BIOGRAPHY
Hello and welcome to the Faculty and Staff page for St. Joseph Academy! We’re very proud of our school and as principal I am extremely honored to be in charge of such an outstanding faculty and staff.
While both my parents were born and raised in Florida, my sister, brothers and I had the opportunity to live in many different states as well as overseas. I moved to Kentucky in 1990 when I entered the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker. After making my vows, I returned to college to complete my education.
I am a graduate of Northern Kentucky University, earning my Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1995 and my Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership in 2002. I also have my Advanced Certification for Teachers of Religion from the Diocese of Covington.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading and quilting.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Sister Mary Catherine. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Kentucky University, and my Master’s Degree from Georgetown College. This is my sixth year as Assistant Principal at St. Joseph Academy. Previously, I taught First Grade and Kindergarten for twenty years.
I come from a large family of nine children of which I am the fourth oldest. Presently, I am a Sister of St. Joseph the Worker, and I have been in religious life for 26 years. Our Motherhouse is in Walton, Kentucky.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Beth Kahmann and I am an SJA alumna. I went to SJA first through eighth grade when we were a humble 4 classroom school. SJA has remarkably grown! I loved my SJA experience as a student and now I am honored to continue our superb tradition as a teacher. This will be my 4th year teaching first grade here at SJA. I received my BA in Elementary Education and Special Education from Northern Kentucky University. I am currently working on my masters degree in reading and writing at NKU.
I live in Union, KY with my husband of 17 years. God has graced my husband Mike and I with 4 wonderful children, Sarah~ a freshman (St. Henry), Adam~ a 7th grader(SJA), Annie Lou~ a 3rd grader (SJA) and Caleb~ a 1st grader (SJA). As a family we enjoy hiking, bike riding, boating, and playing tennis together.
I love having the opportunity to teach in a school that has such a great Catholic atmosphere. Our school has kind and caring students who learn respect for one another through the Catholic education they receive.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Mrs. Sara Tepe. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Thomas More College and my Master's Degree from Northern Kentucky University. This is my 6th year teaching the 4th grade. My experience spans a total of 24 years and includes Preschool through 4th grade. I have taught 9 of these years here at St. Joseph Academy.
I teach in a Catholic school because I enjoy sharing my faith with my students and their families. It is very gratifying to watch their spiritual and academic growth throughout the school year. I teach using meaningful activities and strive to meet the individual needs of my students.
My husband Bill and I have been married for 25 years, and we have 2 daughters who are both graduates of St. Joseph Academy. Anna is studying to be a Special Education teacher, and Ellen is studying to be an Accountant.
We enjoy traveling and spending time together.
BIOGRAPHY
I am Michele Romito and will be devoting my 12th year to St. Joseph Academy. I have served as a kindergarten-aide, pre-school aide, and resource teacher. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Kentucky University. I love working at such an authentically Catholic school and consider it my second family. I have been married to my husband, Mark, for 26 years. We have two children who are SJA graduates: Emily, 22, who is currently studying for her masters in Virginia, and Ben, 19, working on a math degree at NKU.
MEET OUR FACULTY & STAFF
Our longtime teachers and staff are dedicated to helping each child discover their unique potential – spiritually, academically, physically and socially.
Directed by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker.
We, at St. Joseph Academy, strive to model a true Catholic life through embracing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, to help our students grow spiritually, academically and socially.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Rhonda O’Leary (yes it was my cow and I am not allowed in Chicago, Ha Ha). This is my 7th year at Saint Joseph Academy. I am the Director/teacher of the Preschool/Day Care/After School Care programs. The school opened the Preschool in Fall of 2005. In the Winter 2007 we expanded to an after school program. This Summer we began a full time Day Care Center. I have a Child Development Associate and a Directors Credential which I received from Gateway Community & Technical College.
I grew up in the West Side of Cincinnati, the 2nd oldest of 4 children. I attended St. Dominic grade school and Seton High School. My parents now live in Rising Sun, Indiana and I love to visit them on the weekends. I have been married to my husband Bill for 20 years and we have 3 children, Kyle 17 years old, Abby 14 years old and Anna 11 years old. We also have two dogs, Duke, a 9-year old (Boxer) and Doc a 2-year old Yorkie. We moved to Union, Kentucky 13 years ago from Cincinnati.
I am so blessed to be part of such a faith-filled, spiritual, educational and cheerful environment. Saint Joseph Academy is my second home, where I feel safe and loved by my many family members.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Samantha Stange and this is my fourth year at St. Joseph Academy. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and I am pursuing my Master of Arts degree at Northern Kentucky University in their Teacher as a Leader program.
In Kindergarten, we incorporate fun into our learning! We have learning centers each week to reinforce the concepts we are learning in our subjects. During the year, the students learn the sounds of the letters and learn to count to 100. The students also learn through handwriting how to string words together to make sentences, and by the end of the year, they are able to string two or three sentences together to make a short story. Throughout the year, we do many things! This is just a sample of the things we celebrate and do:
- 100th Day of School
- Attend the all-school Mass weekly and other special Feast Days
- Family projects
- Field Trips
- Grandparents Day
- Read Across America Week (AKA Dr. Seuss’ Week)
- St. Patrick’s Day
BIOGRAPHY
Hello. My name is Sister Patricia Jean Cushing. (Yes, I am told that our family is distantly related to the late "Cardinal Cushing" of Boston.) I have been a teacher since 1981 when I began with a first and second combined grade of 29 students. As the school grew, the grades were split and I continued in the first grade until 1990 when I was transferred to St. Patrick's in Maysville to teach religion in the high school. In November of 1994, I was acting Principal of the 1-12 school. I returned to the Academy in June of 1995 to serve as Principal for the next eleven years. Celebrating my 25th anniversary in 2006, I was sent to Rome for a sabbatical for 9 months. Upon returning, I was assigned to second grade where I am currently.
I earned my BA from Thomas More College; MA, from Georgetown College, Georgetown; Principal Certificate (Rank I) from Morehead University.
I am the second oldest of eight children to Dennis and Carol Cushing of Kansas City, Missouri. There are four girls and four boys in the family; all married except the youngest, Matthew, who is a priest in the Diocese of Covington stationed at St. Patrick's in Maysville. I have 26 nieces and nephews.
The highlight of second grade is preparing for First Confession and First Holy Communion. Throughout the year though, we have many "hands on" projects such as making model land-forms, solar systems, and globes, planting all the flowers around the Mary Shrine at school, hatching chickens and ducks in the classroom, using SMART board technology to "travel" around the world, and much more. "Second grade is the place to be!"
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Martha McDonald and I teach 3rd grade at SJA. I received my BA and Masters in Education from Northern Kentucky University. I have 16 years experience in Special Education and the regular classroom. I have taught 3rd grade for the last 11 years at SJA.
I have been married to my husband Bob for 38 years. We have 3 children and 8 grandchildren. I love to spend time with my family, to read, and to travel.
BIOGRAPHY
Originally from Ohio, I moved and grew up in Florida. After graduating from high school, I went back to Ohio to receive my Bachlor's Degree from Baldwin-Wallace College. I am currently working on my Master's Degree. My family moved to Kentucky 4 years ago. This will be my second year teaching at SJA. I am the 6th grade homeroom teacher and Junior High Science teacher.
My husband and I have three children that attend SJA. I feel that being a parent has given me an even greater appreciation of children. I enjoy working with the students, staff, and parents of Saint Joseph Academy.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Amanda Ackerman, and I will be the seventh grade homeroom teacher for Saint Joseph Academy. I am responsible for the following middle school classes: language arts for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students, and social studies for seventh grade. I strive to implement authentic activities, meaningful and relevant instruction.
I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Northern Kentucky University. I am a highly certified teacher in language arts. Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Arts in teaching at Northern Kentucky University and a second certification in middle grades social studies.
My husband and I reside in Kenton County and have two children. My daughter, Reese, is three and my son, Wesley, is 17 months.
BIOGRAPHY
Welcome to Saint Joseph Academy. My name is Susan Davis. I have been married for 29 years to Greg. We have three sons-Bradley, Captain in the Army; Drew, senior at the University of Louisville; Mark, sophomore at Thomas More College. We also have a terrific Boston Terrier named Nikki.
I have been in the education field for over 26 years through being a teacher, director of education, and tutor. I have taught students from kindergarten through high school. I have my Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree from Northern Kentucky University. I have also received my Advanced Certification from the Diocese of Covington.
I currently teach 8th grade in Social Studies, 6th-7th-8th grades in Mathematics, and 8th grade in Religion. Saint Joseph Academy is a faith-filled and an exciting school of which to be a part.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Sister Margaret Mary. I earned my Bachelor of Music Education specializing in general/vocal music and completed my graduate studies in Education from Northern Kentucky University (Rank 2). My instrument of concentration as an undergraduate was voice and my secondary instrument was piano. I am a certified K-12 music educator. I also received training in the Kindermusik curriculum for preschool age children.
I have 24 years of teaching experience at St. Joseph Academy. My main goal in the classroom is to help my students "journey to Heaven" by God's gift of music. The music curriculum includes music theory, classroom instruments (kazoos, recorders, harmonicas, rhythm instruments, Boomwhackers, KidsPlay Handbells, handchimes, mountain dulcimers and bowed psalteries), singing, square dancing and the use of technology in the classroom, such as, MIDI.
Besides my general music classes, I am also involved with specialty groups at St. Joseph Academy, such as, SJA choir (singing during the Liturgy), Grades 7 and 8 handchime choirs, guitar club (grades 5-8) and the Singin' Strings Dulcimer Club (grades 1-8). I am truly blessed to be surrounded by "musically talented students." My motto is: "Give back to God what He has given to you by sharing it with others."
I entered the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in 1981 and celebrated my Silver Jubilee of Profession in 2009. In my spare time I enjoy reading, crocheting, playing the organ, mountain dulcimer and hammered dulcimer.
Websites:
BIOGRAPHY
Hello, my name is Crystal Caudill and I teach 4th grade math and 5th grade core subjects at Saint Joseph Academy. I received my BA in Education from Northern Kentucky University and am currently working on my Masters through the University of the Cumberlands. This will be my third year at SJA, and I am excited to return. My goal is to help each student grow as a learner and as a person.
My husband and I have two boys, Malaki and Nehemiah. We love spending time together as a family and actively participate in our church. I look forward to teaching your child. Remember to be a F.R.O.G. - Fully Rely On God!
