Evanston Catholic School Hires New Principal

From Pope John XXIII School: Dr. Molly Cinnamon, new principal at Pope John XXIII School, is excited to meet students and parents Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 7:45 AM…the first day of school. The first day of school is always a much-anticipated annual event where students drop off school supplies, find out classroom assignments, meet the teachers, and see their new classrooms. The first day is always a fantastic time for families and students to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. This year’s first day of school will be extra special as new Pope John XXIII principal, Dr. Molly Cinnamon, will be opening the doors to meet and greet students and parents for the very first time. Dr. Cinnamon assumed her new role as principal over the summer and has yet to meet many of Pope John XXIII families. Dr. Cinnamon cannot wait for the school year to get underway and to meet her students and their parents. Dr. Cinnamon emphasized that “getting to know students, families, staff and parishioners is my priority as we begin our year together.”

Dr. Cinnamon comes to Pope John XXIII with 25 years of experience in education, beginning with 14 years teaching elementary general music in the Winnetka Public Schools, followed by six years of administrative leadership in the Glencoe Public Schools. She taught educational leadership courses at National-Louis University, where she completed her graduate work, and that is where she became connected with the Catholic schools, most recently at The School of Saints Faith Hope and Charity in Winnetka. It was there that she was confirmed as a Catholic and witnessed the power and beauty of a faith-based education. Dr. Cinnamon is honored to be leading the dynamic team of teachers and staff at Pope John XXIII.

Pope John XXIII School has a long history in Catholic education in Evanston dating back to 1886 with the establishment of St. Nicholas and St. Mary’s Schools. The original St. Nicholas School was in the building now called the Annex where Fr. Oldershaw Hall is located. The Annex at the present time holds the gym, computer lab, and the music room. The main school building was built in 1954. In 1986 the two schools, St. Mary’s and St. Nicholas consolidated and the new school was renamed Pope John XXIII. This consolidation is a success story for both parishes and for the Archdiocese.

This press release was produced by Pope John XXIII School. The views expressed here are the author's own.