• Caterina Leone-Mannino
    Principal of East Upper School (Grades 9-12)

    Caterina Leone-Mannino has been named as the new Principal for East Upper School.  Ms. Leone has had a wealth of experience as a building leader Kindergarten through 12th grade and also at Central Office serving in multiple departments.  Ms. Leone has served the past year as the EPO Assistant Superintendent and is familiar with the East program and processes.  

    She is no stranger to the joys and challenges of urban education and the need for innovative solutions to ensure all children receive a quality education. She has worked extensively with local and national foundations in building bridges between schools and community partners in developing innovative programs for students and was recognized by Rochester City Newspaper (2014) as one of “Rochester’s 10” most influential people.

    Caterina began her career 30 years ago in Chelsea, MA working for an Intergenerational Literacy Project which was a collaborative partnership between Chelsea Public Schools and Boston University.   The program simultaneously focused on authentic ways to improve literacy skills of the participating adults and their school-aged children.  

    As a young teacher, Caterina had the privilege of working in one of Boston Public Schools most successful preK-8 schools, the Rafael Hernandez School, where all students learned in both Spanish and English through project-based learning experiences.  She had the opportunity to serve as a teacher leader focused on standards-based learning and as a demonstration teacher for writers’ workshop.

    When Caterina relocated to Rochester, she taught a 4th-6th grade class of refugee students at Rochester City School #5.  While they learned English, the true meaning of “it takes a village” fully became known.  Other teaching assignments included School #33 dual language program and teacher leader for professional learning in literacy and mathematics.  She then transitioned to the assistant principal at Franklin High School.

    Caterina has also served multiple leadership roles in RCSD (Rochester City School District) Central Office including Director of Academic Intervention Services, Director of Expanded Learning, Director of Foreign Language, and Executive Director of School Innovation. In 2015, she became Principal at Enrico Fermi School 17, where she led improvement efforts resulting in the school's removal from the Persistently Violent and Dangerous Schools List and successful removal from Receivership.  In 2021, Caterina joined the RCSD Office of Human Capital as Senior Director of Staff & Educator Effectiveness, working with administrative teams at each district school to strengthen instructional leadership and supervision.

    Caterina joins the East EPO as Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Planning. She will be responsible for supporting the EPO relationship with NYS Education Department, strengthening the community school model, and supporting development of a multi-tiered system of support for all scholars and families. 

    Caterina is an alum of Our Lady of Mercy HS, Boston University, University of Massachusetts, and University of Rochester, where she is working to complete her doctoral studies.  She is the proud mother of two young men, an overactive dog, and a large, lazy cat.  In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking and entertaining guests at the family restaurant, Fairfield’s Bar and Grill in Penfield.  Annual family vacations to Aruba allow for significant restoration of the energy needed to lead this exciting and groundbreaking work locally.