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Sr. Marie Pascale - President and Principal

Sister Marie Pascale was born in France to a big and loving family. She received her degree from the University de Poitiers, France. In France, the degree is referred to as "Brevet d'enseignement." She also received a Teaching Credential from le Minister de l'Education in France.

During her time of preparation for entering the community life to become a Sister, in the educational order of the Institute de l'Union-Chrétienne de Saint Chaumond, Sister Marie Pascale taught in a preschool in Poitiers, France for four years, while at the same time obtaining her Teaching Credential. After taking her vows and becoming a Sister, Sister Marie Pascale taught Elementary School in Paris, France for five years. She then moved to Portugal where she was the Director and instructor at the Coïmba Orphanage for 10 years. In her charge were children from 2 to 18 years of age. Sister's experiences then took her to Madrid, Spain. Here she taught Middle School and High School for 15 years, and served as the Director of the School, equivalent to Principal in the United States for 11 years. It is from here that she came to Notre Dame Academy in January of 2006. Since arriving here, she has served as the President and Principal of the school. All of Sister Marie Pascale's service to education has taken place in the school of the educational order of the Institute de l'Union-Chrétienne de Saint Chaumond.

Mrs. Perkins - Assistant Principal

Mrs. Perkins received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education in 1984 from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She taught elementary school for three years in Phoenix, Arizona and then moved to San Diego in 1987. Mrs. Perkins pursued her California Teaching Credential while working for San Diego Gas and Electric in the accounting department. In 1989, Mrs. Perkins began teaching again in Lemon Grove School District. She received her Master of Science Degree in Instructional Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction at National University in May of 1993. Mrs. Perkins taught one more year then pursued a career as a full-time mom for seven years. During this time, Mrs. Perkins was very involved in many parent volunteer opportunities and was a substitute teacher for local public schools.

In the fall of 2001, Mrs. Perkins accepted a position as the Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator for St. William of York Catholic Church, now St. Thérèse of Carmel. During her four years in this position, Mrs. Perkins directed over 280 catechists and supported the religious education curriculum for over 1600 elementary students. She worked closely with the Diocese and with the staff at the Parish. At this time, Mrs. Perkins also served on the Parish Council and founded with others the program which supports the Advent and Lenten small faith sharing groups. Mrs. Perkins was involved with the MOMS ministry and taught catechism at the Parish.

Through divine intervention, our Parish campaign brought the dream of a new church and school into a reality. The genesis of St. Thérèse of Carmel and Notre Dame Academy brought the opportunity for Mrs. Perkins to return to the classroom full time. In the fall of 2005, Mrs. Perkins taught second grade for the Academy. During the 2005-06 school year, the Sisters de l'Union Chrétienne de St. Chaumond invited Mrs. Perkins to become Assistant Principal. She continued in this role during the 2006-07 school year, serving grades K-8. In 2007-2008, Mrs. Perkins served as the Assistant Principal for grades K-5. Beginning in 2008-2009, Mrs. Perkins is again serving as the full time AP for grades K-8. Mrs. Perkins has taken several classes towards her administrative credential.

Mrs. Perkins lives in Carmel Valley with her husband, Tim, and their two children, Grace and Matthew. The Perkins' family continues to serve their Parish of over 12 years through the ministries of Eucharistic Ministers and altar servers.

Ms. Segura - Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten Director and Pre-Kindergarten teacher

Ursula Segura joined the NDA faculty in 2005.  She is one of the founding faculty members that assisted the Sisters de 'l Union Chrétienne de St. Chaumond in establishing the opening of their school.  Since coming to NDA, she has served as the Preschool Director, pre-kindergarten teacher, and petite level coordinator.

Ms. Segura has served in education at the public and private sectors and held directorship positions before coming to NDA. She received a degree in Child Development and Education and the following Early Childhood Education certifications: Preschool Director, Master Preschool Teacher Level I, II, and III, Montessori, and Preschool Catechist Certification.

Outside her professional interests Ms. Segura enjoys painting, hiking, and at this time is working on a children's picture book.

She is active in a variety of spiritual organizations, including the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart Retreat House and parish.

An important aspect of her life is family, -- her daughter (high school teacher) and grandson (elementary student).

Middle School

Mrs. Hannon - Algebra

Mrs. Hartmann - 6th Grade Homeroom, Writing, Literature, Religion

Mrs. Krupa - 7th Grade Homeroom, Writing, Literature, Religion

Mrs. Krupa's love for teaching began over thirty years ago on San Juan Indian Reservation in Northern New Mexico, where she taught English to Native Americans.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from St. Mary of the Plains College, completed post graduate work at the University of New Mexico and taught in the public school system for six years.  Her teaching career resumed in California where she earned a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and taught in the Diocese of San Diego for over twenty years. Throughout her teaching career, she has taught preschool through middle school.  In 2007-2008 Mrs. Krupa began teaching in the Middle School at Notre Dame Academy. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she serves as a Level Coordinator.

Mrs. Krupa is guided in her teaching by a strong commitment to create an environment for middle school students that supports a spirit of creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking.  "We live in a world where all our learning is connected, and it is important that our students understand that reading and writing are not just for English class.  These subjects must be infused into everything we do and teach in school."  Having grown up in a Catholic school culture, she provides a rich and challenging curriculum that affords opportunities to integrate spiritual and moral values into every part of her students' lives. It is her goal to combine her range of experience with her ability to be a compassionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated teacher who will make a positive contribution at NDA.

Mrs. Krupa lives in San Diego with her husband.  They have two adult daughters; Lauren is a Speech Pathologist in Huntington Beach, and Sarah is a Real Estate Broker in Del Mar.  Mrs. Krupa's personal interests include golf, horseback riding, and traveling.

Ms. Madero - 8th Grade Homeroom, Literature, Social Science, Spanish, Religion

Mr. Mencias - 6th Grade Homeroom, Math 76, Spanish, Social Science

Mr. Mencias was born in Orange County California and moved at a very young age to Oceanside. He discovered his passion for teaching through helping his mom teach catechism at St. Francis of Assisi. Mr. Mencias graduated from California State University San Marcos with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and began his career as a first grade teacher in Oceanside. He taught in the Oceanside School District for two years, and then joined St. Mary's Star of the Sea school. At St. Mary's he taught sixth grade homeroom for six years. During that time he also taught middle school science, math, religion and Spanish.

Mr. Mencias recently moved to San Marcos with his wife Maria, and three year old son. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends. In his spare time he enjoys playing baseball with his son, indoor soccer, hiking, and running. Mr. Mencias is currently expecting a little daughter. He feels blessed to be part of the Notre Dame Academy family and is energetic about the upcoming year.

Mr. Meyers - Algebra / Geometry

Mrs. Reynolds - 7th Grade Homeroom, Algebra 1/2, Writing, Grammar, Religion

Mrs. Reynolds' passion is teaching, and she is delighted to be part of the Notre Dame Academy's educational and faith community. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and has lived in San Diego for most of her life.  She earned both her undergraduate degree and Lifetime Secondary Teaching Credential at San Diego State University.  She has continued her post-graduate work at National University.

Mrs. Reynolds has been a teacher in the Diocese of San Diego for thirty years. In 2007-2008 she began teaching in the Middle School at NDA. In addition to teaching, she has served as assistant principal at School of the Madeleine and Stella Maris Academy.  She has been on five WCEA-WASC accreditation teams, served as a teacher representative on three school boards, and written a Core Knowledge curriculum in literature and writing for middle grades.  She considers herself a life-long learner and embraces the challenging, but fulfilling, responsibility of working with young people, especially in the middle school grades.  Mrs. Reynolds brings experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to her position as educator and role model.

Mrs. Reynolds is a member of St. Agnes Parish in Point Loma where she has been involved as a catechist teaching Confirmation.   Family is an important part of Mrs. Reynolds' life, and she enjoys time spent with her three grown sons.  Her hobbies include sailing, traveling, and reading.

Mrs. Scioscia - 8th Grade Homeroom, Science

Mrs. Scioscia was born in New York and has lived in Maryland and California. She came to Notre Dame Academy most recently from the Poway Unified School District. Mrs. Scioscia holds a Multiple Subject Credential with an Authorization to teach English Language Learners, as well as Supplemental Authorizations in Science, English, and Social Science. She graduated from California State University San Marcos in May 2003, and since that time has taught Middle School Science and Math. Mrs. Scioscia has experience teaching ELL, Resource Students, and Mainstreamed Special Day Students, as well as AVID (Achievement Via Individual Determination), a college preparatory program. Mrs. Scioscia is a 6th grade homeroom teacher and teaches science to the Middle School students.

Mrs. Scioscia lives in Rancho Bernardo, and is very happy to be teaching at Notre Dame Academy. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Keith, her family, and friends. She enjoys horseback riding, traveling, making jewelry, cooking, and video games.

Elementary School

Ms. Greenspan - 5th Grade

Ms. Greenspan grew up in Oceanside with her twin sister, two younger brothers, and loving parents. She graduated with a B.A. and CLAD credential from the University of San Diego and holds a Masters degree from National University in education with an emphasis on reading. She has been working at Notre Dame Academy since 2006 and has taught both 4th and 5th grade.

Ms. Greenspan currently lives in Carlsbad and enjoys going to the beach, working out at the gym, traveling, shopping, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Mrs. Van Bemmel - 5th Grade

Mrs. Van Bemmel is in her fifth year of teaching fifth grade. Prior to teaching at Notre Dame Academy, Mrs. Van Bemmel taught in the San Diego Unified School District. She has been working with children for nearly all of her adult life and has found her experiences at Notre Dame Academy to be quite rewarding.

Mrs. Van Bemmel completed her undergraduate work at California State University Chico with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. Her studies also included an emphasis in Child Development. Mrs. Van Bemmel completed her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at Chapman University in San Diego. Upon completing her teaching credential, she decided that there were several realms of education that she wanted to specialize in. As such, she pursued an additional credential and Masters degree from National University. As a graduate student, Mrs. Van Bemmel completed her Master of Science degree in Educational Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Credential. She would eventually like to pursue a career that would combine her teaching and counseling expertise.

There was never any doubt that Mrs. Van Bemmel wanted to become an elementary school teacher. As a small child, she used to love to play "school" with her friends and family members. She comes from a long line of educators and seeks advice from both her mom and sister whom are high school counselors in the San Diego area. As a firm believer in the power of education, Mrs. Van Bemmel values each and every day with her students. She hopes to empower them with both academic and life skills and firmly believes in helping to shape strong minds. Each day in her classroom might be challenging; but with each lesson strength will be gained.

Mrs. Boles - 4th Grade

Mrs. Muus - 4th Grade

Mrs. Muus was born into a military family and spent most of her childhood in Hawaii and San Diego. She graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, specializing in Therapeutic Community and Clinical Counseling. After graduation, Mrs. Muus went on to teach pre-school for three years. It was in this setting that she found her love for teaching. While working at the preschool, she took classes at National University,  obtaining a Multiple Subjects Credential and receiving a Masters of Education in Cross-Cultural Teaching.

Prior to working at Notre Dame Academy, she completed her student teaching with the Poway Unified School District at Tierra Bonita Elementary School.  During her student teaching, she  developed lessons using the latest technology; such as interactive whiteboards, student response devices and docu-cams.  Besides her student teaching experiences, Mrs. Muus has worked as a substitute teacher in the Poway Unified School District, teaching kindergarten through fifth grade.  She believes that the youth of today are our greatest resource. As educators, we have an obligation to help each youngster reach his or her potential and provide a solid foundation for the future.

Ms. Bowlsby - 3rd Grade

Ms. Bowlsby received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication studies from the University of Arizona in 2007. She moved to San Diego after she graduated. She went back to school to receive her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Diego State University.

Ms. Bowlsby was a substitute teacher for a year after receiving her teaching credential. She worked in four different school districts as well as the Diocese. Ms Bowlsby student taught in the San Diego Unified School District in Kindergarten and 3rd grade!

Ms. Bowlsby is originally from Iowa City, IA. Her parents now live in the Bay area and she enjoys going up to visit any chance she can get! She has two brothers and one sister. Ms Bowlsby enjoys time with her family, friends, running, going to the beach, and cooking! Ms. Bowlsby currently resides in Pacific Beach.

Ms. Teichman - 3rd Grade

Ms. Teichman received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Cum Laude, from the University of San Diego. She also received her Multiple Subject Credential from the University of San Diego. While in college, Ms. Teichman had the unique opportunity to attend the Study Abroad Semester at Sea, and studied in 11 countries.

Ms. Teichman taught as a regular substitute teacher in the San Diego Unified School District and the Chula Vista Elementary School District. She also was a student teacher at the Walter J. Porter Elementary School.

Ms. Teichman grew up in Dana Point, California with her twin sister, older brother and mom and dad. In her free time, Ms. Teichman enjoys practicing yoga, spending time with her friends and family, traveling, cooking and going to the beach.

Mrs. Dutton - 2nd Grade

Mrs. Dutton lives in Temecula with her husband, Larry, and their three children.

Mrs. Dutton received her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies and her teaching credential from San Diego State University.  She started teaching in 1986 where her first two teaching assignments were at the California Youth Authority and a residential treatment center for adolescence. 

Mrs. Dutton taught first and third grade at St. Didacus Parish School for seven years and second grade at Santa Sophia Academy for two years.  Prior to coming here to NDA she enjoyed being a stay at home mom for seven years.  After which time, she had a calling and a want to go back into the classroom.  She has been blessed to have been led to this amazing school. Mrs. Dutton began teaching at Notre Dame Academy in 2007-2008.

Mrs. Parker - 2nd Grade

Mrs. Parker is originally from San Francisco, California.  She graduated from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA, in 1997 receiving her Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and Sociology.  After she graduated from college, she moved to Baltimore, MD, to volunteer with Notre Dame Mission Volunteers-Americorps as a teacher assistant to second, third and fourth graders.  After her year of service, she remained in Baltimore and accepted a job as a preschool teacher at a head start program.

Mrs. Parker then decided to pursue her education as well as become an elementary school teacher. She applied to Towson University and continued her education by receiving her Master's in Early Childhood Education in 2001 while teaching Kindergarten.  She taught Kindergarten at St. Mary of the Assumption School for five years before deciding to move back to California.

Mrs. Parker moved to San Diego in the summer of 2004.  At that time, she accepted a job as an Assistant Director at a private preschool where she gained many leadership skills.  After two and a half years, she realized she missed being in the classroom, so she decided to resign as Assistant Director and pursue a California Teaching Credential.  

While working on completing the requirements to receive her credential, she got married in 2006.   She and her husband reside in Rancho Peñasquitos where she hopes to one day have a family.  They are both active parishioners at St. Michael's Church in Poway. 

2007-2008 was her first year here at NDA teaching Second Grade. She is looking forward to being at NDA for years to come.

Mrs. Burns - 1st Grade

Mrs. Burns earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the California University of Pennsylvania.  She began her career as a 3^rd grade teacher at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin School in Pittsburgh, PA, moving later to St. Elizabeth Elementary School.  Mrs. Burns continued her post-graduate education at the University of Pittsburgh and at Penn State University and was awarded a permanent teaching certificate from the State of Pennsylvania.  She interrupted her teaching career to raise her two children, Neal and Stephanie.  Mrs. Burns then taught part-time in the Brentwood (PA) Public School System, primarily kindergarten and first grade.

In 1998 Mrs. Burns moved to San Diego with her husband and daughter, leaving Neal behind in Pittsburgh to attend Carnegie Mellon University, from which he graduated in 2002.  While Stephanie was a student at Torrey Pines High School, Mrs. Burns was an active member of the Torrey Pines High School Foundation Board.  Stephanie later graduated from George Mason University in Virginia.

In 2001 Mrs. Burns started a pre-school, "Magic Mornings", at St. William of York Catholic Church.  Magic Mornings continued through 2005 until the classroom was demolished to make way for the new Church -- St. Therese of Carmel.  During this time, Mrs. Burns became increasingly involved in the campaign to raise funds for the new Church and school, eventually taking on the role of Chairwoman for the annual auction event (Fiesta!) in 2004.  Mrs. Burns remains an enthusiastic contributor to the St. Therese of Carmel parish community, where she served two years as Vice President of the church Guild as well as on various auction committees.

Mrs. Burns re-entered the teaching profession full-time with the inauguration of Notre Dame Academy of Carmel Valley in 2005, when she became the First-Grade teacher.  She is one of four original teachers who have remained to play an important role in the school's evolution.  Mrs. Burns cherishes the opportunity she has had to help the school grow and to make an impact on her students and their parents.

Mrs. Burns presently resides with her husband, Darrell, in Carmel Valley.

Mrs. Fontes - 1st Grade

Mrs. Fontes received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  After relocating to California she earned her Professional Clear California Teaching Credential at National University.  Her experience in education during the past fifteen years includes substitute teaching in grades K-5 and contracted positions in both Orange County and San Diego County.  She began teaching at Notre Dame Academy in 2006-2007.  She feels privileged to be the first grade "hands-on" science teacher for both first grade classes.

Mrs. Fontes resides in Escondido and attends the Church of St. Timothy where she is involved in several ministries.  She has taught religious education in kindergarten for many years and has also taught the First Communion class.  She has also been a sponsor in RCIA and has been a catechist in RCIC.  She is a Eucharistic Minister and along with her husband, Michael, teaches infant Baptism classes to parents.

Jane and Michael have four children, Mark, Kristin, Andrew, and Matthew.  Andrew and his wife Myra have a baby boy, Joel, who is a complete joy to his grandparents!

In her free time Mrs. Fontes enjoys cooking, spending time with Joel, being outdoors with her dog, Zoe, going to the beach, and traveling. 

Mrs. Fontes loves teaching her first graders at Notre Dame Academy.  "One Family, Always United!"

Ms. Comey - Kindergarten

Ms. Comey is originally from Glendale, California where she attended a Catholic elementary school, Holy Redeemer. After high school, she went to college at San Diego State where she majored in Liberal Studies. She spent two years in beautiful San Diego and then moved to Lake Tahoe, where she received a Bachelors of Science in Humanities and Psychology at Sierra Nevada College in Incline, Nevada. She obtained her teaching credentials from the Sierra Nevada College Teacher Education program immediately after receiving her Bachelors Degree.

After completing the teaching credential program, she moved to the San Francisco area where she taught First Grade for a year at Saint Patrick Elementary School. She moved to the Fifth Grade where she taught for three years. Although she loved Northern California, it was time for her to relocate to gorgeous Southern California where her parents live. Her sister is newly married and just had a baby of her own. Ms. Comey wanted to be close to her new niece. Ms. Comey has really enjoyed all of the elementary school grade levels that she has taught.  She feels Kindergarten is such an amazing age of curiosity and enthusiasm for school and learning. She looks forward to teaching kindergarten here at NDA.

Ms. Lamberjack - Kindergarten

Miss Lamberjack has been exploring and thoroughly enjoying San Diego since 2006. She's originally from a small town in Ohio called Carey.  She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Very soon after, she and her older sister decided to venture to the west coast. Her parents and two younger brothers are still in Ohio and she tries to go back and visit them as much as possible.

She has been teaching kindergarten here at Notre Dame Academy since 2008 along with Miss Rhea. She feels very blessed to be a part of this Catholic community and to have been so warmly welcomed into the NDA family. She attended a Catholic school for all of her elementary years and is thrilled to be a part of the Catholic education experience at this school. Teaching is one of her greatest passions in life, especially in Kindergarten. She believes that seeing life through the eyes of young children definitely gives you a great outlook on the world and she enjoys the enthusiasm and energy that the children bring into her classroom each and every day.

Miss Lamberjack is a member of St. Brigid's Parish where she is a Eucharistic Minister and has taught Reconciliation and First Communion during Sunday School. Her friends and family are extremely important to her. She makes it a priority to get to the beach as much as possible. She has managed to pick up a new hobby of surfing since that is somewhat difficult to do in Ohio! She also enjoys traveling, all outdoor activities, and cheering on the OSU Buckeyes!

Ms. Rhea - Kindergarten

Miss Rhea was born and raised here in sunny San Diego and is blessed to have come from a very large extended family. She attended and played soccer for the University of Redlands for both her Undergraduate and Graduate studies. She spent half a year living in Spain studying Spanish, History and Art and is excited to be involved in a school that gives such an incredible opportunity for the learning of multiple languages.

She spent last year teaching both Kindergarten and First grade in a combination class at a private Catholic school in La Mesa. She is also a youth minister at her home parish St. Luke in Rancho San Diego.

It seems most of her time is spent here in the classroom doing what she loves.  Up until October, her free time consisted of training for the San Francisco Marathon. Her goal has been completed, she made it to the finish line!

She feels very fortunate to now be a part of the Notre Dame Academy family and is looking forward to getting to know the wonderful members of this school and parish.

Mrs. Shepard - Kindergarten

Petites

Sr. Marie Carmen - Pre-Kindergarten

Sister Marie Carmen, a native Spanish speaker, was born in Guatemala, where she lived and studied until she moved to France to join the religious order of the Sisters Institute de l'Union-Chrétienne de Saint Chaumond. After studying in France and Spain, where she majored in the French and Spanish languages, Sister Marie Carmen's religious order sent her to the United States.

While in Orange County California, she attended college to study Early Childhood Education, Administration in Early Childhood Education, and gained experience in developing after school extended day programs.  In addition to her studies in the United States, she worked in the local parish preschool and, for twelve years, tutored and/or taught French and Spanish after school classes for the local parish school.

When the Sisters Institute de l'Union-Chrétienne de Saint Chaumond built Notre Dame Academy in San Diego, California, in 2005, Sister Marie Carmen began her tenure at Notre Dame Academy where she has continued to be involved in early childhood education programs as well as the teaching of French and Spanish languages. 

Mrs. Jarosinska - Pre-Kindergarten

Teaching has been a magnificent journey for Mrs. Jarosinska and she feels blessed to continue thriving in her passion among all the amazing children of Notre Dame Academy. She is also a musician and can easily call music her other passion. Mrs. Jarosinska learned the violin at a young age and finished the School of Music in her hometown of Poland, Tczew. Today she is one of two violinists in an amazing Ensemble called Rondo.

About 20 years ago, her family moved to the States from Poland, where she worked as both an elementary school teacher for grades one through three and as a music teacher. Mrs. Jarosinska's wonderful children and her husband have lived here in San Diego almost two decades. She feels very lucky to live out by the ocean where she spends time when she is not at work.

Over twenty years of teaching children has kept her light hearted, compassionate and creative. She looks forward to her magnificent journey that continuously inspires her faith.

Ms. Lara-Rodriguez - Pre-Kindergarten

Mrs. Gavieres - Preschool

After dedicating many years to her family, Mrs. Gavieres began her teaching career as a substitute teacher for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio.  She then taught part-time at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Cincinnati.  In 2006 Mrs. Gavieres joined Notre Dame Academy as an office assistant and a substitute teacher.  She now teaches full-time at the Preschool Level.

Mrs. Gavieres received her Bachelor of Science degree from Wheeling Jesuit University (formerly Wheeling College) in 1986.  She and her husband, Ruben, have three children, Christopher, Joseph and Sarah.  She and her family have a dog, a cat and some fish.  In her spare time, Mrs. Gavieres enjoys time with her family, traveling and gardening.  She also serves on the Liturgical Environment Committee at St. Therese of Carmel Parish.

Mrs. Lippoldt - Preschool

Mrs. Lippoldt was born in Dallas, Texas. Mrs. Lippoldt received both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Business Administration, and Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.  Prior to teaching preschool, Mrs. Lippoldt worked in the field of psychology, conducting psychological evaluations on toddlers, children, adolescents and geriatric individuals.  Mrs. Lippoldt was also involved in staff training, working with profoundly delayed adults, and developing behavior management programs for children with challenging behaviors.  Mrs. Lippoldt has worked with preschool age children for 17 years.  Prior to accepting a teaching position at Notre Dame Academy, she taught preschool for 3 years. Mrs. Lippoldt attended Catholic schools her entire life, and is a strong proponent of the life long benefits of Catholic education.

Mrs. Lippoldt, her husband, and two daughters have been members of St. Therese of Carmel parish since moving to San Diego.   Mrs. Lippoldt has had the wonderful experience of teaching Faith Formation for three of those years.  Mrs. Lippoldt's two daughters will be attending Notre Dame Academy in the fall of 2010. Mrs. Lippoldt is thrilled to be a part of the Notre Dame Academy family, and looks forward to teaching here for many years.

Ms. McCain - Preschool

Ms. McCain is a native of San Diego. She graduated from California State University San Marcos in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Ms. McCain has taken continuing education classes in Early Childhood Education, and has a passion for teaching preschoolers.

In Ms. McCain's spare time she enjoys going to the beach, being with friends, traveling, playing tennis, snowboarding and spending time with her best friend with paws, Trystan.

Ms. Taylor- Preschool

Special Area Teachers

Mrs. Abrams - Art

Author, Art Director, Art Instructor, and mother of two, Michelle Abrams has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University, and a broad range of experience in the creative arts, including animating for Sesame Street, serving as a Creative Director in Los Angeles, managing her own San Diego design studio, producing her own unique watercolor paintings, and teaching fine art to adults and young children in her Point Loma art studio.  Over the last 18 years Michelle's professional experience, enthusiasm, and contagious love for the arts helps to bring out the best from her imaginative young art students. 

In 1996, Michelle partnered with her designer husband, Glenn, to create Kids-Did-It! Properties™, a San Diego art-licensing and design studio that publishes their growing Kids-Did-It! Designs® art collection of fresh and colorful images, most created by Michelle's young art students, ages 5 to 14.  In addition to learning the fundamentals of art and design, each young artist also earns royalties for the reproduction of their artwork. 

Their recent book, "Blue Cows & Happy Fruit: Discovering the Artist in Your Child" is an inspirational new how-to/picture book showcasing kids' artwork from their collection, and includes a visual art vocabulary plus hands-on art and design exercises for beginning artists, the same exercises used as the basis for much of the outstanding artwork featured in their collection.

Sr. Gabriel Marie - Spanish

Madame Hacher - French

Marielle Hacher is a French citizen, originally from Lebanon where she was born. She attended the Franciscan Catholic School in Beirut until she moved to Paris at the age of 15 with her whole family. Madame Hacher graduated from The University of Paris La Sorbonne and majored in Economic Sciences. 

Madame Hacher got married in Paris and moved a few years later to Beirut for her husband's work. During the 12 years in Lebanon, she had the great opportunity to teach French with the Jesuit Catholic Sisters at le Collège des Saints-Coeurs, from 1st to 9th grade (Le Brevet), and held the French Coordinator position. Madame Hacher continued her education by taking several classes and trainings at La Mission Culturelle Française and she was asked by the Sister Principal to establish and manage a Library for the Primary.

In June 2007, Madame Hacher moved to San Diego with her family: her husband, her two daughters, and their little Pomeranian. The first year in San Diego, Madame Hacher volunteered at the PUSD  School District and then became a Translator and Interpreter for the District. Madame Hacher was blessed to meet Sister Marie Pascale and had the honor to start teaching French at Notre Dame Academy since 2008.

The Hacher family joined St. Thérèse of Carmel Catholic Church Community in 2007 and Madame Hacher has now the privilege to serve as a member of the Ministry of Hospitality.

Madame Hacher loves her wonderful students and teaching them French, her native language, and she believes that they are Angels!

Mrs. Heller - Music

Mrs. Heller's love of music began at a young age when she was a choir member in the United Methodist Church.  She was active in chorus throughout high school.  As an adult, she felt called to the Catholic Church and converted ten years ago.  She went through the RCIA program at St. John Catholic Church.  She is currently a member of St. John's Parish in Encinitas.

Mrs. Heller went to William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Illinois and received her AA in Medical Transcription.  She worked for ten years at Heller Lumber Company, in Arlington Heights, Illinois - a company started by her grandfather.  She moved to San Diego in 1985 and had her two daughters 

Ann has been teaching General Music for 10 years in the San Diego Diocese.  In addition to teaching general music classes, she has coordinated annual Christmas Pageants and Variety Shows.  She has written the script and music for a Christmas Musical that has been performed at St. James and at St. John.

Ann has had a children's choir that sang monthly at St. James Parish, and has been the accompanist for the summer youth musicals at St. John's for the past two years.   She has been playing in local bands for ten years and is currently in a local band - Fleetwood MAX - a Fleetwood Mac Tribute band that plays locally.  She plays the part of Christie McVie.

Mrs. Marsella - Technology

Mrs. Marsella grew up in Catholic School. From St. Joseph's of Salem New Hampshire, to St. Columba's in Serra Mesa to the University of San Diego High School (go Dons!). When her daughter came to the age to begin Kindergarten, she naturally looked for a Catholic School for her to attend; however, neither All Hollow's nor St. James had room for her daughter that year. When NDA was built, the family made the move from the private school they were attending to come home to Catholic education. Mrs. Marsella wanted to give her children what she had growing up - a rich education rooted in her Catholic faith tradition. 

Having been on hiatus from the classroom for a few years, Mrs. Marsella was naturally drawn to all the volunteer opportunities at NDA where her education background could be of help. She taught a math enrichment class in 4^th grade, helped to facilitate morning read each day in the Kindergarten classroom, and went into the Computer Lab to volunteer every week. 

Having spent many volunteer hours in the lab, she was honored to have been chosen to work as the Technology Teacher at NDA. Mrs. Marsella comes to this position with over 10 years of classroom teaching experience. She holds a BA in Liberal Studies from UC Santa Barbara and a Master's in Teacher Education from UCLA. She firmly believes in the importance of integrating technology into the learning experience of all students. Mrs. Marsella won a grant award while teaching in Southeast San Diego which allowed her school to purchase its first portable multimedia work station and changed the face of student presentations as well as teacher delivery of instruction. As a member of the District Technology team in Waterford, CT, she helped to create the District Technology Curriculum for grades K-6. She managed and oversaw the network in the computer lab at Quaker Hill Elementary School in Waterford for the 5 years she taught there. 

Mrs. Marsella's classroom experience has been mainly at the middle elementary grades (3^rd - 6^th) in self-contained classrooms. She has also taught religious education for over nine years in grades 2-8. The past 6 years she was a teacher for a preschool music program called Music Together in Carmel Valley - a wonderful program that integrates music, rhythm and movement into a parent-child music experience for children ages 0-5. She is happy to have a few former students from those classes now in her Technology classes each week here at NDA.

Mrs. Marsella lives in Carmel Valley. St Therese is her family parish. Each week, with her husband of 16 years Pericles, and her children Nika and Aydin, she is happy to come together with the parish community to worship and praise God for all her many blessings. Among those blessings, she is so proud to count her new home in the Technology Lab at Notre Dame Academy. It gives her such joy to come to work each day and know that she can teach and pray with her students as we grow together in our understanding of technology and in our understanding of our faith.

Mr. Nolen - Athletic Director

Mrs. Peterka - Music

Mrs. Peterka works with the music programs at NDA and St. Therese of Carmel.

She and her husband moved to San Diego in 1988 from Czech Republic, where she received most of her music education.

After her first daughter was born in 1989 she started a children's choir at Good Shepherd Church in Mira Mesa where children sang during services and school events. Soon a large group of home schooling families were in need of choral instruction and for the next five years the children's choir was singing in many different churches all over the San Diego Diocese.

Mrs. Peterka moved with her family to Carmel Valley in 1994 and ever since has been parishioners of St. William of York / St. Therese Church. She then started the children's choir at St. Therese of Carmel.

Children have been singing at monthly Masses with Children, participating in service projects, putting musicals together, and recording keepsake CDs with their favorite songs at the end of each year.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Peterka's three daughters were born and she continued her music education at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.

Mrs. Peterka has been teaching elementary music at NDA since the school was established in 2005. She is very excited to explore musical possibilities and challenges with all students. Her big hope is to pass her joy of music onto all of them.

Mrs. Pirolli - Math 87, Learning Resource Center

Mrs. Pirolli is a native of southern California. She grew up in Torrance, where she attended Catholic School for 12 years. She then moved to San Diego to attend the University of California at San Diego, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Literature. After graduating from college, Mrs. Pirolli received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Diego State University, while working part time as a teacher's aide at Toler Elementary School and Marston Middle School.

Mrs. Pirolli worked as a substitute teacher in San Diego City Schools for two years before accepting a Kindergarten teaching position at St. John of the Cross Catholic School in Lemon Grove. She remained in that position for four years and then "moved up" with her class to First Grade, which she taught for five years. Mrs. Pirolli spent her tenth and final year at St. John of the Cross teaching Fifth Grade, where she had the pleasure of teaching many of her former First Grade students!

In 2005, Mrs. Pirolli married her husband, Tom, a long-time parishioner of St. Therese of Carmel. Shortly after the wedding, it was announced that Notre Dame Academy was opening in time for the 2005-2006 school year, and was interviewing teachers. This provided the opportunity that Mrs. Pirolli had been waiting for; a chance to teach in her own parish school. Mrs. Pirolli is proud to be known as the first Sixth Grade Teacher at Notre Dame Academy. She taught Sixth Grade for two years, before taking a leave of absence to give birth to her twin daughters, Katie and Olivia, in 2007. Mrs. Pirolli returned to NDA part time this year as a teacher in the Learning Resource Center. In addition to her work at NDA, she and her husband have been involved in St. Therese's RCIA program and with parish blood drives. Mrs. Pirolli also spent 12 summers at the San Diego Zoo, giving guided tours to visitors on the double-decker busses. She currently resides in Sorrento Valley with her husband and their daughters.

Mr. Ransom - Athletic Director

Mrs. Tukey - Librarian

Mrs. Tukey holds a M.S. in Accounting from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Minnesota.

In 1983, she began her career in San Diego as the Chief Financial Officer for a defense contractor.  She went on to form her own bookkeeping business, which she owned and operated for 16 years.

Mrs. Tukey and her family joined St. William of York Parish in 1989 when they moved to Carmel Valley.  She served as a Catechist for both St William and St. Therese for 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades.  In addition to her commitment to the Catholic Church, she served as a member of the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board from 1991 to 2005.  She helped guide the St. Therese Building Committee through the City of San Diego's planning process. 

Mrs. Tukey began working as a Media Center Specialist/Instructional Aide for the Solana Beach School District in 2001 and was a substitute teacher prior to her employment at Notre Dame Academy. She has training in the use of the Alexandria media management/circulation software program, attends seminars at the San Diego County Office of Education, and is a member of the California Reading Association, the International Reading Association, the Association of Independent School Librarians and the California Library Association.  She is dedicated to increasing literacy and instilling a love for reading in children.

Mrs. Tukey is a member of the St. Therese of Carmel Parish Guild and is actively involved in the Wedding Ministry. Her husband is the Director of the UCSD Superfund Program and a Professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology.  She has four children and two grandchildren.

Ms. Willadsen - Learning Resource Center

Ms. Willadsen - Curriculum Director, Learning Resource Center

Ms. Shirley Willadsen joined our NDA Staff as the Learning Resource Specialist in September 2009.  We are fortunate to be able to utilize her skills and expertise to support students and teachers at NDA.  She brings 30 years of experience with the San Diego County Office of Education School System.  She feels every student can learn when we teach them ways to learn through their strengths and favorite modalities.

Ms. Willadsen has a Masters Degree in Mild/Moderate Special Education from San Diego State University and an Educational Specialist Degree in Special Education with an Administrator's Credential from Point Loma Nazarene University.  She is also a core adjunct professor for both USD and National University in the education departments.

The Learning Resource Center is designed to support all students at NDA in any areas that they need guidance. Support is provided within the class setting, in small group and consultation with teachers. All students can learn at their highest potential with positive supports and effective instructional strategies that meets them where they are!