Catholic schools across the Kansas City metro area are welcoming a new superintendent.

Marlon De La Torre was recently tapped by Bishop Robert Finn to take over as Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, according to a Feb. 8 press release.

When De La Torre begins work Monday, March 3, he will be the chief administrator of a school system with 12,612 students, 1,117 teachers and 50 campuses.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I admire Bishop Finn, and he’s definitely one of the factors that led me to take the job.”

De La Torre has extensive experience as an educational administrator for Catholic schools in the South, according to the press release.

For about eight years starting in 1999, he filled a number of posts in the Diocese of Memphis. This period including turns as the religious education director for the diocese and as headmaster at Sacred Heart of Jesus High School in Jackson, Tenn.

De La Torre also piloted an adult faith formation program and helped lead Hispanic education program throughout the Memphis diocese. His service to the Latino community was noted by Finn in a statement to the press.

“Allied with his background in various areas of Catholic education, De La Torre’s bilingual and bicultural experience will ensure full participation of diverse segments of our community,” Finn said.

De La Torre, the father of three children, was raised in the border town of Calexico, Calif.

“I received the remarkable gift of growing up within two cultures,” De La Torre said.

For about a year, the job has been filled on an interim basis by Sister Patricia Clune. She will go back to her permanent position as associate superintendent, according to the diocese.

Much of De La Torre’s work in Memphis involved developing and implementing religious education standards for Catholic schools, including training and certifying teachers. That will be one of his main focus areas in Kansas City, De La Torre said.

“I expect to continue what I’ve been doing for the last 15 years,” he said.

A strong identity with the Catholic faith should be a key facet of the educational experience for students in the diocese, De La Torre said.

“First and foremost, we have to be Catholic,” he said.

De La Torre holds degrees in theology, catechetics and mental health and human services. In college, De La Torre studied the Salesian teaching method of religious education. He plans to introduce the concept to teachers in the Kansas City diocese.

“Through a hands-on approach, teachers actively engage students by witnessing the faith and providing structure and discipline in a holy way that honors the dignity of the child,” De La Torre said.

-For more information about the Kansas City Catholic diocese schools, visit www.diocese-kcsj.org and click on “schools.”

Staff writer Ray Weikal can be reached at 389-6637 or rayweikal@npgco.com.

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