Renewed Vision: Academically Excellent

A Joint Statement from the Office of the Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish 
and the Office of the Head of School of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

We are very pleased to announce that Ms. Theresa Hebert has joined the administrative team at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in the newly created position of Dean of Academics. Theresa began her journey with us on July 1, 2022, and has worked closely with our Head of School, Mrs. Joan Kathmann, to nurture the mission and ministry of Catholic education at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School (SEAS).

In keeping with the perennial philosophy and theology that is the intellectual heritage of every Christian, SEAS seeks to carry on the living tradition of authentic Catholic education. Education must not seek simply to impart knowledge of the various disciplines, but more importantly should give students the tools whereby they can live a meaningful life, continue to gain knowledge through their individual study, and learn to see all knowledge and truth through the lens of our Catholic faith, for “all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible” (Col 1:16) through Jesus Christ. These tools will include the ability to reason from premise to conclusion, to distinguish, to articulate well, and to persuade. These educational techniques, which have produced the outstanding men and women who have fashioned our world in the last two millennia, surely will continue to produce graduates who are capable of excellence in all areas of life, fully armed to meet the challenges of the third millennium. 

As the Dean of Academics, Theresa is responsible for the academic leadership in the school and accountable for creating and implementing a rigorous, high school-preparatory curriculum and support systems. Theresa will be tasked with strengthening our instructional programs through a strategically planned, standards-based approach with a focus on narrowing achievement gaps. She will create and maintain an innovative program of early childhood/elementary studies that conforms to the school’s mission and philosophy, as well as Archdiocesan and State standards. Finally, she will work with the outstanding SEAS faculty to ensure a proper integration of the Catholic faith into all areas of study so that our students might become truly wise, seeing all things in light of their highest and first cause and final end, the Most Holy Trinity. As the Dean of Academics, Theresa also assumes the responsibilities of the Assistant Head of School.

SEAS sets high, yet attainable, academic expectations for its students. Not only is solid intellectual formation integral to the development of a person but it is also essential to forming great leaders. As a result of his/her studies in academic subjects and co-curricular activities, a graduate of SEAS should acquire:

• A wealth of knowledge in general culture and the particular disciplines; an understanding of the roots and underpinnings of his or her own national culture, history, and western ideals; a firm grounding in math and the sciences, and in the scientific method.

• An ability to think, speak, and write clearly, coherently, precisely, attractively, and persuasively.
• A capacity for reflection and imagination, as well as those technological and inquiry skills intrinsic to the exact and social sciences.
• A critical mind that can tell right from wrong, fact from fiction, truth from opinion
• Experience and ease in public speaking, debate, and declamation.
• Habits and dispositions essential for ongoing intellectual formation after graduation including study habits, concentration and critical thinking, perseverance, and a desire to produce high-quality work.
• A knowledge of the Catholic Faith: the Church’s doctrines, as well as Her traditions, history and beauty.
• A Catholic worldview in which the spiritual and transcendent become manifest through the good, true, and beautiful of this world.

As the Dean of Academics, Theresa will work with our teachers, faculty, and staff to facilitate the formation of our children’s intellects in alignment with the mission of Christ and in partnership with our parents and Church community.

Theresa served as the Principal of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School (Metairie, LA) and has previously served as a middle school Math teacher at St. Philip Neri Catholic School (Metairie, LA). She has teaching experience in both math and science in the public school system in both Baton Rouge and Abbeville. Theresa holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from LSU (Baton Rouge, LA) as well as a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Holy Cross (New Orleans, LA). She was the recipient of the Outstanding Student in Educational Leadership Award from the University of Holy Cross. Theresa has one daughter, Gabriella, entering 5th grade at SEAS.

As Theresa notes: “I am excited to continue my journey as a school administrator at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. We never know on what path the Lord will lead us, and I am truly honored to be joining the faith-filled community of SEAS. Thank you to Fr. Cooper and Mrs. Kathmann for welcoming me as I begin my new role. I look forward to getting to know everyone and working with the faculty and staff of SEAS. It is with great enthusiasm and anticipation that I enter the role of Dean of Academics and look forward to an exciting new year ahead.”  

Join us in welcoming Theresa to our Divine Mercy/SEAS family! Let us hold each other in prayer in this time of transition and new beginnings. 

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Fr. Robert T. Cooper, Pastor
Divine Mercy Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School

Mrs. Joan Kathmann, Head of School
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School