St. Gregory Catholic School latest to get young principal
Butler Catholic School is not the only diocesan school in the county to acquire a young principal with fresh ideas.
Nathan Rossman, 32, will be the face in the big office at St. Gregory Catholic School in Zelienople this fall.
Rossman was hired in July to lead the school upon the promotion of former principal Erin Rice to manager of schools in the southern region of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese.
“I feel like even though my youth can be looked at as a disadvantage, I look at it as an advantage,” he said.
John Hazur, 33, was hired in July as Butler Catholic School principal.
Rossman said the benefits of him as principal are fresh ideas and boundless energy coupled with an old soul.
“I feel as if I’m a mature 32,” he said.
Still, he is not afraid to get in touch with his whimsical side when it comes to the school.
Rossman sat on the collapsible board in the dunk tank at this summer’s Divine Grace Parish Festival, of which St. Gregory Catholic Church is a part.
“I dressed in a shark outfit,” he said. “I encouraged students, parents, staff and parishioners to dunk me.”
Rossman said staff at St. Gregory has gone out of its way to welcome him to the school.
“They have accepted me with open arms and embraced me as one of their own,” he said. “We are one big, happy family, and I want us to continue to be that.”
Regarding goals for St. Gregory, Rossman said he wants the school to be a vital part of the community.
Academically, he will strive to continue the school’s recent tradition of scoring above national averages in reading and writing.
Rossman will continue to provide rigor in math and other subjects at St. Gregory, which educates students in preschool through eighth grade.
“I’ve inherited a very good school here, and I want to maintain the excellence that already is here,” he said.
As a child, Rossman attended Catholic school in the Altoona area and graduated from Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and will begin classes at Carlow University this fall to work toward his principal’s certificate.
Rossman expects to receive that in summer 2024.
He taught middle school science at various Catholic schools, including St. Therese in Munhall and one in San Antonio, Texas, before coming to St. Gregory.
“It was a calling,” Rossman said of his decision to teach at a Catholic school. “God continued to knock at the door, and I answered.”
The Rev. James Wehner, pastor at Divine Grace Parish, said parish leaders were honored that Rice was promoted within the diocese and wanted to consider a principal who appreciated the history and culture of the school, the excellence of faculty and staff, the dedication of St. Gregory parents and alumni to the school, and its distinct Catholic identity.
Wehner said the search committee, which was comprised of teachers, parents and alumni, provided him with three outstanding candidates for the principal position.
“After interviewing the candidates, I was pleased that Nathan accepted the position,” Wehner said. “His familiarity with the Catholic schools in our diocese, his appreciation of who we are as a school community, and his own vision will allow St. Gregory School to continue thriving as a faith-filled school and one that strives for excellence,” Wehner said in a statement.
St. Gregory Catholic School has 205 students, a 15-1 student-teacher ratio.
The school was founded in 1906.
