In February, Sean Van Eman joined Lancaster Catholic High School as the Principal and I could not be more thrilled! Every time we meet and talk, my enthusiasm grows for our students and our faculty! Sean, thank you for following God’s call and joining us at Lancaster Catholic!
While I wish that everyone could meet you personally as soon as you arrive, that might be overwhelming, so thank you for joining me in this conversation so our community can begin to know you.
What experience have you had in education? (grade levels, positions, types of educational institutions)
I first began my teaching career as a special education teacher with Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV and then Grove City Area School District. During that time, I also taught a 6th Grade CCD class with my local parish which was a very rewarding experience.
After obtaining my Master's Degree from Duquesne University, I began my educational leadership career with Intermediate Unit 1 as a Special Education Supervisor and Principal in K-12 schools. While I enjoyed being in these positions, I started to seek experiences in schools that weren't considered "specialized" as was the case for most of my career. I was then hired at Central Greene School District as the Director of Academic Accountability and Intervention overseeing all K-12 curricular programs, grant programs, and much more. This experience made me a more well-rounded leader, but I began missing interacting with students and staff which led me to being hired in my hometown as the Principal of New Castle Sr High School.
Even though I had great success as a leader in New Castle, it was during this time that I realized God was definitely calling me to Catholic Education. And with that said, I now know God allowed me to gain a multitude of leadership experiences as they'll be needed in my new position as Principal of Lancaster Catholic. God is good!
That is definitely a wide range of experiences in education! What initially sparked your interest in education and what keeps you motivated?
I've always enjoyed teaching, interacting with and guiding youth. I feel it's what God has called me to do in life, and when reading about the saints, like St. John Bosco and his commitment to youth, it affirms my decision. What keeps me motivated is seeing students at the beginning of their educational journey, seeing growth, and lastly watching them obtain their diploma. The four years students are in high school can truly determine the rest of their lives, so I take my role with utmost importance to make sure students succeed.
As you transition from public education to Catholic education, what are you most excited for?
I'm most excited to live and share the Catholic faith while on the job! Not too many people can make that claim, and I'm so thankful to God for this opportunity. While I've had a lot of valuable experiences in public education, it bothered me, more and more, that my faith had to be "left at the door." In my new role, I plan to not only utilize my educational experiences, but also be a model and leader of our Catholic faith to our students, staff, and community.
It is truly a gift to be able to live your faith “out loud” here at LCHS that I am excited for you to experience. As you have come to learn about Lancaster Catholic, what do you find most compelling?
Without a doubt, I quickly saw the rich tradition and history as most compelling at Lancaster Catholic. There is a healthy sense of pride with students, staff, and alumni when attending this school, and I'm excited to be a part of it. Go Catholic!
Your family is making a big move for this new position. How are they feeling about joining the Crusader family?
Thankfully, I've had overwhelming support from my wife and 6 children. Being that my wife is originally from York, PA, my family is very happy to be closer to many cousins that live in the area. While none of my children are high school age yet, they will be in a few years, and they've already determined the courses, extracurriculars, and many opportunities Lancaster Catholic offers that they'll be participating in.
We will most certainly be happy to welcome all of the Van Eman’s as Crusaders! Is there anything else you want to share with the community?
I strive to be a servant leader, and others have commented I'm very visible and approachable. Please don't hesitate to say hello and chat with me as I'm eager to get to know everyone in the Lancaster Catholic family. God bless!