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Principal Frank Valderama has been with St. Andrew the Apostle
school since the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year.
I am very blessed and
honored to be serving in my second year as Principal of St. Andrew
the Apostle School. It is especially joyful for me and my wife
Bernadette (Bernie) because we were once long-time residents of
Romeoville and raised our family here. We have many fond memories
of the 70s and 80s when our three daughters, Kim, Annette, and
Tiffany attended school here and we participated in numerous
fun-filled parish fundraisers and beautiful religious events. We
are proud that they each of our daughters graduated not only from a
school that promoted academics, but where God, prayer, and spiritual
growth were at the center of each day.
I was the oldest of three children born to
Frank, Sr. and Rose (Romo). My parents made a happy home for my
brother, sister, and I on the southwest side of Chicago (go Sox!).
My parents also believed in Catholic education and thus I attended
grade schools at St. Bernard and St. Gall parishes, then DeLaSalle
High School, and finally Lewis College (now University) where I
earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy with minors in Education
and Spanish. Soon afterwards I began teaching Spanish at Marist
Catholic High School in Chicago. After our first child was born, I
accepted a position as a Technical Writer for GTE in domestic and
government projects. A number of years later I accepted a
federally-funded bi-lingual position as Coordinator of Education
Services with the Workforce Development Council of Will County.
After our daughters finished college and were
married, I returned to Lewis University and earned my Masters Degree
in Education Administration and Type 75 Administrator
Certification. Upon graduating, and for the next eight years, I
served as an Assistant Principal in elementary and middle schools in
the far southeast suburbs. Due to many late hours, my wife and I
thought it best to move closer to my job, so seven years ago we
moved to Tinley Park. We may have moved, but our hearts never left
Romeoville as Bernie continued her employment with Lewis University,
where she also earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees, and we both
continued our close friendship with our many good friends from St.
Andrew’s. During all of this, God blessed us with five beautiful
grandchildren!!
So it is with abundant thanks and joy to be
back and to serve in this very special ministry under the guidance
and leadership of St. Andrew’s wonderful new pastor, Father Gregor
Gorsic. I am filled with gratitude for this opportunity and assure
you that I will work with unremitting devotion with my hardworking
and competent staff toward the spiritual and academic growth of the
school children. All of you will be in my prayers, as I hope I will
be in yours, as we each try in our own unique and special way to
make a difference at St. Andrew’s.
May God bless you!
Frank Valderrama
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