Bethel Resident Dr. Patrick Higgins Appointed Immaculate High School Principal

Dr. Patrick D. Higgins, a Bethel resident, will assume the post of school Principal of Immaculate High School on July 1.

Dr. Higgins will take the seat of former Principal Joe Carmen, who resigned from the position during the summer of 2016 to take a position as the Director of Leadership Development at Quinnipiac University.  School President Mary R. Maloney assumed the role as Interim Principal this past year.

One of Dr. Higgins’ academic goals is to continue building stronger partnerships with area Catholic elementary schools - especially in relation to the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.  “This also applies to Catholic and public universities in our region, and along with our excellent and dedicated faculty and staff we will continue to make Immaculate High School a leader in curricular innovation, instructional delivery and educational excellence for our students and their families while providing an outstanding Catholic educational experience that will last a lifetime," he said.

“I am excited and honored to have been selected as the new Principal of Immaculate High School, and look forward to getting to know the students, parents, faculty and staff that comprise the wonderful IHS family,” Dr. Higgins said. “Immaculate High School has a proud legacy of academic excellence, spiritual and moral development and recognition of the necessity of service to others in our communities. These strong tenets have served Immaculate High School students and their families well for the past 55 years, and will continue to do so now and in the future,” he added.  

Dr. Higgins, Ed.D. is a Professionally Certified Connecticut Public Educator with endorsements in Social Studies and Grades Pre-K - 12 School Administration. From 1991 to 2011, Dr. Higgins taught college preparatory, advanced and AP Social Studies courses at Ridgefield High School, and from 2011-2013 served as the Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities at Joel Barlow High School in Redding.  Dr. Higgins holds a B.S. in Justice and Law Administration, an M.A. in History and International Relations, as well as an Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership and Education Psychology from Western Connecticut State University in addition to a professional teacher certification from Sacred Heart University including State administrative licensure. As Principal of St. Jude School in Monroe, Dr. Higgins was responsible for administrative operations that included serving as a teaching principal and instructional leader for his colleagues.

“We are extremely grateful to have a qualified, experienced and devoted individual joining us at Immaculate. Dr. Higgins is a visionary leader with an exceptional passion to provide every student an opportunity to become responsible moral leaders of the next generation,” said Mary R. Maloney, President of Immaculate High School.  “On behalf of the entire school community, I offer my thanks to all those who served on the principal search committee this past year.  I know that their efforts have afforded Immaculate students a successful future.”

Dr. Higgins and his wife Tammy, a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner at Danbury Hospital, have resided in Bethel for 26 years and are parishioners of St. Mary Church. They have two grown children, Patrick and Katlyn. For the past 27 years Dr. Higgins has been a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Pavia Council # 48.

“Dr. Higgins has demonstrated success as a teacher and leader at the high school and elementary school levels in both the public and private sector. Most importantly, he is a man of tremendous faith. I believe that he will work collaboratively with the rest of the leadership team to further the mission, vision and future of Immaculate High School,” said Dr. Steven Cheeseman, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Immaculate High School is a private, non-profit Catholic college-preparatory institution serving students from 28 communities in Connecticut and New York. Founded in 1962, Immaculate High School also allows students to focus on their spiritual development, personal moral commitments and service to others.  Located in Danbury, CT, Immaculate High School is part of the Diocese of Bridgeport’s parochial school system.

 

 

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Submitted by Newtown, CT

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