Brooke Cortese Tesche took over Monday as the superintendent of secondary schools and the special education division for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 

"As superintendent I look forward to bringing an objective perspective to the great successes our Catholic schools are experiencing in the post COVID-19 pandemic era,” Tesche said in a statement issued by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 

"I will bring my experience, joy, and hope to this role while listening to the needs, recognizing the gifts, and identifying areas for continued innovation to enhance our future," she added. "I value being a member of a talented team including our administration and teachers inspiring youth and committed school families.” 

Tesche brings more than 20 years of experience in Catholic education as an educator and administrator, earning a reputation as a well-seasoned professional in her field, the Catholic Philly said in a report. 

Tesche will lead the 15 archdiocesan high schools and three special education institutions, which serve students across the five-county area. She will provide faith formation, academics, and operational regulation support to the schools under her purview, the Catholic Philly added. 

She will report directly to the chief operating officer for secondary schools and will work closely with other important administrators in the secondary education division of the Office of Catholic Education. 

Tesche holds multiple degrees, including a bachelor’s of science degree in special education from West Chester University, a master’s degree in education leadership, with a focus on special education supervision, from St. Joseph’s University, and an MBA from DeSales University. She also holds an MBA and a doctoral degree in education from Immaculata University, the Catholic Philly reported.

Tesche previously was the special education supervisor of Life Skills/Transition/Project SEARCH at the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 in Easton, Pennsylvania. 

Tesche has served as the secretary for evangelization, formation and education in the Diocese of Allentown. In this capacity, she was responsible for overseeing the needs of about 20,000 students enrolled in various schools and special education centers, according to the Catholic Philly.

“Dr. Tesche embarked on her first day, today, as the new superintendent of high schools and schools of special education in the @ArchPhilly @AOPS_Schools,” Archbishop Nelson Perez tweeted Monday. 

“Our search committee was tasked with identifying a seasoned educational leader with the intangible qualities necessary to help our schools flourish as centers of faith formation where every academic and extracurricular activity radiates with Christ’s example of love and service,” Perez said in the diocesan statement. 

Perez said he’s confident Tesche’s “deep faith, professional experience and abundant enthusiasm will deeply impact the work taking place in the Office of Catholic Education and our schools in a transformational way.”

One of her objectives will be to advance Catholic education and give teenagers the tools required to be servant leaders. 

“I look forward to the great things she will accomplish working closely with our school leaders and administrators in the central office,” Perez said.