Theresa A. Bivona
Principal of St. Clare of Assisi School
Theresa A. Bivona has been Principal of St. Clare of Assisi School for the past 8 years. No stranger to the
fi eld of education, Theresa taught at St. Mary Star of the Sea School in City Island for 25 years. She graduated
Sum Cum Laude with a BA in Psychology /Education and received her master’s degree in Early Childhood at
the College of New Rochelle.
In 2000, Mrs. Bivona proudly accepted the “Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award.” This award, given by
the NCEA, (National Catholic Educational Association) is presented to 12 Teaches across the United States.
The honor was one of Mrs. Bivona’s greatest achievement.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Theresa attended Nativity of Our Blessed Lady elementary school and Mother
Butler High School. While working At Misericordia Hospital, she met the love of her life, Joseph. They married in
1977 and have 2 children, Rita and Nick. They have 5 grandchildren, Anthony, Valentina, Theresa and two month
old twins, Oliver and Joseph.
Mrs. Bivona’s philosophy of education is that God gives each of us different and special talents. What we do
with them is our gift back to God. She always taught from her heart and tried to make each student feel important.
She carries that same belief today at St. Clare of Assisi School. Mrs. Bivona prides herself in being accessible
to the parents. Either for a meeting, phone call or in today’s world a Zoom Meeting.
Although this past year has been quite challenging, St. Clare of Assisi School has met the demand by following
the guidelines of the CDC and the Health and Safety task force from the Archdiocese.
Mrs. Bivona’s favorite quote, by Maya Angelou is “ I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people
will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” She end’s every graduation ceremony
in June at St. Clare’s with that quote and tells the students to go forward and make people feel good!
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M 36 ARCH 26-APR. 1, 2021 BTR