Sister Karen Brink, OSB   Principal. 43 years in education including ten at St. Teresa and 24 as principal.  Certification as Educational Specialist (Guidance) and Elementary and Secondary Administration.  B.A.  History: LaRoche College; M.S. Ed  Counseling and M.A. Theology: Duquesne University; Administration  Certification: California University of PA.; Pastoral Ministry Certificate: Trinity College.  Selected for the National Principals Academy (NCEA); For God and Youth Award (NFCYM); Who’s Who Among American Principals. Designated as" highly qualified."

   “The ministry of Catholic Education at St. Teresa of Avila School is both a privilege and a blessing for me.  I feel privileged to have the beautiful and awesome responsibility of leading a school in the 21st century.  The ministry is a blessing because of all the wonderful people: students, families, faculty and staff, who cross my path each day."

Mrs. Patricia Brandt   Fifth Grade. Library Science K-6; 6th grade Social Studies and  English. 22 years at St. Teresa.  Certification in Elementary       Education (K-8); B.A Psychology: Carlow College;  M.S. Elementary Education: Duquesne University. Designated as highly qualified teacher by   the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

      “Catholic education is a very important asset in our community that increases in value every year. Young men and women are taught the teachings of Jesus Christ and work diligently to incorporate Christian values into their daily lives.  This solid educational foundation produces confident, responsible adults capable of making good moral choices while building a better world all around them.”

Mrs. Debbie Brungo Eighth Grade, Algebra, Pre Algebra and 6th grade math. 24 years teaching, 20 at St. Teresa.  Certification in Elementary Education (K-8). B.S.  Elementary Education:University of Pittsburgh; additional credits from Duquesne University and Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    “Catholic education is the fire that spreads the warmth and light of Jesus from generation to generation.  In the past and continuing today, St. Teresa kindles this fire.”

Mrs. Jacalyn Cardella Fourth Grade and Spanish. 10 years teaching,  7 at St. Teresa.  Certifications in Spanish K-12, Library Science K-12 and Elementary  K-6.  B.A.  Education/Spanish: University of Pittsburgh and University of Madrid, Spain; Master of Library and Information Sciences:University of Pittsburgh. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.   

    “Catholic education at Saint Teresa provides generations with an environment that nourishes each child, both academically and spiritually.  As part of their daily education, this establishes a Faith foundation upon which they may build throughout their lives.”

Mrs. Patricia (Trish) Cerminara  Pre Kindergarten, 17 years teaching pre-k and kindergarten at Kindercare Learning Cernter,  3 years teaching full     day kindergarten at Saint Alexis.  M.S. in Elementary Education (K-6), Duquesne University; B.A. in Social Sciences, California University of PA

    “Having been a part of Catholic education as a strudent and a teacher, I know how important it is to nurture the mind as well as the spirit.  God leads us to the place he needs us to be and I feel fortunate that He has led me to Saint Teresa's."

Mrs. Tracy Coll  …Math, Second Grade Language Arts . 6^th  year teaching, 5^th  at St. Teresa.  Certification in Elementary Education (K-6).  B.S.: La Roche College. 

    “As a graduate of St. Teresa School I know the effects a religious education has on a child’s life.  I believe when education and faith go hand in hand a young mind not only learns but believes.”

Mrs. Trudy DeMario  Second Grade. 30 years in education, 22 at St. Teresa.  Certification in Elementary Education and Reading Specialist.  B.A:  Michigan State University; M.S. in Ed.: Duquesne University. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

    “Catholic education fosters moral and spiritual virtues.  A Christ-like character is developed through the personal, prayerful and sacramental relationship with Jesus. Children are encouraged to respond to the needs of others aerving the community as a disciple of Christ.”

Mrs. Beverley DiCicco Afternoon kindergarten. 28 years in education, 26 at  St. Teresa.  Certification in Elementary Education (K-6).  B.S. Ed. And M.Ed.:Duquesne  University. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    “My faith is strengthened daily by my witness of the faith in students I teach.  The sincerity and innocence in their faith development is inspiring. The value of this formation is priceless. The Catholic education is a gift to be treasured.

Mrs. Bernadette Durkin  Full Day Kindergarten. 8 years teaching, 3 years at St. Teresa's. Certification in Elementary Education (K-6). M.S, Elementary Education: Duquesne University; Eighteen credits towards reading specialist.  B.A. Physical Education: University of Ulster,

   "Catholic Education is an integral part of every student's faith journey. The stop over at St. Teresa's will develop, encourage, enable, and nurture this important journey!  

Mrs. Michelle Kalish

Computer Education K-8; Advanced Algebra. 16 years in education, 6 at St. Teresa.  Certification Elementary K-8, B.Ed.: Indiana University of PA; M.Ed. in elementary Mathematics: Indiana University of PA. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

      “Catholic Education shapes heart and character in such a way as to make a permanent impression upon the student.  Catholic education helps the student to grasp the meaning of a purposeful life; that we are able to better ourselves which helps us to make life better for others.  St. Teresa of Avila School has been preparing students for over a century to make the world a better place for its community and the world.”

 Mrs. Kathleen  Kozlowski First Grade. 23½ years teaching, 21 at St. Teresa.  Certification Elementary K-8.  B.S. Elementary Education: Slippery Rock University, Penn State University. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

    “God has truly smiled upon us as we’ve journeyed through our days, our years at St. Teresa School.  I can only imagine the thousands that have been enriched by the loving environment that has prevailed here at St. Teresa School.

Mr. Harry Levicky Music K-8, Chorus. 21 years in education, 11 at St. Teresa.  Certification  ME  (music technology).  B.S. Music Education: Duquesne University. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.   

   “Over the past one hundred years, the foundation of Catholic education has prepared our students to face the ethical and moral challenges of the 21st century.  Our students are equipped with spiritual sensitivity for helping to build a more responsible society.”

Mrs. Charlotte Leibach Seventh  Grade, Science 6-8. 31 years in education, 30 at St. Teresa. Associate degree in psychology, B.S. Elementary Education, M.S. Special  Education: University of Pittsburgh.    Golden Apple Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science  Award for 24 years of Excellence, Spectroscopy Award in Chemistry for Science  Excellence from the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh,  Who’s Who among American Teachers and Canbridge Who's Who for Professionals. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    “A Catholic education has enriched the lives of many.  It has offered discipline, stability, a good education and most of all a deep understanding of the faith.  It has served as an invaluable inheritance to all the families at St. Teresa for 100 good years.”  

Ms. Susan Lindow Fourth Grade. 23 years teaching, all at St. Teresa.  Certifications in Elementary Education K-8 and Reading specialist K-12.  B.S. El. Ed.: University of Pittsburgh; M.S. Reading and Language Arts: Duquesne University. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  

    “I feel proud and privileged to have spent the past twenty-two years teaching here.  In my opinion the value of a Catholic education cannot be overestimated.  When I think of the many thousands of lives that have been blessed at this school by its caring and dedicated faculty and staff over the years, I am deeply grateful to have been a small part of its fine history.  May God continue to bless our school, its students, faculty and staff for many years to come.”

Mrs. Jackie Mueller Eighth Grade Language Arts and Social Studies. 26 years in education, 18  years at  St. Teresa. Certifications: Communications, 7-12; Midlevel Citizenship Education, 7-9;  B.S. Communication: Ohio University. Additional graduate hours: University of Pittsburgh, Carlow College, Allegheny Intermediate Unit.   Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, North Hills Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator, 1996. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    “Catholic schools have a triple vocation to develop character, instill Christ-centered values and model compassion to the world. St. Teresa School is dedicated to this vocation and the children of the North Hills.” 
 

Mrs. Carol Pastor   Fifth Grade. 30 years in education, 28 at St. Teresa.  Certification Elementary K-8.  B.S.: Edinboro University; additional education credits: Penn State University.Who’s Who Among American Teachers. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

   "Catholic education  at St. Teresa encourages our children to appreciate the promises made by God, and to have exposure to a strong “Faith” based community.  Our “Faith in the Future” depends upon our children.  They must understand the special teachings they have encountered and continue to nourish their relationship with God in their daily experiences.  Our future holds many “bright” tomorrows.”

Mr. James Rossetti Instrumental Music, Grades 4-8. 18 years in education, 5 at St. Teresa.  Certification:  Music K-12.  Bachelor in Music Education,:WVU; Masters of Music Education: Duquesne University. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    “Over the last 100 years Catholic education has seen both tremendous growth and an unsettling decline in numbers.  While that growth has helped our Church to be strong and vibrant, I think we must be prepared to continue to make sacrifices, just as our parents and grandparents sacrificed, to provide that vehicle for growth.  Catholic education is the best way for us to pass on our belief in Jesus Christ, the values He gives us, and the traditions that help us to hold those beliefs close to our heart.”

Mrs. Patrice Trettel Third Grade.  29 years in education, 26 at St. Teresa.  Certifications in Elementary education and Early Childhood. B.S. in Education:  Edinboro University. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

   “The philosophy of a Catholic education has not changed over the past 100 years at St. Teresa School.  The faculty, staff and students are different but the values and beliefs that are taught are still the same.  This is a comforting thought to have in the world we live in today.”

Mrs. Toni Viscusi Teaching 4-7 Grade Religion and Language Arts.  30 years teaching, 26 at St. Teresa.  Certification in Secondary Education Comprehensive English.  B.S. Education,  English: Duquesne University,  Additional graduate credits: Penn State University and A.I.U. Who's Who Among American Teachers. Diocesan Religion Certificate: Advanced Certification (K-12). Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

   “Cheers and kudos to Catholic education here at St. Teresa School for the last 100 years and to the Benedictine Sisters whose motto is ‘Work and Pray’.  They and all the teachers, parents, family members and students have helped us travel down the pathway that leads to Jesus.  May we all be blessed for another one hundred years with quality education as we are reminded ‘That in all things God may be glorified’”.

Mrs. Toni Yokitis Physical Education K-8, Health 4-8. 14 years teaching, 9 at St. Teresa.  Certification in Health and Physical Education (K-12).  B.S.: Slippery Rock University. Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    “Our children, as in the past 100 years, continue to be our future.  Over this same time period, St. Teresa School has continued to  provide our students with high values and the strong academic and religious instruction needed for them to be adequately prepared to be “our future”