St. Barnabas School welcomes new principal

by Laura Bednar

St. Barnabas Catholic School hired Bradley Seislove as its new principal, replacing Erin Faetanini, who took a job as principal of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron.

“Mr. Seislove brings a faith-filled, collaborative, energetic and positive approach as a school leader,” said St. Barnabas Catholic Church pastor Rev. James Kulway in a press release. He continued, saying their visions align and he looks forward to growing the school and parish together.

Seislove comes to St. Barnabas from Immaculate Heart of Mary school in Cuyahoga Falls, where he served as a junior high social studies and religion teacher as well as director of technology and cross-curriculum integration. Prior to IHM, he taught economics at Walsh Jesuit High School and had a full-time position in the business sector. Seislove was also Walsh’s girls and boys volleyball coach for 10 years.

He graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts with a degree in Business Administration. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Education and Master of Arts in Education Administration, with plans to complete both this December.

Seislove is also part of the Cleveland Diocese Aspiring Administrators Academy. A faculty or staff member from a school nominates a colleague to complete four-to-six professional development classes as part of the academy, according to Seislove. The classes prepare people to be leaders by teaching them what to expect and what leading as a principal looks like.

It was his involvement with the diocese that led him to the position.

“I have been working on my masters at Ursuline College and being in the diocese, I talked to Erin Faetanini a lot,” he said. “It seemed like a good fit for me and my family. All my experiences set me up for a great opportunity to lead.”

A principal search committee including a representative from the search firm Finding Leaders was created to locate principal candidates. The committee conducted focus groups with school staff, parents and parish staff and unanimously recommended Seislove. Committee member Ed Kramer stated in the release that Seislove’s experience in high school and elementary education would be an asset and he was committed to Catholic education.

When asked how he will grow the connection between the school and church, Seislove said he will be a visible member of the parish and school communities.

“It’s a visionary group leading the school and church,” he said. “We will strive for the next bit of greatness.”

In his first year, he said his goal is to get to know the students, parents, staff and faculty. “You can’t move the school forward if you don’t have relationships up front,” he said.

Seislove lives in Stow with his wife and three children. ∞

Photo: Bradley Seislove. Photo submitted.