Catskill Central School District welcomes Jaime DiDonna as our new secondary principal. Mr. DiDonna is a student-focused educator with over twenty-five years’ experience working in diverse school districts as an administrator and teacher. He comes to Catskill from the Onteora Central School District, where he was the principal of Onteora Middle School.
“As an administrator, I‘m a team player interested in the education and welfare of our students above all else, and someone who understands the challenges that our staff and families must prevail over in order for all students to thrive,” DiDonna said.
Over the course of his career, DiDonna served as the principal of Germantown Junior/Senior High School from 2017-2022, the junior high school principal at Pine Plains Central School District from 2012-2017, and the assistant high school principal at Ellenville Central School District from 2007-2012. He also spent eight years as an elementary and middle school teacher with the Kingston City School District. Before becoming an educator, he worked on Wall Street.
“I went into education because I love learning. I love the process of bettering oneself and I wanted to help kids and foster that love of learning within students,” DiDonna said. “I saw a great opportunity here to help a community that is close to home and that I know from working in the area. My goals include improving student performance and attendance, building school culture, and expanding upon all the great things that are already happening here. Catskill has a great reputation and I wanted to be a part of that.”
DiDonna holds a certificate of advanced study in educational leadership and administration from the College of St. Rose, as well as a master’s degree in elementary education and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Fordham University. He is permanently certified in NYS as a school building and school district administrator, and as a prekindergarten through grade 6 teacher.
DiDonna hails from Hurley, NY, where he lives with his wife, their son and daughter, and the family’s Lhasa Apso. He is an avid golfer who also enjoys bowling, hiking, and traveling with his family.
The Board of Education appointed Mr. DiDonna at its April 22 meeting to take the reins at Catskill’s secondary campus, which encompasses both Catskill High School and Catskill Middle School, effective July 1, 2025. DiDonna will be working on site at Catskill throughout June to familiarize himself with the District’s students, staff, families, and larger community. He will replace Catskill High School’s interim principal, Thomas Martin, whose contract ends June 30, and Catskill Middle School’s interim principal, Annie Coager, who the Board appointed as Catskill’s secondary campus assistant principal, starting July 1, 2025.