Thursday, October 1, 2026
For Diane Gorman, becoming principal of St. Agnes Cathedral School is more than the next step in a career spanning more than 30 years in education. It is a return to the Catholic-school environment that has shaped her entire life — and an opportunity to help guide a school with a rich history and traditions into its next chapter.
Gorman officially became principal on Aug. 1, succeeding Cecilia St. John, whom she praised for helping make the transition as seamless as possible. She said she feels honored to take on the role, and wants to build on what is already working at St. Agnes.
“The incredible foundation that St. Agnes already has — it has an amazing history, it has amazing traditions,” Gorman said. “I feel like I just want to be a part of it. I want to help it grow.”
The school’s search began in May, when Gorman, who was principal of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy, in East Elmhurst, Queens, last year, received an email about the opening. She subsequently met with Father Michael F. Duffy, rector of the Cathedral of St. Agnes; the search committee; and Associate Pastor Christopher Heller before being introduced to St. John and Assistant Principal Mary Brower.
In announcing Gorman’s appointment to St. Agnes families in a June 15 letter, Duffy highlighted her experience and leadership.
“Throughout the interview process, she impressed us not only with her experience and leadership ability, but also with her love for Catholic education and her understanding of the unique mission of St. Agnes School,” Duffy wrote. “She knows that our goal is not simply academic excellence, but helping our students grow in faith, virtue, and friendship with Jesus Christ.”
Brower said she was looking forward to the school’s next chapter under Gorman.
“I’m excited about what Mrs. Gorman’s leadership will bring to St. Agnes,” Brower wrote in an email. “She recognizes the incredible foundation that has already been built here, while also bringing her own ideas and perspective about how we can continue to grow. I’m really looking forward to working alongside her.”
Gorman said that St. John’s help has been invaluable as she has prepared for the new position. “She has been so instrumental in helping to make this transition seamless for the students, the parents, the faculty, the parish,” Gorman said. “I will try my best to continue the practices that she has developed that I know that the community appreciates so much.”
Gorman, 56, was raised in Sunnyside, Queens, by immigrant parents from Ireland, John and Kitty McPartlan. She attended Catholic schools from grammar school through college, an experience that she said shaped her understanding of the faith-based approach to learning.
She earned a bachelor's degree in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from St. Francis College in 1992, a master's in literacy from St. John's University in 2002, and a master's in educational leadership and administration from Stony Brook University in 2022.
Gorman lives in Garden City with her husband, Kevin, a retired New York City Fire Department firefighter, and their three children. Their son Brendan attended St. Anne’s Grammar School and Chaminade High School, graduating in 2020, before earning a degree from Providence College in 2024. Their son John attended St. Anne’s and Chaminade, graduating in 2023, and attends Fairfield University. Their daughter, Delaney, attended St. Anne’s and Sacred Heart Academy, and attends Providence College.
“Catholic education has been part of my long history,” Gorman said. “It was entrenched in every part of my being. So I'm so incredibly grateful to be part of this Catholic school environment.”
Gorman spent 27 years in the Valley Stream 13 School District, working as a classroom teacher from 1998 to 2015 before becoming a literacy specialist. Building relationships with families and students was among the most meaningful aspects of her career.
“I've had so many students who I still keep in touch with,” she said, “and I'm definitely a relationship person.”
Gorman began her teaching career in 1993, at St. Vincent de Paul in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, then taught at P.S. 7, in District 24 in Elmhurst, Queens, from 1994 to 1998 before coming to Valley Stream.
“When this opportunity arose to be closer to my home parish and community, I felt like this was a wonderful opportunity,” she said.
Gorman describes her leadership philosophy as collaborative. “I love to work with teams,” she said. “I love to listen to the community and the stakeholders and see how I can help, and, together, put best practices into place.”
She said she is still learning about St. Agnes, and is not yet ready to define specific first-year priorities. For now, she is focused on understanding the community and continuing the work already underway.
“I want to continue the amazing work and the traditions that have already — that make the school special,” she said. “I feel like I want to provide the best education for the children. I think we can do that by providing the best education and focusing on being boldly Catholic.”
