In the next several weeks OC Catholic will be featuring new principals at Diocese of Orange Catholic schools.
The Diocese of Orange is pleased to announce new principals who will be leading several Catholic schools. These educational leaders bring strong credentials and extensive expertise in education to the Diocese of Orange Catholic schools.
Sts. Simon and Jude, Huntington Beach
Dr. Colette Marie O’Bannion
Dr. O’Bannion comes to Sts. Simon and Jude after serving as Assistant Principal at Holy Spirit School in the Diocese of San Jose. “My amazing mother was a Catholic school teacher for 35 years. Witnessing her lead young people spiritually and academically inspired me to follow in her footsteps,” Dr. O’Bannion said.
In addition to her experience at Holy Spirit School, Dr. O’Bannion served as the Director of Professional Development at Monticello Academy in Santa Clara. She created, planned, and facilitated all teacher training and workshops. She was also one of the key stakeholders for Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accreditation Process.
Dr. O’Bannion received her B.A. in Speech Communication from Cal State University Long Beach, her M.A., in Teaching and Learning from Santa Clara University, and her doctorate in Education from Chapman University. She has Academy of Blended Learning Certification and is a Drexel School Administrator. While at Chapman, Dr. O’Bannion took a research assignment for Project SMART and the Read-Write Cycle Project. She was also a leader, trainer, and facilitator for all K-12 Standards-Based Educational Programs at the Disneyland Resort with programs that include: Animation Magic, California, Here I Come!, Leadership in Action: Pursuit of Excellence, World of Physics: Energy and Waves, and World of Physics: Properties of Motion.
When Dr. O’Bannion is not at work, she enjoys performing in musicals, traveling, reading, spending time with family and friends, and serving as a board member for two nonprofits (Youth Focus, Inc. and Children’s Musical Theater San Jose).
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School, Rancho Santa Margarita
Alison Daley
Alison Daley returns to St. Junipero Serra School after being a principal at St. Polycarp in Stanton, where she led the school to achieve Blended Learning Universe (BLU) that is recognized internationally. Daley looks forward to being a principal for Grades 5-8 at St. Junipero Serra and leading, alongside Principal Carol Reiss (Preschool – Grade 4) and President Angeline Trudell.
Daley has been a Catholic school educator for 24 years. “My father and mother, both life-long educators, empowered me to embrace my faith in God as the driving force in my life and ministry in Catholic education,” she said.
Daley received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California San Diego, her M.A. in Educational Counseling from the University of San Diego, and her M.Ed. in Cross Cultural Teaching from National University. When she is not working, Daley loves spending time with her husband Tim and her three daughters. She also enjoys going to the beach and ocean swimming.