St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Middle School is delighted to announce that Teresa Caserta has been chosen as the new principal for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year. Previously, starting in 2021, Caserta held the position of assistant principal at Aquinas. Additionally, she possesses over 13 years of teaching experience and seven years of administrative experience with the Canton City School District.
Caserta holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Mount Union and a Master's in Educational Administration from Ashland University. Prior to joining Aquinas, Caserta served as a principal and founder of the Bulldog Virtual Academy, a newly established virtual academy within the Canton City Schools. She also served as principal at Harter Reading and Math Preparatory School in Canton for seven years. Caserta's teaching experience encompasses various subjects such as language arts, social studies, and literacy, and she has worked with Title 1 and special needs students.
Caserta possesses extensive training and expertise in fostering strong academic performance, establishing effective learning environments, and promoting student success. She is credentialed in the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System and has developed techniques for professional development for teachers and administrators. Caserta has represented the Stark County CARE TEAM at the district level and has undergone training in crisis prevention, de-escalation techniques, trauma support for students, and positive behavioral intervention and support.
During her time at Aquinas, Caserta has expressed her commitment to upholding the safe, positive, and effective learning environment that families have come to expect at the school. She aims to further the school's mission of Truth, Scholarship, and Excellence through her effective leadership, collaboration with school improvement teams, multicultural awareness, gender sensitivity, and appreciation for racial and ethnic diversity. Continual professional development is also a priority for Caserta to ensure the STA community operates at its best.
"I am proud that I have been able to contribute my experience and knowledge to St. Thomas Aquinas over these past two years as assistant principal," Caserta stated. "I am very honored and excited to now lead this community, and our Knights, through the next school year. I am looking forward to working with all of our incoming and returning students and families."
President Rev. Don King expressed his appreciation for Mrs. Caserta accepting this position stating, "We are very happy to have Mrs. Caserta leading us this coming school year. She has shown generous dedication to our faculty, staff, and students during the past two years, and we look forward to what is to come for our school community."
Caserta resides in Alliance with her husband and two children. They are active members of Regina Coeli Catholic Church in Alliance.