WELCOME TO MIDDLE SCHOOL! I am so very blessed to begin another school year
at Academy of Our Lady, "our home away from home"! This September I begin my
twenty-fourth year of teaching, and my ninth year at Academy of Our Lady.
The students, faculty, and staff are my second family and are always there for me! We
truly support one another professionally, emotionally, and spiritually! This has been
truly evident in the last few months since my beloved daughter, Mary, was severely
injured when struck by a motor vehicle while riding a triathlon bike. PRAISE GOD,
Mary is making progress everyday and we are all praying for her full recovery!
This year I will teach seventh and eighth grade science, and seventh and eighth grade
religion. I will also continue TREPS, a young entrepreneurial, after school program,
which culminates in a fabulous marketplace in November. I will also continue to incorporate
STEM into the middle school science program and the seventh and eighth grade students will
participate in Academy's Third Annual "SHARK TANK" STEM FAIR in April.
As in years past, I am committed to providing all of my students
with many opportunities to stretch their imaginations and improve their critical
thinking skills.
Over the past twenty-three years I have taught all grade levels from Pre-K to 8th
in a few public schools, the Diocese of Paterson, and the Archdiocese of Newark.
Over thirty years ago I began working with children by teaching CCD in
my parish, children's bible school for Community Bible Study International, and
I also prepared high school students for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Currently I
am blessed to be involved in my home parish as I serve as a lector and Eucharistic
minister. I am also a member of the Celebration Choir, Rosary Altar Society, and
Discipleship Committee.
Many years ago, I earned my Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration
and a paralegal certificate from Montclair State College. Subsequently, I worked
as a paralegal for fifteen years in a small law firm. After years of serving as
a catechist, I earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree with a concentration
in elementary education from Montclair State University and became highly qualified
in middle school science. I have taught all levels of elementary and middle school
science.
This past summer was spent with amazing family and friends supporting my daughter's
recovery. I have learned a great deal about rehabilitation medicine and I hope to
inspire my students, during STEM classes, to create innovative equipment for people dealing
traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
Faith, Family, and Friends have become so much more important to me. I am blessed to
have two beautiful grandchildren, my daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, Juan's son, Lorenzo John,
who turned two in July, and Noelle Grace, who was born on May 15th to my son, Andrew
and my daughter-in-law, Stephanie.
Our furry family members also add joy to our lives. Darby is now almost 3 1/2 years old.
She loves to visit and play with Andrew and Stephanie's pup, Angel, who is just two months
older than our Darby. On August 6th, my beloved husband and I celebrated our 35th
wedding anniversary! God's blessings are abundant, and I humbly give Him thanks and
praise daily for my family, dear friends, and the Academy of Our Lady community.
As always, I look forward to creating an engaging, enriching, and Christ-centered learning
environment for all my students this new school year!
