After 24 years working in public education, Jennifer Insua has returned to St. Joseph Catholic School in Winter Haven as principal, joining four other alumni on staff. They cite the school’s sense of community and its Catholic values as key reasons for coming back.

Erika Wikstrom, superintendent of Catholic Schools, said, “I believe our alumni return to teach in Catholic education because of the faith formation they received as students. Our schools instill the importance of servant leadership and community fellowship. We see this across our diocese. It’s truly a reflection of the beauty and ministry of our Catholic Church.”

Insua attended St. Joseph from 1976 to 1984 along with her siblings. She described changes at the school since then, noting growth from one class per grade to two—three for second grade—and an expansion in offerings such as weekly specials and a gymnasium.

Despite these changes, Insua emphasized that the school’s mission remains focused on fostering a diverse community grounded in Gospel values and service.

“I remember it being very personalized learning. The teachers helped you out with whatever you needed,” Insua said. “Going to Mass was instilled in me. That was a beautiful thing to be able to do. And coming back, I just, I knew that God was calling me.”

She recounted how she decided to return after seeing a job posting for a fourth-grade teacher—the same subject she taught in public schools—while attending Mass: “God had a plan for me to be a part of this community, and it was like coming home when I got back here. It was always such a family atmosphere to start with. It was just like, ‘Welcome back. You’re where you need to be,’” she said.

Now ten years into her return, Insua says there is still strong collaboration between the school, church, and priests: “Our Catholic faith. It was so strong in me then, and it’s so strong here now, and it’s such a beautiful thing to see… Our number one mission is to get our kids to heaven and have them be saints. We have high expectations for both the faith and for academics.”

She also pointed out that having multiple alumni among staff highlights the enduring appeal of St. Joseph’s family-oriented environment.

St. Joseph Catholic School is part of The Diocese of Orlando, which was established in 1968 and currently includes 79 parishes, 11 missions, two basilicas, and 43 Catholic schools across several counties under Bishop James Noonan’s leadership.