Principal

Dana Bayer

My name is Dana Bayer, and I am honored to serve as the sixth principal of St. Joachim School. The school has been my second home for the past 31 years, and the community has been like a second family. I began my career teaching sixth grade in 1993, and after two years, I moved to 8th grade, where I remained for 28 years until 2023. I served as the associate principal under Mr. Seishas for the past 15 years.

I am a product of Catholic School of the Diocese of Oakland. I attended elementary school at St. John the Baptist in El Cerrito and high school at Presentation in Berkeley. The teachers that I had, especially the Sisters of Mercy at St. John, were instrumental in my faith formation and my decision to choose the ministry of Catholic education.

I received my undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis. I got my teaching credential and my Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Technology at San Francisco State University. I later attended the University of Notre Dame, where I completed the administrative credential program and earned a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Catholic School Administration.

I am committed to carrying out the Mission of St. Joachim School, in partnership with parents, the primary educators of their children, to educate children in the Catholic faith and nurture their minds, bodies, and souls, inspiring them to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, achieve their highest academic and creative potential, and actively serve and enrich the community.