Theriault named as new principal of Saint Dominic Academy’s Lewiston campus

Dawn Theriault will be the new principal of Saint Dominic Academy’s Lewiston campus. She will assume the role at the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year. Theriault has a distinguished 25-year career as an educator and leader at Saint Dominic Academy.

Theriault will succeed John Patrick “J.P.” Yorkey who has served as principal since 2016. Yorkey was recently named the new principal at St. John’s Catholic School in Brunswick.

“I am tremendously honored to be able to work at St. Dominic in this new role as principal of the Lewiston campus. It is a full circle moment for me since the elementary building is where I began my journey in Catholic education as a child,” Theriault said. “I am looking forward to working with the students, staff, and community to nurture our mission in Christ.”

Theriault began her teaching career at Saint Dominic Academy as an English teacher for more than 20 years beginning in 1999. She was then promoted to Director of Enrollment Management through which she collaborated with school leadership and the board to revise the school’s strategic plan and served as the committee chair of admissions, enrollment, and marketing.

Theriault updated the school’s tuition policy to ensure all families are entitled to equity in tuition payments. She served on the financial aid committee assisting in the assessment and distribution of financial aid and scholarships. She collaborated with teachers across grades pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 in admissions, budgeting, classroom needs and special services for students. Theriault also worked together with school administration and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) officials to review and address school procedures and areas for improvement.

“Dawn has been an integral part of the Saint Dominic Academy community for 25 years. Throughout her tenure, she has consistently demonstrated a passion for education and a profound understanding of St. Dom’s mission with a deep-rooted commitment to our Catholic values,” incoming Maine Catholic Schools Superintendent Shelly Wheeler said. “Dawn’s journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, a compassionate approach to student development, and a visionary outlook that has significantly contributed to Saint Dominic Academy’s success.”

Theriault graduated cum laude from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She has a Master of Science in Educational Leadership degree, graduating from the University of Maine in Farmington.

Saint Dominic Academy is a Catholic, co-educational college preparatory day school under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine, with 470 students in grades pre-K through 12. St. Dominic Academy consists of two campuses in Lewiston and Auburn.  The high school, founded in 1941, has a long tradition of academic excellence in the community.  Faculty members are certified by the Maine State Department of Education and are members of the National Catholic Education Association.  Saint Dominic Academy is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC.)