“As a well-respected visionary leader, Ms. Neil has established networks of collaboration that support our school’s compelling mission, academic excellence and operational vitality. Her effective school leadership and commitment to our students, teachers and parents are immeasurable. The school community is very blessed to have Ms. Neil serve as our Principal,” said Mary R. Maloney, President of Immaculate High School. Principal Neil first came to Immaculate in 2013 as a teacher of AP US Government, International Relations and Social Studies. Now an administrator, she also continues to lead the school’s Model UN and Mock Trial teams, is the IHS Social Studies Department Chair and is a member of the Diocese of Bridgeport’s Innovative Teacher Committee. Her relationship with faculty and being a parent of IHS students helps her understand the needs of the teachers, students and parents. “I would like to think my relationship with faculty is genuine. I understand that it is their dedication and selflessness that creates the foundation of our mission with our students. My focus is for them to feel
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supported and confident that leadership has provided them with the tools to practice their craft,” she said. Even while having the support of the staff and overall school community, Principal Neil’s first year did not go as planned. Besides the daily responsibilities of a principal and the learning-curve, Principal Neil had to help everyone navigate the surprise pandemic. “My first year as Principal has been anything from what I ever studied from a textbook, but true to what I learned from my days in the classroom. In education you have to be flexible and always be guided by what is best for the students and teachers and ultimately it will be what is best for the school. You have to predict what is to come and react to what is presented at the moment,”
Wendy Neil , Joe DeMaida and Mary Maloney having fun with a dress down day wearing the students uniform!
says Principal Neil. Her flexibility and hard work allowed Immaculate to quickly and efficiently transfer from being an on-campus high school to an on-line academic program. As a result of her guidance and collaboration with faculty, students received their full college-preparatory, faith-based education from the first day of closure to the end of the year. All students attended e-school daily, meeting with their peers and teachers on a regular and daily schedule. They had regular access to their counselors, the school nurse and the school therapist. Students were even able to meet with their clubs, participate in “gym class,” hold art shows and coffeehouses
