“From BCA to Notre Dame: Congratulations to Mrs. Cesar on Joining the Prestigious Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program and Completing Her First Semester with the Fighting Irish!”
From BCA to Notre Dame, the journey of Mrs. Cesar—affectionately known as Ms. Tracy by many—stands as a shining example of dedication, ambition, and the pursuit of excellence in educational leadership. Her recent acceptance into the highly respected Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame is an achievement that has sparked joy and pride not only within the school community at BCA but also among all who have witnessed her tireless commitment to students, teachers, and the broader mission of transformational education. With her first semester in the program now successfully completed, this milestone marks not only a personal triumph but a collective celebration for every life she continues to touch with her vision, compassion, and integrity.
Mrs. Cesar’s story is rooted in a deep passion for education. At BCA, she has long been a cornerstone of the school’s leadership, helping to guide students through both challenges and victories with an unwavering sense of purpose. Her belief in the transformative power of learning, coupled with her commitment to faith-centered values, has earned her the respect of her peers and the love of the students she serves. So when news broke that she had been accepted into Notre Dame’s Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program, the excitement was palpable—this was more than just a resume boost or a professional stepping stone. It was a profound affirmation of everything she stands for and strives to become.
The Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program is one of the most prestigious programs in the country for aspiring Catholic school leaders. Based at the University of Notre Dame, the program seeks to equip educators with the skills, knowledge, and spiritual formation necessary to lead schools that are academically excellent and deeply rooted in Catholic identity. The program is rigorous, demanding a high level of academic commitment, reflective practice, and spiritual discernment. Participants come from across the nation, and admission into the program is highly competitive. For Mrs. Cesar to be selected is a testament to her exceptional qualities as a leader, a learner, and a person of faith.
Completing the first semester of the Remick program is no small feat. Juggling her responsibilities as Assistant Principal at BCA while simultaneously engaging in intensive coursework, field experiences, and spiritual formation retreats requires tremendous discipline and resilience. The summer sessions at Notre Dame are known to be intellectually stimulating and emotionally enriching, fostering a strong community among leaders who will go on to shape the future of Catholic education. Through it all, Mrs. Cesar has continued to serve her school community with grace, bringing back new ideas and energy from South Bend to infuse into her daily work in Brooklyn.
Her achievement is not just a personal success—it reverberates throughout the BCA community. Students look up to her and now see even more clearly that their dreams are within reach. Staff members are reminded of the importance of continual learning and professional development. Families who entrust their children to BCA are reassured that they are part of a school led by individuals committed to being at the forefront of educational excellence. The broader Catholic education network also takes note—leaders like Mrs. Cesar represent the future of Catholic schools, blending tradition with innovation, academic rigor with moral formation, and administrative skill with a deeply personal touch.
Mrs. Cesar’s leadership style is characterized by a rare blend of humility and boldness. She listens more than she speaks, and when she does speak, it is always with intentionality. Her decisions are guided by a desire to do what is right for students, even when it means taking a harder path. Her presence in the hallways is both calming and energizing—students feel safe, supported, and inspired. Teachers see in her a trusted partner, someone who understands the challenges of the classroom and who advocates tirelessly for resources, development, and respect for the profession.
One of the most remarkable things about Mrs. Cesar is how she manages to lead with heart while never losing sight of academic excellence. She knows that building strong relationships is the foundation of effective leadership, but she also knows that high standards must be maintained. Under her leadership, initiatives at BCA have flourished. From mentoring new teachers to enhancing student support systems, from introducing data-informed instructional strategies to strengthening family engagement, her fingerprints are everywhere. And now, with the additional tools and insights gained from her time at Notre Dame, her leadership is bound to reach even greater heights.
The Remick program places a strong emphasis on Catholic identity, encouraging school leaders to reflect deeply on how their faith informs their work. For Mrs. Cesar, this spiritual formation has been deeply meaningful. It has allowed her to reconnect with the reasons she entered the field of education in the first place—not just to teach content, but to nurture souls; not just to run a school, but to build a community of faith. This alignment of personal mission with professional development is one of the hallmarks of the program, and it is already bearing fruit in how Mrs. Cesar leads and inspires those around her.
The support Mrs. Cesar has received from her family, colleagues, and the broader school community cannot be overstated. Every great leader stands on the shoulders of a strong support system, and hers has been unwavering. Whether it’s the encouragement from fellow administrators, the joyful hugs from students who call her “Ms. Tracy,” or the prayers of friends and family rooting for her success, she has never walked alone on this journey. This collective support makes her success all the more powerful—it is a reminder that when one member of a community rises, the entire community is elevated.
Looking ahead, the implications of Mrs. Cesar’s ongoing journey are vast. With another semester on the horizon and the full Remick Leadership Program still underway, there is much more to learn, absorb, and bring back to BCA. But even at this early stage, her growth is evident. Her vision is expanding, her confidence deepening, and her capacity to lead being refined in ways that will impact not just her current school but potentially Catholic education at large. In time, she may go on to serve in even greater leadership roles—perhaps as a principal, a regional director, or even a national voice in Catholic education reform. Whatever the path, it’s clear that she will walk it with integrity and grace.
For students at BCA, seeing one of their leaders attend a school like Notre Dame is deeply empowering. It sends the message that excellence is not reserved for the elite or the distant—it’s within reach for anyone willing to work hard, stay rooted in faith, and believe in their purpose. It teaches them that education is not a finish line but a lifelong pursuit. It reinforces the idea that dreams and discipline must go hand in hand. Most importantly, it shows them what it means to be a servant-leader—someone who lifts others as they climb.
Mrs. Cesar’s journey also serves as a call to action for other educators. It challenges those in the field to ask themselves how they, too, might continue to grow, learn, and serve more effectively. It invites schools and dioceses to invest more deeply in the leadership development of their staff. It calls for a renewed commitment to the values that make Catholic education so powerful: faith, excellence, community, and justice. And it underscores the need for more programs like Remick—spaces where educational leaders can be formed not just in skill but in soul.
In many ways, this moment is just the beginning. The seeds that Mrs. Cesar is planting now—through her studies at Notre Dame, her leadership at BCA, and her example to others—will bear fruit for years to come. Her influence will ripple through classrooms, corridors, and communities, shaping young minds and touching countless lives. And as she continues her journey with the Fighting Irish, she carries with her the hopes, dreams, and prayers of all those who have seen in her a leader worth following.
From the classrooms of BCA to the hallowed halls of Notre Dame, Mrs. Cesar’s journey is a testament to what is possible when faith, purpose, and passion converge. It is a story of perseverance and progress, of heart and hustle. It is, in every way, a story worth celebrating. Congratulations to Mrs. Cesar for completing her first semester in the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program—your BCA family is proud beyond words, and your best is yet to come.
