Dear Our Lady of Lourdes Families,

I am honored and deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as the leader of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. Catholic education has been both my vocation and my passion for the last three decades, and I am excited to begin this new chapter alongside our students, families, faculty, parish, and community.

My journey in Catholic education began in 1996 at Assumption Catholic School in Cincinnati, Ohio, a school which holds special meaning for my family, as my mother, eleven aunts and uncles, and many cousins were all educated there, instilling in me a deep appreciation for the lasting impact a strong Catholic school community can have across generations. 

I went on to serve the only standalone Catholic middle school in Charlotte, North Carolina for the next twenty years, as a teacher, coach, and administrator. While I valued each of those roles, one of the clearest reminders of my vocation came when I was asked to teach a section of sixth-grade religion while continuing my administrative responsibilities. Returning to the classroom and accompanying students in their daily faith journey reaffirmed my belief that the most effective Catholic school leadership is rooted in relationships, faith formation, and a genuine presence in the lives of students.

Although I am new to this role, Our Lady of Lourdes is not new to my heart. My husband, Michael, and I first began attending Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in 2018 while visiting friends in Dunedin. We quickly fell in love with both the parish and the surrounding community, and that experience ultimately led us to make Dunedin our home. It is a tremendous blessing to now have the opportunity to serve the school and parish that have already become so important to us.

As I begin this journey, my vision is grounded in the mission of Catholic education: to form faithful disciples of Christ who are intellectually curious, compassionate, and committed to lifelong learning. I believe every child is uniquely created in the image of God and deserves an environment where they are known, loved, challenged, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. A truly outstanding Catholic school nurtures the whole child: spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, creatively, and physically.

Together, we will cultivate a school where our Catholic faith is woven into every aspect of daily life, where every student is challenged and supported to reach their God-given academic potential, and where teachers are empowered to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. Our strongest schools are built on authentic partnerships among families, the parish, and educators, working together to form children of strong faith, character, and purpose. My hope is to foster a joyful, welcoming community that honors our traditions while embracing opportunities for growth, encourages service to others, and helps every child discover, develop, and confidently share the unique gifts God has entrusted to them.

I am humbled by the trust placed in me and excited to listen, learn, and grow alongside this wonderful community. I look forward to getting to know each of you and working together to ensure that Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School continues to be a place where faith flourishes, excellence is pursued, and every child is prepared not only for future success but also for a lifelong relationship with Christ.

Thank you for welcoming me into the Our Lady of Lourdes family. I cannot wait to see all that God has planned for us as we begin this journey together.

In Christ’s peace and blessings,

Gerda Letizia