Sister Karen Brink, OSB Principal. 42 years in education including 22 as principal and nine at St. Teresa. 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. 

 

“My ministry in Catholic education began here at St. Teresa in 1966 as a third grade teacher; I returned in 1974 as an eighth grade teacher and, what a privilege it is to be principal of St. Teresa as we begin our second century of Catholic education. I salute all those who have gone before me and I pray that our school continues into many bright and fruitful tomorrows! I am also grateful for the commitment of my community, the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh who have staffed our school during the entire first century and as we begin our second century!”

 

 

Mrs. Patricia Brandt  Sixth Grade, Library Science K-6, 6th grade Social Studies and English. 21 years at St. Teresa. Certification in Elementary Education (K-6); 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 has increased in value over the past 100 years. Then, as now, young men and women have been taught the teachings of Jesus Christ and worked diligently to incorporate Christian values into their daily lives. This solid educational foundation produced confident, responsible adults capable of making good moral choices while building a better world all around them.”

 

 

Mrs. Debbie Brungo Seventh Grade, Pre-Algebra. 22 years teaching, 19 at St. Teresa. Certification in Elementary Education (K-8). BS Elementary Education:University of Pittsburgh; additional credits from Duquesne University and Allegheny Intermediate Unit. 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. For the past 100 years and continuing today, St. Teresa kindles this fire.”

 

 

Mrs. Phyllis Cain Full Day Kindergarten. 24 years teaching, first at St. Teresa's. Certification in Elementary Education (K-6). BS, Elementary Education: Duquesne University

 

“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. Jacalyn Cardella  Spanish.8 years teaching, 5 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 continues to provide 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. Tracy Coll  Kindergarten. 6th year teaching, 5th at St. Teresa. Certification in Elementary Education (K-6). BS: 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.”

 

 

Mr. John DiCesare Instrumental Music, Grades 4-8. 3 years at St. Teresa School. BS Music Education, M.M. Tuba Performance: Kent State University; A.D. Tuba Performance: Duquesne University.

 

“Band at St. Teresa is an active, thriving part of the curriculum. I am blessed to be working at this fine school. You could not ask for better support from the parent, faculty, and students.”

 

 

Mrs. Trudy DeMario Second Grade. 29 years in education, 21 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 continues to foster moral and spiritual virtues. A Christ-like character is developed through the personal, prayerful and sacramental relationship with Jesus.”

 

 

Mrs. Michelle Kalish Computer Education K-8; Advanced Algebra. 15 years in education, 5 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.”

 

 

Mr. Harry Levicky Music K-8, Chorus. 21 years in education, 11 at St. Teresa. Certification ME (music technology). BS 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.”

 

 

Ms. Susan Lindow Fourth Grade. 22 years teaching, all at St. Teresa. Certifications in Elementary Education K-8 and Reading specialist K-12. BS 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 20 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 these 100 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. Charlotte Leibach  Science 6-8. 29 years in education, 25 at St. Teresa. Associate degree in psychology, BS 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. 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.”

 

 

Mrs. Jackie Mueller Eighth Grade. 26 years in education, 18 years at St. Teresa. Certifications: Communications, 7-12; Midlevel Citizenship Education, 7-9. BS Communication: Ohio University. Additional credit 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 a world that only pays lip service to these qualities. For the past 100 years, St. Teresa School has dedicated itself to this vocation and the children of the North Hills.”

 

 

Mrs. Carol Pastor Fifth Grade. 33 years in education, 31 at St. Teresa. Certification Elementary K-8. BS: Edinboro University; Continuing 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.”

 

 

Mrs. Kathy Roos Pre kindergarten. University of Pittsburgh, BS - Elementary Education Certification: Elementary Education K-6. 14 years teaching experience - 10 FT, 4 PT

 

“Education nurtures the mind; Catholic education nurtures the mind and the soul.”

 

 

Mrs. Patrice Trettel Third Grade. 32 years in education, 29 at St. Teresa. Certifications in Elementary education and Early Childhood. BS 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 Sixth and Seventh Grade Religion, Language Arts. 29 years teaching, 26 at St. Teresa. Certification in Secondary Education/English (6-12). BS Education, English: Duquesne University, Additional graduate credits: Penn State. 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.’”

 

Mallory Voltz First Grade  7 years in education, 5 at St. Teresa.  Certification Elementary K-6, B.Ed.:Thiel College; M.Ed. in Reading and Language Arts.  Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 “Catholic Education provides each individual student with spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and social values.  It is my goal as a teacher to instill these values and help each child rise to their full academic potential.”

 

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). BS: 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.”

 

 

Ms. Maria Young First Grade. BS Early Childhood and Elementary Education: Duquesne University May 1998; MS Reading and Language Arts: Duquesne University Dec. 2003; Certification in Middle Level Mathematics 7-9; 10 years teaching experience: 3 at St. Teresa.

Designated as highly qualified teacher by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

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