We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Rose Hershenov has joined Saints Peter & Paul (SSPP) School as our new Headmistress. Dr. Hershenov brings a warm heart, a brilliant mind, and a deeply faithful spirit to our school community. With her at the helm, we are confident that SSPP will continue to flourish as a place “where faith meets education” – nurturing not only strong minds but also kind hearts and spirited souls. Please join us in giving her a very warm welcome!
A Leader with Heart, Vision, and Service
Dr. Hershenov’s leadership style can be summed up in two words: compassionate and visionary. As a seasoned educator and a mother of four children, she understands the hopes and concerns of parents and the needs of students on a personal level. She leads by example with a servant-leadership approach – much like the example of Christ, she believes in leading by serving. This means you’ll often find her listening intently to a teacher’s new idea, chatting with students about their day, or working hand-in-hand with staff to make our school even better. Her philosophy echoes the belief that a true leader “uses power in service of others, empowering and developing those around her.”
What does this look like at SSPP? It means Dr. Hershenov is committed to building a strong, supportive community within our school. She values each teacher’s gifts and each student’s unique personality. Parents can expect an open door and a welcoming smile – she is eager to partner with you and hear your insights. Students can expect to see her not just in the front office, but visiting classrooms, cheering on school events, and celebrating each child’s accomplishments. With Dr. Hershenov’s caring and inclusive spirit, every family at SSPP will feel seen, heard, and valued as part of the SSPP family.
Expertise in Classical Education
One of the qualities that makes Dr. Hershenov such an exciting addition to SSPP is her deep expertise in classical education. She is a true champion of the classical liberal arts tradition, which is at the heart of SSPP’s curriculum. In fact, Dr. Hershenov holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy, so she brings a scholar’s passion for wisdom and critical thinking to our halls. She has taught formal Logic to young students and even served as a professor of philosophy at the university level, giving her a unique perspective on how to prepare our children for future academic success. Her breadth of experience – from tutoring in homeschool cooperatives to teaching high school and college courses – means she understands the whole journey of learning and what each stage of a child’s education needs.
Under Dr. Hershenov’s guidance, SSPP will continue to excel in offering a true classical education. What does that mean for your child? It means an education that emphasizes the pursuit of wisdom and virtue by teaching students how to think deeply and critically. Dr. Hershenov is devoted to the time-tested trivium approach – strengthening young learners’ foundations in grammar and language, guiding them to logical thinking as they grow, and finally empowering them to express themselves eloquently as they mature. We are excited to introduce Latin as part of our curriculum in the future, and with her expertise, it will be thoughtfully incorporated into our classical program.
Most importantly, Dr. Hershenov believes learning should inspire joy and wonder. With her at the lead, you can expect your children to engage with great books and big ideas, to ask questions and seek answers, and to develop not just skills for high school, but a lifelong love of learning. She often notes that classical education is about forming the whole person – mind and character – and this is exactly what she will continue to foster at SSPP. Our students will be encouraged to seek truth, cherish goodness, and admire beauty in every lesson. In Dr. Hershenov, we have a leader who not only understands classical education deeply, but lives it – she even chose this path for her own children’s education, a testament to her belief in its effectiveness.
Guided by Faith and Values
At the core of Dr. Hershenov’s mission is her steadfast faith. She is a devout Catholic who sees education as a true vocation – a calling to serve God by serving students and families. Her leadership is faith-based in the fullest sense: every decision, every program, and every interaction is rooted in Christian love and the Catholic values of our school. She and her family have been deeply involved in the local Catholic community for years, actively participating in parish life and local faith-based service projects. This personal dedication to living the faith shines through in her approach to leading SSPP.
Dr. Hershenov understands that a Catholic school is more than academics; it’s a spiritual community. As headmistress, she embraces her role as a spiritual leader on campus, guiding our children not only to academic excellence, but also toward a closer relationship with Christ. She is eager to pray with our students, celebrate Mass together, and weave our shared faith into the everyday life of the school. Whether it’s starting the day with a prayer, encouraging acts of kindness and service, or highlighting the examples of saints and heroes in the curriculum, Dr. Hershenov will ensure that faith illuminates learning at SSPP.
Parents, you can feel confident that under Dr. Hershenov’s care, our school’s Catholic identity will continue to grow ever stronger. She is committed to nurturing an environment where virtues like empathy, integrity, and respect are not only taught but practiced daily. Students will see in her a role model of kindness and courage, and someone who challenges them to be their best selves both in and out of the classroom. In short, Dr. Hershenov’s approach to education is holistic – attending to mind, body, and spirit – so that our children grow in knowledge, character, and faith all at once.
Looking Ahead with Joy and Confidence
With Dr. Rose Hershenov leading Saints Peter & Paul School, we are filled with excitement for the future. Her blend of kind leadership, classical expertise, and faith-filled dedication promises to enrich our beloved school in countless ways.
As we embark on this new chapter, let us remember that we are all partners in this beautiful mission of Catholic education. Dr. Hershenov’s message to all of us is one of hope and collaboration. She believes that by working together – supporting one another as teachers, parents, parishioners, and neighbors – we can give our children an education that truly shapes their minds, hearts, and souls for the better.
Once again, welcome Dr. Rose Hershenov to Saints Peter & Paul School! May God bless her leadership as she guides our school family to “seek truth, cherish goodness, and embody beauty” each day. We look forward to the many blessings and achievements to come.
Thank you for welcoming Dr. Hershenov with open arms. Here’s to a bright and faith-filled journey ahead for SSPP!
