Michael Brennan is no stranger to Marian Catholic High School. He’s roamed the halls as a student and paced the sidelines as an assistant boys’ basketball coach. Now, the Colt is returning home as Marian’s new head of school starting July 1.

“This is a tremendous opportunity,” Brennan said Wednesday during an introductory announcement at the school. “I adore this place. I told the students this morning I’m very excited for the future of Marian. The faculty and staff have the same goals in mind and that is to help students. My goal is to make sure our students succeed in whatever they choose to be.”

Brennan comes to Marian from Palmerton Area High School, where he served as a special education teacher since 2013 and as the principal intern/practicum during the 2019-20 school year. Prior to that, Brennan was a learning support teacher at Panther Valley Elementary School in Nesquehoning.

“We had an excellent group of candidates and Michael meets all of our needs as a Marian family,” said Father Allen Hoffa, who has been serving as the interim head of schools. “He is a dynamic educator who has already voiced an incredible outlook for additional programs and additions to our curriculum both in person and virtually. He’s a man of family and a man of faith and prayer.”

Marian used the Partners in Mission consulting firm to assist with the search. The process including listening sessions to get input from stakeholders such as parents, alumni, partner school principals, students, teachers and staff.

“Our search produced persons who were highly qualified from our local area and beyond,” Hoffa said. “One thing this showed to us is that the future as well as the tradition of Marian is something that educational leaders want to be a part of.”

Brennan said his goals include continuing momentum established this year and in years past.

“We’ll continue to work to increase enrollment,” he said. “The school has done a great job with that since September. I plan to work with the advancement department and finance department to make sure Marian is in good hands for current and future students.”

A new fine arts curriculum was introduced at Marian this year and new initiatives through STEM, Brennan said, will be a focus.

“Our education will continue to be top of the line,” he added. “Our Chromebooks for the one-to-one program will be distributed to underclassmen shortly and that is something we’re very excited about and will be expanded in years to come.”

Positive building changes, he said, are also already on the horizon.

“We’re getting new bleachers in the gym next month and that will be a great facelift as the gymnasium is the center for our fine arts and athletics accomplishments,” Brennan said. “it is one of many more upgrades to come.”

Brennan received his principal certificate from Point Park University in Pittsburgh in 2020; earned a masters degree in educational administration/special education at the University of Pittsburgh in 2014; and graduated with a bachelors degree in elementary education/special education from Wilkes University.

His experience includes teaching elementary math, English, and history; as well as instructing and modifying regular education math classes for special education students in grades 9-12. He created behavior and educational plans for over 30 students per year to comply with state requirements, school code, and parent expectations.

At Palmerton, Brennan established a classroom model for hybrid instruction to meet the needs of the COVID-19 pandemic and was an integral part of the high school’s health and safety plan. He mentored novice teachers on a weekly basis through the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit mentoring program and served as a technology coach to work with staff to smooth the transition to virtual instruction.

“I’m looking forward to students getting to experience Marian in a post COVID-19 world where they can take part in all of the great traditions here,” Brennan said. “Until then, we’re going to continue to follow our social distancing guidelines, and wear masks so we can have those experiences sooner rather than later.”

Brennan has worked with the current Blue and Gold Club at Marian Catholic to institute the summer games and the major fundraising of the Men of Marian Picnic. He has also served as an assistant boys’ basketball coach since 2010. His coaching career is highlighted by the 2010-11 District 11 Class A championship and the 2016-17 District 11 Class AA championship.

“His commitment since graduation to stay invested and involved here at Marian is impressive,” Hoffa said. “That is the story of so many of our alumni. I have seen Mike’s involvement in the Blue and Gold Club. He is a dedicated coach and mentor of our young people. We see so much great potential in him.”