By Michael Gresham
The Texas Catholic

With a deep-rooted passion for Catholic education, Jeannette Lambert joins the Diocese of Dallas Catholic Schools Office’s administrative team with a commitment to helping foster the growth of vibrant, faith-filled school communities.

Lambert began Aug. 19 as the new associate superintendent for operational vitality for the Diocese of Dallas Catholic Schools. In this role, Lambert supports Dr. Rebecca Hammel, superintendent, in the day-to-day oversight of the Catholic schools within the diocese, focusing on operational vitality and growth.

“My role is to support the business operations of the schools in areas such as financial management, security, and strategic planning,” Lambert said, adding that the goal is to help envision what schools could look like in the future as well as sustain schools’ operations. “We want to ensure that Catholic education is available for any family that wishes to send their children to Catholic schools in the Diocese of Dallas.”

Lambert looks to achieve this goal by working closely with Catholic school administrators throughout the diocese.

“We want to look for opportunities where the Catholic Schools Office can help principals and support the work they are doing,” Lambert said.

An educator for nearly three decades, Lambert began as a coordinator for religious education and a school counselor in southern California. Her most recent work involved heading up a large Catholic school in Yorba Linda, Calif. Her experience as a Catholic school principal drives her to want to help other school administrators.

“I know how hard that job can be; you are pulled in so many different directions,” Lambert said. “To be able to provide support from the Catholic Schools Office can be critical to the success of their work, and I’m excited to be able to help.”

Growing up in California, Lambert attended Catholic schools from first through eighth grade. That experience has fueled her passion for Catholic education, inspiring her to return to Catholic schools after a career in business and public service work.

“When I decided to become a school counselor, I knew that I wanted to provide that service in a Catholic education environment,” she said. “Coming back to my roots, I understood what a gift it is to provide support for students and to work in Catholic schools. I just really fell in love with the work.”

Lambert said that with Catholic education, the dedicated staff and faculty within school communities can make a special, faith-filled impact upon students and families.

“We can assure parents that we’re going to focus on Catholic values that are really aligned with the mission of the Church,” she explained. “Parents are the primary educators of their children, and in Catholic schools, we educate the whole child.”

Lambert comes to the Diocese of Dallas at a time when Catholic school enrollment has increased with more than 14,000 students enrolled in the 36 Catholic schools in the nine counties served in the Diocese of Dallas. Lambert said that growth and vibrance for Catholic education within the diocese appealed to her.

“What I love about the Diocese of Dallas is that there is a passion for Catholic education,” she said. “There is a commitment to keeping schools open and to serving the needs of the underserved. I’m excited to be a part of that growth.”

In her new role, Lambert will collaborate closely with the Diocese of Dallas Catholic Schools Office’s other associate superintendent, Dr. Veronica Alonzo, who moves into the role of associate superintendent for academic excellence, a strategic maneuver in Hammel’s plan to align the work of the Catholic Schools Office with the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Elementary and Secondary Catholic Schools.

Hammel praised Lambert’s addition to the diocesan team, calling Lambert’s experience in school administration and her strategic leadership in operational vitality inspiring to educators and administrators alike.

“Her vision for combining instructive innovation with effective operational practices will greatly benefit our schools and communities,” Hammel said. “Her appointment reflects our commitment to harnessing the potential of positive thinkers as we continue to enhance and expand Catholic education throughout the Diocese of Dallas.”