For Immediate Release to the Press
April 4, 2016
Contact: Sr. Terry Davis 209.466.0636
Director of Communications, Diocese of Stockton
BISHOP BLAIRE ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR FOR SCHOOLS*
Bishop Stephen Blaire is pleased to announce that he has appointed Marian DeGroot Graham to serve as Director for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Stockton beginning on July 1, 2016. Ms. Graham has a rich professional background, with over 30 years in education, including a successful history with the Diocese of Stockton as teacher and principal. She has a demonstrated dedication to providing quality Catholic education for the students in our schools.
Ms. Graham began her career as a teacher at St. Bernard School in Tracy, followed by seven years as principal at Sacred Heart School in Patterson. After moving to South East Asia in 2001, Ms. Graham served as principal at Singapore American School. Since her return to the Diocese of Stockton in 2014, she has been principal at St. Stanislaus School in Modesto. In accepting the Director for Schools position in the Diocese of Stockton, Ms. Graham follows in the footsteps of her uncle Msgr. James DeGroot, who served as superintendent in the early 1970’s.
Ms. Graham holds a Masters degree in Educational Administration from St. Mary’s College of Moraga, California as well as a Bachelor’s degree from the same institution. She also holds three California certifications: Professional Clear Multiple Subjects Credential, Professional Clear Single Subject Credential: English (NTE), and Professional Clear Administrative Credential.
“The Catholic schools in the Diocese of Stockton will continue to work closely with Notre Dame University in providing the finest educational experiences for our students in two Catholic High Schools and eleven parish elementary schools”, Bishop Blaire said, as he welcomed Ms. Graham.
Bishop Blaire also acknowledged gratitude to Carla Donaldson for serving
as interim Director for Catholic Schools since September 2014, with a particular focus on coordinating the efforts of the University of Notre Dame to support our schools with educational initiatives and professional development.
*The title “Director for Catholic Schools” has replaced the title “Superintendent” in the Diocese of Stockton.