|
|
Ms. Tracy Kendall- Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Kendall has lived in the Atlanta area for 30 years. She graduated from Kennesaw State University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and taught language arts at McCleskey Middle School in Cobb County. She then went back to school for Accounting and worked for MicroBilt Corporation for seven years as an Accounts Payable Manager and Sales Analyst. Later, she enjoyed being a business partner in Kendall Electrical Services, Inc. She taught Pre-K classes at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta, and will begin her fourth year teaching Kindergarten at Holy Spirit. She is active with the Georgia Odyssey of the Mind and has been a judge since 2004.
Ms. Robyn Radosta-
Kindergarten Aide
Ms. Radosta was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She attended middle school at Immaculate Heart of Mary, and went on to graduate from St. Pius X Catholic High School. Ms. Radosta received her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Development from the University of Georgia. In the fall of 2005, she joined Holy Spirit Preparatory Preschool as an Assistant Teacher. She now continues her career with Holy Spirit, as she pursues a teaching assistant opportunity with the Lower School. Ms. Radosta feels so blessed to be involved with this school community. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, loves listening to music, and enjoys activities such as cooking, playing tennis and traveling.
Mrs. Tamarra Forrer-
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Forrer graduated from the
University of Georgia. Her experiences in college ranged from international
studies at the University of Oxford, UK to chairing the Bike for Life committee
for the Brain Tumor Foundation. Her love of teaching and children has led her to
pursue her Masters in teaching through Mercer University. Mrs. Forrer joined Holy Spirit
Prep in 2003. The sense of community and quality education keeps her loyal to the school. She is looking forward to a great year teaching kindergarten. In her spare time, Mrs. Forrer enjoys reading and physical activities such as running, swimming, and aerobics.
Mrs. Cindy Whelan- Kindergarten Aide
Mrs. Whelan was born in Augusta, Georgia and raised largely in Wilmington, North Carolina where she graduated from Laney High School. Mrs. Whelan holds an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Peace College in Raleigh, North Carolina and a BS in Zoology from North Carolina State University. Her primary focus over the past twenty years has been in raising her own 6 children, 4 of who presently attend Holy Spirit Prep and another who graduated, with honors, with Holy Spirit’s inaugural graduating class. In addition to active volunteer leadership roles with her children’s activities, Mrs. Whelan has served as a Life Teen Youth Minister and was called upon to introduce Life Teen into the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. She is still occasionally asked to lead retreats. Mrs. Whelan admits her passion after years of motherhood is to “work with the little ones.”
Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas- Kindergarten Aide
Mrs. Thomas was born in Lafayette, Louisiana and she graduated Cum Laude from Dillard University with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work. She has four children, three of whom attend Holy Spirit, and her oldest daughter is a recent graduate of Georgia State. Mrs. Thomas worked as a social worker from 1983 to 1995 and then started an in-home childcare business. The business grew into a childcare center and since then she has dedicated her life to loving and nurturing children. She continues to be involved with families and children through her work with children who have been removed from the home for varies reasons, helping and directing the family to reunification. Mrs. Thomas believes that to change a child's life through love changes a mind. Mrs. Thomas looks forward to joining Holy Spirit and becoming a part of the difference.
Mrs. Rita Joseph- Pre-1st Teacher
Mrs. Joseph is native to Karachi, Pakistan. She was raised in a Catholic family in the city of Karachi. Mrs. Joseph attended St. Joseph's Convent School and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from St. Patrick's College. She completed her Primary Teacher's Training from the Karachi University. Mrs. Joseph began her teaching career in St. John Vianney School and subsequently taught in Holy Trinity School and The Karachi Grammar School. Mrs. Joseph and her family migrated to the United States in 1980. She has been teaching in the U.S.A. For 28 years- first at Piedmont North Academy, then at Pinecrest Academy and now is happily continuing her teaching career for the eighth year at Holy Spirit Preparatory School. Mrs. Joseph has attended courses by the National Consultants for Education in Dallas and Chicago and the 2004 Summer Development Program in Atlanta-Building Academic Excellence in Writing. Mrs. Joseph was on the National Consultants for Education Committee that put together the curriculum for Pre K to Kindergarten. In November 2007 , Mrs. Joseph was awarded the Georgia Independent Schools Award for 25 of service in Independent schools. Mrs. Joseph has recently completed The Orton – Gillingham Course. Mrs. Joseph and her husband have five grown children and are enjoying five delightful grandchildren.
Ms. Brittney Thomas- Pre-1st Aide
Beginning her collegiate career at Xavier University of Louisiana, Ms. Thomas worked in the activities department and was active in campus life. This past May she completed her undergraduate study at Georgia State University, where she received a bachelors of arts and sciences in psychology. As an active member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, she pursued a rigorous academic track and graduated with honors. Ms. Thomas is a native of Florida, where she attended Saint Margaret Mary Elementary School. Upon moving to Marietta, Georgia, where she now resides, she attended Saint Joseph Catholic School and later graduated from Marietta High School with a dual diploma. Over the summer Ms. Thomas volunteered as a program intern at the Center for Children and Young Adults, and enjoys giving back to the community. She plans to obtain a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Certificate in Marriage and Family Counseling.
Mrs. Christine Garcia- 1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Garcia was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL where she attended Assumption Catholic School during her elementary years. In 2001 she graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelors degree in Pre-Kindergarten/Primary Education. Before joining Holy Spirit in 2007 she taught kindergarten and first grade at Dolvin Elementary, in Alpharetta, and Livingston Elementary, in Jacksonville. While teaching in Jacksonville she was the literacy model teacher for kindergarten, which included two years of intensive literacy training. Mrs. Garcia and her husband Sean relocated to the Atlanta area in 2004. Her hobbies include exercising, cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Mrs. Virginia Wilson-
1st Grade Aide
Mrs. Wilson was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where she attended Catholic school from grades one through twelve. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from New York University and worked for several years as an editor at a scientific publishing company. She then went back to school and earned a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. She clerked for a federal judge in New York, practiced law at a firm in Washington, D.C. and worked in export enforcement at the Department of Commerce. When she married her husband, Roger, she moved to Atlanta. Mrs. Wilson has been at Holy Spirit since 2004 and her daughter, Sara Jewel, is in the class of 2017.
Mrs. Allison Koski- 1st Grade
Teacher
Mrs. Koski was born in Athens, Georgia, where she attended St. Joseph's Catholic School. She graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education. Her 11 years of teaching experience are comprised of 3 years in Pre-K, 5 years in 2nd grade at St. John the Evangelist, and 3 years at Holy Spirit Preparatory School. Throughout her career, she has attended many professional development courses and has been trained in Readers and Writers Workshop, Guided Reading, Sitton Spelling, and Orton-Gillingham. She lives in Lilburn with her husband Steven and her children Rebecca and James. Her favorite pastimes are pottery, playing classical violin, making rosaries, and any time spent with her family.
Mrs. Silvia Smith- 1st Grade Aide
Mrs. Smith was born in Houston, TX and raised in Nashville, TN. She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she received an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She decided she wanted to go into teaching after working in an after-school care program for the YMCA. Mrs. Smith joined the Holy Spirit Prep team in 2007 and she hopes to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. She and her husband Nick belong to St. Brendan the Navigator’s Catholic Church in Cumming, GA and are active members of a small faith community in the parish. They are expecting their first child in September 2008. Mrs. Smith enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Ms. Lynn Mooney- 1st Grade Teacher
Ms. Mooney was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She moved to Atlanta in 1993 to attend Georgia State University where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Early Education. She received a Masters in Health Studies from the University of Alabama. She spent seven years teaching both 1st and 2nd grade for Cobb County Schools. While teaching for Cobb County she coordinated an after school/summer school program, tutored students in an after school tutoring program, and acted as a mentor in a school wide mentoring program. She enjoys distance running and spends her free time training for marathons.
Ms. Mooney joined Holy Spirit Prep in 2007 and she is looking forward to many fulfilling years at HSP.
Ms. Caroline Bligh- 2nd Grade Teacher
Originally from Long Island, New York, Ms. Bligh was raised in Atlanta where she attended Our Lady of the Assumption School and Marist School. In 2007, she received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Theology from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. She is excited to share her experiences and love of teaching as she continues with her second year teaching second grade at Holy Spirit Preparatory School. Ms. Bligh has been a parishioner of OLA since 1991 and stays involved in the community through various services projects. In her spare time she enjoys running the annual Peachtree Road Race 10K.
Ms. Karen Mitchell- 2nd Grade
Teacher
Mrs. Mitchell comes to Holy Spirit Prep from Brown Elementary School in Cobb County. She brings with her a background in education that includes having worked for four years as a science lab assistant at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and as a paraprofessional in the media center at Brown Elementary for five years. Mrs. Mitchell graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercer University in 2006, and earned her Georgia Educator Certificate in both early childhood and middle grades education. Mrs. Mitchell and her husband are parishioners of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Smyrna, where her husband is studying for the diaconate. They have two children, a son and a daughter who attend the University of Georgia. Karen currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Camp Juliette Low.
Ms. Jen Tatasciore- 2nd Grade
Teacher
Ms. Tatasciore was born and raised in New Jersey, right outside of Philadelphia. She received a Catholic education throughout her elementary and high school years. During high school, she taught Sunday school for a Kindergarten class. Ms. Tatasciore graduated from the College of Charleston in December of 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. During her time in Charleston, she worked at Sundrops Montessori School for two and a half years. She then moved to Atlanta and worked at Solidarity School for almost three years teaching 2nd and 3rd grades. Through working at Solidarity, she began working with different Holy Spirit educators and organizations that spent time with the Solidarity students. She loves working here and feels very blessed to be a part of the Holy Spirit family.
Mrs. Patricia Amu- 2nd Grade Aide
Mrs. Amu was born and raised in the United Kingdom. She graduated with honors, from the University of Luton
in 1994. Her children attend Holy Spirit Prep School. Nnamdi is in the Holy Spirit Prep class of 2016 and Nki is in the Holy Spirit Prep class of 2017. Mrs. Amu and her family are parishioners of Christ the King.
Mrs. Susan McCurry-3rd Grade Teacher
Mrs. McCurry is a graduate of the State University of New York College at Cortland with a BA in Economics. After a 16 year banking career, Mrs. McCurry decided to pursue her passion for teaching and began instruction at Kennesaw State University in Elementary Education. Mrs. McCurry completed her teacher’s certification through Western Governors University in the spring of 2007. Mrs. McCurry has been on staff at HSPS since 2004 working as a teacher’s aide while completing her teacher’s certification. Mrs. McCurry provided a range of enrichment opportunities for grades one through four at the Lower School while fulfilling her teacher’s aide duties, and, working with Dr. Pascavage, implemented the pen pal program between the students at HSPS and Escuela Internationale Sampedrana in Honduras. She is thrilled to be able to work with such an amazing group of educators. Mrs. McCurry and her husband Allen are parishioners at St. Ann’s in Marietta and have three boys: Liam, HSPS class of 2015, Conal, class of 2016, and Declan, class of 2020.
Ms. Colleen Rambasek- 3rd Grade Teacher
Ms. Rambasek is originally from Ohio. She attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school. During four of those years she attended St. Joseph’s Elementary in Marietta. She graduated Cum Laude from Miami University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and was a member of the swim team. She then earned a Master’s degree in Reading from Miami University and went on to teach second grade for three years at Marshall Elementary in Oxford, Ohio. In 2006 she relocated to Atlanta, and taught for one year in Marietta City Schools. During that time she was recognized by Who's Who Among Teachers. Ms. Rambasek is a member of Holy Spirit Church. She looks forward to the continuing opportunities Holy Spirit Prep School will provide.
Mrs. Carol Dietrich-
3rd Grade Teacher
Carol Broadwell Dietrich was born and raised in Atlanta and holds degrees from Florida College, Georgia State University and is currently pursuing a Master's degree from Western Governor's University. Mrs. Dietrich joined Holy Spirit Preparatory School staff in 2005. In a volunteer capacity she has served as Vice President and President of the Holy Spirit Lower School Parent Association. Prior to coming to Holy Spirit Prep, Mrs. Dietrich spent more than twenty years in Management training with an emphasis in Leadership Development as President of Training Systems International. She has co-authored two books: 101 Ways to Supervise Like a Human Being and The New Supervisor which is currently used as a textbook at Ohio State University. Mrs. Dietrich was also radio talk show host of “Workplace Management, the People Skills Show”. Mrs. Dietrich and her family are currently parishioners of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Sandy Springs. Mrs. Dietrich and her husband Eric have three children attending Holy Spirit Prep in classes of 2013, 2016 and 2017.
Mrs. Jamie Reger-
3rd Grade Aide
Mrs. Reger, a native of Atlanta, attended Catholic school from second grade through high school. After graduating from St. Pius X in Atlanta, she continued her education at the University of Dallas, where she earned a B.A. in German. She also holds a M.A. in German and Applied Linguistics from Georgia State University. After receiving her M.A. in 2005, she was married at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and soon moved to South Bend, Indiana, where her husband earned a Master of Theological Studies degree from the University of Notre Dame. In addition to her interest in foreign languages, Mrs. Reger loves working with children. She has many years of experience working with children in various capacities and hopes to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. Both she and her husband, who teaches Chemistry at the Upper School, feel blessed to be a part of the Holy Spirit community.
Mrs. Patricia Hames- 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Hames was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Kansas City, Missouri at the age of seven. She attended Northwest Missouri Sate University where she earned her Bachelors Degree with a triple major in Elementary Education/Learning Disabilities/Behavior Disorders. After college, she married and moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where her husband pursued a degree in Golf Course Design. Mrs. Hames taught for 4 years in South Carolina until a job offer for her husband, Casey, moved the family to Atlanta. After teaching for 3 years in Forsyth County schools where she was honored to be selected as the 2002-2003 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Hames joined the Holy Spirit Preparatory team as a 4th grade teacher in 2003. Shortly after, daughter Olivia, who currently attends the Holy Spirit Preschool, was born. The Hames family welcomed baby Charlie in April 2006. Some of Mrs. Hames’s favorite experiences have been as a Special Olympics coach, an Academic Excellence Coach, Spelling Bee Coordinator, a running club sponsor for children living in rural areas.
Mrs. Whitney Ingram-
4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Ingram was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She attended Christ the King for elementary school and graduated from St. Pius X High School. Mrs. Ingram then attended the College of Charleston in South Carolina, where she graduated Cum Laude with a major in Psychology. Additionally, she has a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Oglethorpe University. Mrs. Ingram has been teaching kindergarten at Holy Spirit Prep, but is excited about transferring to a fourth grade classroom. She feels blessed to be teaching in such a faith-filled and spiritual environment! Mrs. Ingram and her husband are parishioners of Holy Spirit Church. When at home, they enjoy playing with their new baby, Henley.
Mrs. Kimberly Summers- 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Summers has lived in Georgia, California, and Wisconsin. She attended Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, earning both an undergraduate degree in English and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Summers worked as a nanny for four years before teaching. She currently lives in Alpharetta with her husband and their “furry child,” Luckie. Mrs. Summers loves theater, reading, writing, and shopping.
Mrs. Angela Olesen- 5th & 6th Grade Math Teacher
Mrs. Olesen grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and attended Blessed Sacrament School and Notre Dame Academy. She graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She met her husband at Ohio State. After their wedding they moved to Georgia to attend graduate school. Mrs. Olesen studied psychology on a fellowship to Emory University. She earned a Master of Education degree from North Georgia College. Her honors include The Ohio State University Biological Sciences Honorary, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and Golden Key National Honor Society. She obtained her gifted endorsement and is a member of the Georgia Association For Gifted Children. Before having children she taught science at South Forsyth High School in Cumming, Georgia. The family belongs to Prince of Peace parish in Flowery Branch. Her quadruplet sons, Taylor, Tyler, Kyle and Connor, are all in the Class of 2018 at Holy Spirit Prep. Angela enjoys camping, movies, yoga and Buckeye football.
Mr. Daniel Pepitone- 5th & 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Pepitone was raised in Dunwoody where he attended Dunwoody High School. He received an Associates Degree from Truett-McConnell College in Business and continued on to Kennesaw State University where he
earned his Bachelors Degree. He is an active member of All Saints Catholic
Church where he received all his holy sacraments. He has been involved with
their youth group and assisting in teaching religion. He has also been involved in the organization and development of youth camps throughout Atlanta. Mr. Pepitone joined Holy Spirit Prep in 2004. and he teaches fifth grade Religion as
well as fifth and sixth grade Social Studies. Mr. Pepitone is also the coach of the
varsity football team.
Mrs. Ann Pierce- 5th & 6th Grade
Science Teacher
Mrs. Pierce was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she attended Catholic elementary and high school. She earned her B.S. in Environmental
Biology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and her Masters Degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. Mrs. Pierce used her biology degree to work as a
Biological Engineer for
the Tennessee Valley Authority and as an Outdoor Education Instructor for the
YMCA Outdoor Education Center in Ocoee, Tennessee. She continued her work
with children through the YMCA for twelve years enjoying Director's positions
in youth sports, swimming, day camp and residence camp programs in both Clemson
and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Mrs. Pierce returned to the Chattanooga area to
work as the Student Union Program Director for Dalton College in Dalton,
Georgia. She moved to Tucker, Georgia after marrying her husband, Kevin. They live in Tucker with their three children who attend Holy Spirit Prep School. Ann enjoys teaching and coaching at Holy Spirit Prep.
Mrs. Monica Burchfield- 5th & 6th Grade
Language Arts Teacher
Mrs. Burchfield is from Tallahassee, Florida, where she attended Florida State University, graduating in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in English, and a concentration in creative writing. Mrs. Burchfield is currently pursuing a master’s degree in poetry at Georgia State University. She and her husband, Cliff, serve as assistant high school youth ministers at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Marietta. They are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child in September 2008.
Miss Geneva Baran- 5th & 6th Grade
Language Arts Teacher
Miss Baran grew up in Peachtree City, Georgia and, after playing Division I soccer for one year at Illinois State University, transferred to Ave Maria University where she graduated with her B.A. in Literature. Miss Baran happily joined the Holy Spirit Preparatory School staff in 2008 and is currently a book reviewer for the "St. Austin Review." She has also written one play for the St. Robert Southwell Institute. Prior to teaching at Holy Spirit, Miss Baran taught 5-8th grade English and Theology at the Cardinal Newman School in Houston, TX. Miss Baran is a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales in Mableton.
Mr. Brian Moscona - 6th Grade Religion Teacher
Mr. Brian Moscona was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and attended high school in Baton Rouge. He then studied Marketing and Public Policy at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. After graduation, Mr. Moscona participated in a two-year teaching program through Notre Dame called the Alliance for Catholic Education. In the ACE program he taught fourth grade in Los Angeles, CA and earned a Masters Degree in elementary education. Mr. Moscona then spent a year discerning a vocation to religious life with the priests and brothers in the Congregation of Holy Cross at Notre Dame. He then returned to Los Angeles to resume teaching fourth grade. Mr. Moscona is extremely excited to return home to the south, and he feels blessed to have the opportunity to join the community at Holy Spirit Prep.
Mrs.
Kiley Jannetta - 5th & 6th Grade Aide
Mrs. Jannetta joins the preschool staff as the creative movement teacher this year. She graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a degree in Mathematics.
Mrs. Jannetta has spent the last seven years as a Learning Lab specialist at The Lovett School, specializing in elementary through upper school math. Mrs. Jannetta's daughter Molly is in the Holy Spirit Prep class of 2021.
Mrs. Jannetta and her husband David are the proud parents of 4 young children. The Jannettas and their family have been parishioners at Holy Spirit Catholic Church for over 20 years.
Mrs. Carol Bolash- 5th & 6th Grade Aide
Mrs. Bolash was born and raised in Bucks County, just outside of Philadelphia, PA and lived there until she and her husband relocated in 1973 to Connecticut. She earned a B.S degree in Education from Shippensburg University majoring in English and taught 7th grade English for three years in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. For the next eleven years Mrs. Bolash stayed home with her two sons. She and her family have lived in Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, and Texas. Mrs. Bolash first lived in Atlanta from 1981 to 1994 during which time she worked as a paraprofessional in the Gwinnett County School system for twelve years. In addition to her education experience in Bucks County and Gwinnett County, Mrs. Bolash worked at the pre-school level for six years in Texas. Her business
experience includes sales associate and manager for Waldenbooks. She and her
husband recently returned to Georgia to be close to their granddaughters, one of
whom attended Holy Spirit Preschool.
Miss Beth Petrucci- Learning Specialist
Miss Petrucci was born and raised in Waterbury, CT. She attended St. Margaret Catholic School and Holy Cross High School. Beth graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Beth moved to Atlanta in 1994 and worked at a child development center teaching toddler age children for three years. She was accepted to the Georgia State University’s Accelerated Teaching Program in 1998 and received a Master’s in Early Childhood Education in 1999. Beth worked as a third grade teacher at The Schenck School in Atlanta for six years before coming to Holy Spirit Prep. At The Schenck School Beth studied The Orton-Gillingham Method for teaching students with language difficulties (dyslexia, dysgraphia, and language processing.) In 2002 Beth attended and was a facilitator at The International Dyslexic Association Conference which was in Atlanta that year. Beth also attended yearly conferences for the Atlanta Chapter of The International Dyslexic Association. During her years at The Schenck School Beth assisted with an after school program for children with behavioral, emotional, as well as sensory difficulties.
Mrs. Linda Ehlers- Media Specialist
Mrs. Ehlers grew up in Alton, Illinois, which is located on the bluffs above the Mississippi River across from St. Louis, Missouri. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Education in Library Media from Georgia State University and a Masters of Science Degree in Community Counseling from Georgia State University. She taught fifth grade at the Lovett School when she first came to Atlanta, married, and then raised two daughters, Jennifer and Suzanne. Both are married and live in the Atlanta area. Suzanne and her husband, Mark, have three sons. Jack Henry is 8 years old, Spencer is 4 1/2 and Wyatt is 2 1/2. Mrs. Ehlers returned to the education field and worked in the libraries at Pace Academy and Georgia Tech. Most recently she was head librarian at Herzing College where she was instrumental in establishing three libraries, due to relocation and expansion. Her husband, Oscar, is an electrical engineer who discovered a love for teaching and teaches electronics and computer courses.
Mrs. Marylu Valek- Media Center Assistant
Marylu Valek grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, the oldest of six children. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Ct. She was employed for 20 years by Aetna Life & Casualty, Inc. in their Information Technology department until the birth of her daughter, Erin. Mrs. Valek, her husband, Jack, and daughter, Erin, moved to Atlanta in March, 2000. Erin is currently in the class of 2012. Mrs. Valek enjoys being in the Media Center as it provides the opportunity to meet every child that attends the Lower School.
Mr. Kevin Evans- Physical Education Teacher
A member of Holy Spirit Prep's faculty since 1999, Mr. Evans is excited to return for his ninth year as physical education teacher. Along with was born in Durham, North Carolina. He was raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he attended Chapel Hill High School. He was very involved in several activities such as interscholastic sports (football, baseball, track), as well as band, Jr. Civitans and peer helpers. Mr. Evans attended East Carolina University for three years where he pursued a variety of activities including football. He was treasurer for a club called Health Occupation Students of America. He then transferred to the North Carolina A & T State University. He was a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honor Society and Who's Who Among Students in Colleges and Universities. He graduated in May of 1999 with a degree in health and physical education.
Mrs. Lori Reinstein- Part-time Physical Education Teacher
Mrs. Reinstein was born and raised in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She attended East Strausburg University where she majored in physical education. Mrs. Reinstein moved to Atlanta in 1989 and married her husband Vincent in 1992. They relocated to Houston for six years, and then returned to Atlanta. The Reinsteins have four children, three of whom attend Holy Spirit Prep School. Mrs. Reinstein has coached basketball and soccer for several seasons at Holy Spirit Prep, and has also volunteered as a Girl Scout leader for the past three years This coming year she will be involved in leading one of the second-grade Brownie troops. Mrs. Reinstein loves to play and teach sports. She also loves to be around children, and to be a part of every aspect of their growth.
Mr. Norman Livermore- Technology Teacher
Originally from Los Angeles, Mr.
Livermore's family moved to Georgia in 1969. Mr. Livermore graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science. Having worked in the aerospace and electric utility industries as well as government contracting and consulting, he brings more than 25 years of work experience to his classroom. In 1996,
Mr. Livermore started an independent software consulting company which specializes in providing customized software solutions to the electric utility industry.
Mr. Livermore has a unique hobby in that for many years now he has played the bagpipe. He and his family are very involved with the local and international Scottish communities. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Royal Museum of Scotland, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Stone Mountain Highland Games where he is responsible for overseeing all of the bagpipe and band related activities of the annual cultural event.
Mr. Livermore also serves on the Clan Macleod USA National Council in charge of matters of culture for the organization.
He has played with the Atlanta Pipe Band since it’s founding in 1970, teaches privately and is presently the instructor for the Atlanta Pipe Band’s developmental unit.
Mr. Livermore resides in Marietta with his wife Rachel and daughter, Meghan. Meghan is a proud member of the Holy Spirit Prep School class of 2009 and a charter student at the school, having attended since kindergarten.
Miss Helen Snyder- Lower School Art
Ms. Snyder returns to Holy Spirit for her third year to direct our art program for grades K-6. Ms. Snyder formerly taught art at Saint Peter Claver (K-8) in Decatur, Georgia. She is a graduate of Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in printmaking. Helen also participated in the work-study program at Saint Mary’s College theatre for set painting, lighting and stage construction. She is passionate about both the visual and performing arts and looks forward to teaming with Mrs. Thomasberger again on our school plays. She is an active parishioner at the Cathedral of Christ the King, working with the CTK Theatre Ministry, Singles Group and Small Christian Community Leadership. Ms. Snyder is a docent and education volunteer at The High Museum of Art. Helen loves to play tennis, softball, ski, travel and visit art galleries and museums.
Mrs. Susan Matakis- Lower School Art
Mrs. Matakis was born and raised in West Bend, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has taught school in Wisconsin, Ohio and in Gwinnett County Public schools in Georgia. Susan was an active member in the school community at St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School in Lilburn during her children’s school years. She taught middle school art at St. John Neumann from 2002-2005. Upon moving to Druid Hills in 2005, Susan developed an art program for home school students, and taught from her home-studio for 2 years. Susan has two daughters in college, and her youngest daughter is a senior in high school. She and her husband Craig, and family, are parishioners of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atlanta. Susan is thrilled to be joining the Holy Spirit community and sharing in the artistic development of the children.
Mrs.
Leanne Aspinall - Kindergarten and Pre-First Art
Mrs. Aspinall is originally from
Melbourne, Australia. She joined the Holy Spirit
Prep staff in 2005, but she has been an active
parent volunteer at the school for several years. Mrs. Aspinall's
son Patrick is in the Holy Spirit Prep Class of 2016 and
Ryan is in the Holy Spirit Prep Class of 2019.
The Aspinalls
are parishioners at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Mrs. Rosemary Thomasberger- Performing Arts Teacher
Mrs. Thomasberger joined Holy Spirit
Preparatory School in 1999 as the Director of Performing Arts, Lower School . This is her twenty third year of teaching in a Catholic School. Previously, she taught K - 12 in the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey. She received a BA in Music from Caldwell College, New Jersey where she acquired her teacher certification and Catechist certification. Her experience in the music industry includes: Musical Director for community theatre productions in New Jersey; section leader in Columbia University Choir in New York City; and vocalist and pianist for The Silver Starlight Orchestra in New Jersey. Her experience in Church Music Ministry includes: Choir Director at Westminster Church in New Jersey; Assistant Choir Director at Immaculate Conception Church in Montclair, New Jersey; Youth Music Coordinator at St. Catherine of Siena Church in New Jersey; Youth Music Assistant for World Youth Day, Jubilee 2000, in Rome; and chaperone for Regnum Christi at World Youth Day, Toronto 2002. Rosemary and her husband, David, are music ministers in their parish, St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell. David is an Acolyte in his third year of studies in the Permanent Deaconate Program of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Their son, Peter is a composer and a computer systems installer. Their daughter, Kristen is a Second Class Sonar Tech Petty Officer in the United States Navy on the destroyer, U.S.S. The Sullivans.
Mrs. Paula Garlen - Music
Mrs. Garlen grew up in York, Pennsylvania where she attended 12 years of Catholic school. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from West Chester University. Her training at West Chester included a focus in early childhood music education techniques such as Orff-Schulwerk and Kodaly. She maintains her professional development as a member of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association (ECMMA). Her son, a member of the class of 2014, has attended Holy Spirit Prep since the age of two. Over the years she has participated as a parent volunteer in many different capacities throughout the school. In 2004 she also joined the teaching staff at the Holy Spirit Prep Upper School to help begin the process of building a Performing Arts program. Mrs. Garlen is a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church where she is a member of the Traditional Choir and serves as cantor and soloist. Her goal as a professional educator and musician is to instill as much enthusiasm and love for music in her students as she has.
Ms. Gracia Villasana-
Spanish
Mrs. Villasana is originally from Monterrey, Mexico, where she attended to CECVAC, a Catholic school from grades 1-9, and graduated high school from TEC de Monterrey. Mrs. Villasana attended UdeM (University of Monterrey), one of the finest Catholic universities in Latin America, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Education, Minor in Administration). In December 2003, she graduated with honors from UdeM. Mrs. Villasana has been an active member of the Catholic community, giving pastoral training and also working as a classroom teacher for six years. Mrs. Villasana joined Holy Spirit Preparatory School in 2005 shortly after her move to the United States. In November 2006 Mrs. Villasana and her husband Juan, welcomed baby Valeria to their family. Mrs. Villasana really enjoys teaching Spanish at HSPS, it has been a very enriching experience for her. She looks forward to start her fourth year at HSPS.
Mrs. Bibiana Perez- Spanish
Mrs. Perez was born and raised in Germany. She graduated from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, with a Bachelor’s of Philosophy and went on to pursue theological studies in Rome and in the United States. She received a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University in 1993. She came to Atlanta in 1995 and gathered teaching experience by home schooling her children for nine years from preschool through eighth grade and teaching a variety of subjects at several private schools in Atlanta. Mrs. Perez knows seven languages and has been teaching at Holy Spirit Preparatory school since the beginning of 2006. She lives in Sandy Springs together with her husband Carlos, originally from Mexico, and their five children, classes of 2009, 2011, 2013, 1016, and 2020, all of whom attend HSPS.
Mrs.
Helen Prieto - Dean of Faculty/Human
Resources
Mrs. Prieto holds a BS in Business Administration from Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida; and MBA from Nova Southeastern University, Sunrise, Florida; and a Master's Certificate in International Business from Columbia University, New York City. She and her husband moved to Atlanta from Florida in 1995 and are parishioners at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Prior to joining Holy Spirit Prep in 2002, Mrs. Prieto retired from a 38-year career with BellSouth, where she served as Vice President in International Markets and Vice President of Customer Operations, and during which time she also trained adults in business environment skills and marketing and customer service. Currently, Mrs. Prieto is a member of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, she has been certified by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, and has a Certificate from the College Board to teach Advanced Placement Spanish.
|
