“Opposition is a natural part of life. Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity.”

 Stephen R. Covey

Dr. Jonathan T. Hughes, Director: Doctorate Program at the Oakdale campus of St. Johns' University

St. Johns' University at the Oakdale Campus

 What is strength without a double share of wisdom?
John Milton, 17th century English poet

A chain is as strong as its weakest link.
       - Danish Proverb

The strength of the heart comes from the soundness of the faith.
       - Saudi Arabian Proverb

There is no strength without unity.
       - Irish Proverb 

     Welcome!! My name is Omero Cesere Catan III. I am a doctoral candidate at St. John's University at the Oakdale campus. I have been a student of the doctoral program which subscribes to the requisite unique cohort system. My goal is to fulfill my dream of  successfully completing the coursework here at St. John's and and ultimately write a dissertation about a topic which, I pray, will contribute to explaining the characteristics of an effective middle school model in the United States. I have had experience in the field of middle school, being an assistant principal at the Reed Middle School in Central Islip, New York for more than a decade. I am intrigued about the quality of education at the middle school level and how it compares to a junior high school model.  Presently, I am an assistant Principal at the Central Islip High School, New York.  It is with the intention of creating a better place for our students that I am taking the time and putting forth the effort to fulfill the rigorous academic expectations that St. Johns University at the Oakdale Campus has placed on me.

     I began my journey by attending a presentation by the director of the doctoral program at St. Johns at the Oakdale campus, Dr. Jonathan T. Hughes. Needless to say, I was mesmerized by the manner in which Dr. Hughes utilized technology in his presentation which brought complex concepts to life; he incorporated kaleidoscopes, banners, and various effects that were faded in and out of view. Highlights, graphic organizers, and pyramids were also brought to the fore as Dr. Hughes was very prepared and he had developed a cogent argument for being a member of his cohort system at St. Johns. Indeed, Dr. Hughes was very inspiring, so much that I had decided immediately thereafter to begin the process of matriculation.  Several years has elapsed and I am still very excited with the unique cohort process at the Oakdale Campus wherein our group is able to share current knowledge in the field of education, and develop leadership skills  as we carryout the myriad of responsibilities incumbent upon us as leaders in our particular school buildings and school districts. ultimately cognizant of  the fact that   

     As you peruse my website, you will notice several pages; each folio includes a different aspect of my experience in the doctoral program.  There is the personal page, which is straightforward; there are several important photos which I have displayed with a short annotation, tells a little about my life like a snapshot. Also, you will notice a  professional folio, which describes the duties I have undertaken early as a teacher, and afterward, as an  administrator.  The learner folio describes each of the courses I completed at the Oakdale campus in the educational building. Included are some of the papers and presentations, telling much about how I was able to utilized leadership skills for the academic prowess of my students. The expert folio describes some of the highlights of my teaching career as well as my time in administration. I utilized a metaphor as a weightlifter in describing how the coursework has made me stronger and more confident in my leadership style. Strength has has become an important philosophical "calling card" as a way of extricating myself from the past experiences where I might not have otherwise survived from is one of the activities which which others identify me. Last, I have included a scholar page, which gives a brief description of the concepts included in my dissertation. 

     Below are several individuals who have influenced me in my desire to complete the doctoral program.  Dr. Jerrold Ross, Dean at St. Johns University at the Oakdale campus has been heralded by Dr. Hughes as an administrator who paves the way for well-renowned professors seeking a career at the Oakdale campus. I have always enjoyed listening to the wisdom from Dr. Ross.  Professor Faucetta is available at the office to monitor the progress of the doctoral students as well as serve as a instructor in the master's program. Dr. Hughes is a motivating force; he works tirelessly to recruit the best candidates into the doctoral program, he is personally involved as a professor who contributes to the quality of education, and he is a mentor to those seeking to defend their dissertations. In addition, Dr. Hughes is the author of several books and many scholarly articles dealing with public education. Dr. Frank Smith is a prolific author who serves as a professor at the Oakdale campus as well. Dr. Smith's writings has influenced me as I endeavor to utilize his paper introducing IOGA as a means for discussing effective middle school models. Dr. Smith has several students who depend on him as a mentor for their dissertations. Dr. Korynne Taylor-Dunlop is yet, another professor in the "triumvirate" which makes up a team of individuals influencing the leadership in the public school system for many years to come.  Dr. Dunlop is an author who continues to influence others in the field of education. I appreciate her energy in ensuring the veracity of the dissertations written by students under the auspices of her tutelage. Dr. Dunlop is always available at a moments notice to assist me as I aspire to fulfill my requirements in the doctoral program. Below are pictures of Dr. Ross, Dr. Hughes, Dr. Frank Smith and Dr. Taylor-Dunlop who in no particular order have also given me an incentive to increase my knowledge and improve my skills as a leader in education.  Each of these individuals has given up so much of their time and energy to assist me as I grow stronger from each course, and ultimately I have become strong enough to withstand the rigors that leadership in the public school system demands.   

Above is Dr. Jerrold Ross, Dean of The School of Education at the Oakdale campus.                                                                                                     

As you enter the doctoral program, Professor Faucetta, Administrative Director of the Graduate School of Education, will be the among the first individuals you meet in handing in the required documents as you embark on the journey of earning a doctorate. Professor Faucetta is instrumental in ensuring that each of the many students are on task, up to date, and currently fulfilling their academic and financial responsibilities in the Ed.D. program. In addition, Professor Faucetta is a professor who is a motivating force in recruiting others into the doctoral program.

Professors: Dr. Jonathan T. Hughes, Dr. Frank Smith, and Dr. Korynne Taylor-Dunlop. These three individuals have made it possible for me to take intellectual risks, ask critical analysis questions about educational philosophy, and they are instrumental in helping me develop a metaphor for explaining my learning style as well as assisting me in developing my topic and the inception of my conceptual framework. I will depend on this triumvirate as I continue to expand upon my conceptual framework in writing my dissertation dealing with the topic of effective middle school models.

"In The Community" is the mantra which drives the cohort model at the Oakdale Campus at St. Johns' University; people coming together sharing their talents to arrive at a better tomorrow.

The above mentioned monikers are indicative of the collaboration between the university and individual school districts in improving the academic performance of the students attending the  public schools. The doctoral program inculcates a sense of responsibility in eah of the students as we endeavor to create a positive learning environment in our public schools.  Indeed, there is an emphasis upon collaboration among the school districts and St. John's University.  Evidence of the conceptual framework where students benefit academically, as well as improve their social skills, can be viewed in the text, Mentoring for Success, written by Dr. Jonathan T. Hughes, and Dr. Korynne Taylor-Dunlop.  The scenario of Mentoring for Success involved students participating in an after-school tutoring program under the auspices of a university and the public school system in Connecticut which served as partners in their endeavors  to provide academic and social support. The text was instrumental in my approach of utilizing a metaphor of a weightlifter as I improved my technological skills, and improved my knowledge base after each course; As I mentioned on  my conceptual framework folio, weightlifting is a process of looking inward and finding that which may have earlier escaped me. As a result of my search for a stronger body and mind, I become better able to withstand the pressures that leadership entails, and I am capable of applying significant influence so that others are able to succeed in their duties as well.