New Catholic school leaders share vision, calling, and value of Catholic education

Nolan Catholic High School President Clint Weber and Principal Susan LoCoco at the Fort Worth school. (NTC/Richard Rodriguez)

This academic year, several schools in the diocese have new leaders at the helm. North Texas Catholic spoke with them about their calling to serve in Catholic schools, their vision for their campuses, and the benefits of Catholic education.

Susan LoCoco, Principal
Nolan Catholic High School

Susan LoCoco went from a decade of serving as a popular math teacher at Nolan Catholic High School to the school’s enthusiastic principal.

“This is the place to be,” she said. “We have a good, strong college preparatory program and our faith-filled teachers do an amazing job.”

LoCoco grew up in a Catholic home in Greenville attending public schools. When she went to college at University of Dallas, she met Catholic students from all around the country. “The knowledge they had was amazing, and I wanted more,” she said.

She and her husband prioritized Catholic education for their five children, who attended St. Andrew Catholic School in Fort Worth. LoCoco didn’t really intend to become an educator, but when her youngest child entered kindergarten at St. Andrew, the principal asked her to teach a fourth-grade class.

“It was wonderful. I taught fourth grade for a year, then moved up to seventh and eighth grade,” she said.

She taught middle school at St. Andrew for 14 years before coming to Nolan to teach, mostly freshman and sophomore students.

She’s seen firsthand the advantages of faith-focused learning.

“Life is hard,” LoCoco said. “Catholic education prepares students not just academically but in faith, morals, respect, and responsibility. They can make good choices based on what they’ve been taught.”

Her vision for Nolan is twofold: for families to feel a sense of belonging and knowing “we’re all in this together,” and to always see the face of God in whatever they do.

“We want our students to know they can make a difference in the world and see the glory in all of God’s creation,” she said. “When you belong to something and you feel the presence of God, the world is a beautiful place.”

Clint Weber, President
Nolan Catholic High School

lint Weber, the new president of Nolan, works closely with LoCoco and is excited about his new role.

“I get to be a part of a great mission at Nolan Catholic High School,” Weber said. “We have a great history of creating strong and sound leaders for our country and community.”

Weber comes to Nolan after five years as president of the Advancement Foundation for the Diocese of Fort Worth.

He was very familiar with the school as his daughter just graduated from Nolan and is now a freshman in college.

Weber appreciates the calling to help young Catholics become stronger in their faith through sacraments like weekly Mass and solid theological teaching.

As a community, he wants Nolan students and staff to “be the best we can possibly be, strive for greatness, and live authentic Catholic lives.”

Before serving at the diocese, Weber spent 16 years as a naval aviator in the U.S. Marine Corps and six years in private equity and asset management.

His time in the military gave him a solid foundation in leadership, but now his sense of purpose is stronger than ever: “The Catholic Church has the best mission on Earth.”

Amber Fuhrmann, Principal
St. Mary Catholic School

Amber Fuhrmann credits “divine intervention” for leading her to the role of principal at St. Mary Catholic School in Gainesville.

Fuhrmann recently retired after 28 years in public education, first teaching then serving in administration, wrapping up her career as a principal in West Texas before moving to Gainesville.

The chance to work at St. Mary brought her out of retirement.

She said after working in eight different school districts in public education, St. Mary is the best of all the schools where she has worked.

“Everyone is very supportive and we’re truly a family here,” she said. “The kids are amazing. They blow me away on a daily basis.”

Established in 1891, St. Mary has a rich tradition. One teacher is the fourth generation of her family to teach at St. Mary.

“We have a strong history of academics, family values, belief in God, and being an active and positive influence in the community,” Fuhrmann said.

Fuhrmann treasures the opportunity to serve in a Catholic school.

“We’re able to bring God into every conversation, every subject and behavior,” she said. “We can pray at any time throughout the day.”

Fuhrmann said Catholic education helps students “have a deeper understanding of our God” and gives them tools to strengthen their faith and bless others.

“Society is very challenging with social media,” she said. “We want to protect and prepare them and give them a strong ability to talk about their faith.”

Julianna McConegly, Principal
Cassata Catholic High School

Julianna McConegly feels blessed to be the new principal at Cassata Catholic High School in Fort Worth.

“I love being able to serve students who have been overlooked or who have challenges and help them to achieve goals they didn’t even realize were possible,” McConegly said.

With about 120 students, Cassata offers a close community setting where students receive individualized instruction and learn at their own pace.

McConegly said, “The majority of people in the diocese haven’t heard of Cassata, or they think we’re just a school for bad kids. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Cassata caters to kids who may not fit in traditional schools. They may have learning differences, social-emotional struggles, health challenges, or a demanding work schedule.

Some students attend for just a semester or two while others complete their high school education.

“We help students with goals and college planning or just help them plan for life,” McConegly said.

Students who graduate from Cassata get preparation for college, trade school, the military, or the workforce, whatever their goals happen to be.

The faculty is close-knit and connected with students, who learn to have each other’s backs, she said.

Cassata has open enrollment throughout the year, welcoming students who may be struggling in a traditional high school. The school has a group that makes sure every new student meets other people and has someone to sit with.

McConegly grew up attending St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Keller and Nolan before attending Oklahoma State University.

After teaching in both public and private schools, she appreciates the benefits of Catholic education.

Many Cassata students are not Catholic, but they appreciate the faith aspects of the curriculum, with some even asking the theology teacher how to become Catholic, McConegly said.

“Catholic education really gives students a foundation to make good choices, grow in character, live with intention, and live in community,” she said.