CHULA VISTA – The National Catholic Educational Association has named the principal of Mater Dei Juan Diego Academy as one of the leading educators in the country. The principal, Leticia Oseguera, has led the academy for five years, and served in education for 19 years.
On March 29, the NCEA announced 13 recipients of its 2022 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards, which highlight the outstanding work of Catholic school educators in communities across the nation.
“I feel blessed and honored to be recognized in this way. Personally, as an immigrant and a woman of color, it fills my heart with gratitude and joy, knowing that the sacrifices my parents made and the work ethic they instilled in me are paying off,” Oseguera said “As a principal, I share this with the entire MDJDA team. It validates the hard work of our team and our school.”
Oseguera moved with her family to the United States from Michoacán, Mexico, when she was eight years old, “without speaking a word of English,” as she noted. The oldest of five children, she became the first in her family to graduate from high school and college.
Today, she leads Mater Dei Juan Diego Academy, the first TK-8 Catholic dual-language school in San Diego County. The school strives to educate the next generation of faith-filled, bilingual, global leaders, according to its website.
The association will recognize the award recipients on April 18, at its annual convention in New Orleans. They include Catholic school leaders, teachers, principals, presidents, pastors, diocesan superintendents, and school boards, the association said in its announcement.
“NCEA commends the extraordinary efforts, contributions and achievements of these exceptional leaders in Catholic education,” said Lincoln Snyder, NCEA President/CEO. “They are recognized as ambassadors of faith formation and academic excellence imparting the fullness of the Church’s faith for all of us working in Catholic school education.”
