J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School principal retiring

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Lisa Romero

SALT LAKE CITY — J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School Principal Lisa Romero is stepping down from her leadership position, but this “isn’t a clear retirement,” she said. “I am retiring from being a principal, but I am not sure of exactly what lies ahead.”

Romero has been a parishioner of St. Ambrose Parish, which is adjacent to the schools, for 35 years. Of those years, 27 have been spent in education at Catholic schools.

When she became principal at Cosgriff in 2020, the school was not unfamiliar to her. For 20 years, she taught first and fourth grade there. Then, at Creighton University, she completed a master’s degree in school administration with an emphasis in Catholic school leadership. Afterward she worked for six years at St. John the Baptist Elementary and at St. Vincent de Paul School, before returning to Cosgriff as principal.

Now, though, her priorities have changed.

“I am prioritizing time for my three grandchildren under 3 – all born after accepting the position of principal in early 2020,” she said, emphasizing that she remains open to new challenges as long as “there is sufficient grandma time.”

She was a new mother when she joined St. Ambrose Parish 35 years ago, she said, recalling that her years at Cosgriff began when her son started half-day kindergarten there 30 years ago.

In the years since, “It has been an honor to work with dedicated educators and staff and hundreds of incredible students and families,” Romero said.

Her years in the Catholic community have formed her professionally and personally, she added. “It’s impossible to elevate one memory or experience from all the work and joy there has been with colleagues, in the classroom, on the playground, at liturgies or other special events.”

However, as principal, one memory does stand out. “Being in administration with the challenges of opening the school during the COVID pandemic, considering everyone’s safety while continuing the educational mission was an effort that required so much of so many,” she said. “It was an ever-changing reality that was only accomplished through faith and hope, prayer and action, believing in what was possible.”

Now she is focusing on a collaborative and positive transition with “the next dynamic administrative team led by incoming [Cosgriff] principal Mary Thorne,” she said.

Mark Longe, Utah Catholic Schools superintendent, said that Romero is a person of faith “who is dedicated to the mission of Catholic education.”