Sacred Heart Greenwich is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mrs. Caitlin O’Neill as the Head of Lower School, effective July 1, 2024, following an extensive nationwide search. A dedicated educator and alumna of Convent of the Sacred Heart 91st Street, O’Neill brings with her fourteen years of experience from Convent of the Sacred Heart, 91st Street in New York City. Her roles there included teaching positions in First Grade, Second Grade, and Fourth Grade, Lower School Math Specialist, and Lower School Curriculum Developer, as well as Lower School Dean of Academic and Faculty Development.
In her new role at Sacred Heart Greenwich, O’Neill is poised to drive innovation and collaboration, fostering a community rooted in critical thinking, curiosity, faith, and a genuine love for learning. Collaborating closely with the Heads of Middle and Upper School, she will define the identity of the Lower School, nurturing cohesive relationships from early childhood through 12th grade. A passionate leader, O’Neill is dedicated to cultivating joyful learning, promoting a supportive and growth-oriented environment aligned with the school's mission, and reinforcing the Goals and Criteria. With a proven track record of success, she brings enthusiasm to engage and a commitment to prioritize the ongoing evaluation and refinement of curriculum and pedagogy. Her focus includes expanding opportunities for competency-based learning, differentiated instruction, and interdisciplinary experiences, ensuring a holistic and enriching educational experience for all students.
"We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Caitlin O’Neill as the Head of Lower School at Sacred Heart Greenwich," said Mr. Michael Baber, President. "Caitln’s diverse roles in classroom teaching, curriculum development, and leadership, both academic and spiritual, uniquely position her to enhance our commitment to academic excellence and student development. We express our sincere gratitude to Kathleen Dunn '73, P '10, '11, a dedicated alumna and educator who has devoted 47 years of exemplary service to Sacred Heart Greenwich, for stepping into the Interim Head of Lower School role this year and for her committed leadership to the Lower School."
As the Lower School Curriculum Developer and Lower School Dean of Academics and Faculty Development at Convent of the Sacred Heart, 91st Street, O’Neill demonstrated extensive expertise in the creation and implementation of curriculum mapping. She orchestrated grade-level teams, leading professional development initiatives and refining and introducing programs such as the Associate Teacher Mentoring Program and the On-Boarding Program for all faculty and staff. O’Neill's adept leadership and organizational skills, combined with her experience as a teacher in First Grade, Second Grade, and Fourth Grade, as well as the Lower School Math Specialist, bring valuable insights to Sacred Heart Greenwich as the Head of Lower School.
"As an alumna of a Sacred Heart school, I am honored to continue to serve the Network as the new Head of Lower School at Sacred Heart Greenwich," said Caitlin O'Neill. "Having experienced the transformative impact of a Sacred Heart education firsthand—as a high school student and later as an educator— I am committed to fostering an environment where our students not only succeed, but they thrive both academically and as a whole person. Each and every child has her own set of unique gifts, and it is our job, through the guidance of the Goals and Criteria, to help her uncover those gifts and share them with the world. I look forward to guiding the next generation of strong, compassionate, and empowered women as they discover their potential and contribute meaningfully to our larger global community."
O'Neill holds a Master of Education in Private School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University, New York, NY, a Master of Science in Teaching with Dual Certification in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from Fordham Graduate School of Education, New York, NY, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fordham College at Rose Hill, Bronx, NY. She is an alumna of Convent of the Sacred Heart, 91st Street. O’Neill lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband and three daughters.
Click below to watch the video!