July 10, 2018

Catholic elementary school taps St. Pius X Assistant Principal for Role
 
St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam will welcome a new principal for the 2018-19 school year, as Nicole Ramsdill, an experienced Catholic school educator, assumes her duties as principal on August 1, 2018.
 
Ms. Ramsdill taught at St. Ambrose School in Latham from 2002 to 2016. She has spent her entire career working at Catholic schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, and was most recently assistant principal at St. Pius X School, pre-kindergarten through grade 8, in Loudonville.
 
“Nicole is a committed Catholic school educator who will bring many gifts to SMI and the larger Catholic community of Amsterdam,” said Father Jeffrey L’Arche, pastor of St. Mary’s Church. “We are excited to welcome her to our school to lead our students, faculty and staff, and partner with our parents.”
 
A Ballston Lake resident, Ms. Ramsdill earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education and literacy from The Sage Colleges. She received her degree in administration and School Building/District Leader certification from The College of Saint Rose in 2016.
 
Ms. Ramdill succeeds SMI’s previous principal, Ms. Maureen Daurio, who went on to accept the principal position at Blessed Sacrament School in Albany, a school where she once taught prior to coming to Amsterdam.
 
“It is always a great joy to see one of our own educators advance in their careers while remaining in the Diocese’s Catholic School program,” said Giovanni Virgiglio, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Albany. “As the school I once led, SMI will always have a special place in my heart, and Nicole has proven herself as an inspiring, faith-filled teacher and administrator who puts her students first.”
 
“I am excited to have been selected as the new leader of St. Mary’s Institute,” Ms. Ramsdill said.  “Catholic education has served an important role in my life. I am honored to become principal of a school with such rich history and tremendous opportunity, where I can continue to nourish a faith-based educational experiences that prepares students for the future.”