the Hispanic and Latino communities, and in the process be able to develop resources that our members can benefit from.”
Posting on LinkedIn, Garcia mentioned the “moments of prayer and community” that “were a reminder of the deep foundation of Catholic education — one that nurtures both the mind and the soul.”
“But the highlight of my week? The smiling faces of our students! Across every school we visited, there was an undeniable spirit of faith, kindness and excellence,” she said.
For more information about Catholic schools in the diocese, visit www.diocesepbschools.org or follow on Facebook and Instagram at “Diocese of Palm Beach, Office of Catholic Schools.” To learn about the National Catholic Educational Association, go to https://ncea.org/.
