Dr. Alfone joined our staff on July 1, 2005, as Our Lady of Mercy School embarks on a new venture, no longer under the auspices of the Sisters of Mercy of Connecticut. OLM is now co-sponsored by St. Margaret Parish of Madison, and St. George Parish of Guilford, their respective pastors, Msgr. John Conte, and Father Lawrence Symolon, and under the guidence of the Archdiocese of Hartford. Dr. Alfone's administrative experience in Catholic education makes him an ideal choice to serve as principal during this exciting time.
He graduated from Notre Dame High School in West Haven, CT, in 1970, and was admitted to the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy in 1975. Upon graduation, he pursued a career in hospital pharmacy for the next ten years.
His decision to change careers occured in the mid 1980's, when he decided to pursue a Master's degree in Elementary Education at Southern Connecticut State University, earning that degree in 1992.
His first teaching position was as a grade 5-8 Math teacher at St. Vincent dePaul School in East Haven, CT, while pursuing a 6th year degree at SCSU in school psychology. After a few years, he was asked to serve as interim principal at the school, a position he held for seven years. During that time, he always taught one course a year, grade 8 science, grade 7 and 8 Spanish, or whatever he could find the time to teach.
He began his doctoral studies at the University of Hartford in 1992, studying and researching the role of school leader and his/her impact on the professional development of teachers. He received that degree in 1997.
In 1997, he was offered the position of principal of St. Gabriel School in Milford, CT, a position he held for four years. In 2001, he became the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport, where he remained until that position was eliminated for this fiscal year.
Our Lady of Mercy School welcomes Dr. Alfone into our community, and all look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.
