TEACH 15: 2015-2017
Amanda Bitler
Amanda Bitler teaches third and fourth grade at St. Thomas More Academy in Middletown, Maryland. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Meredith College, where she also played tennis, was honored as a "Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities," studied abroad, and performed in the theatre ensemble. This school year, Amanda is excited to incorporate hands-on learning and STREAM activities with her two student groups. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education.
Madeline Dodge
Madeline Dodge teaches middle school language arts at Sacred Heart School in Glyndon, Maryland. Maddie earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Education from Holy Cross, where she quickly fell in love with teaching during an immersion trip to Belize. This school year, Maddie will continue to develop a supportive classroom community among her students and is also really excited to incorporate writing workshops into her classroom, providing her students meaningful choice as they develop a love of writing. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching with a concentration as a reading specialist.
Theresa Fasullo
Theresa Fasullo teaches first grade at Sacred Heart School in Glyndon, Maryland. Theresa earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education where she lived in a Marianist Student Community, served as a retreat leader, and participated in a service program to Appalachia. Theresa looks forward to incorporating two themes into her classroom this year as she and her students begin first grade as “Explorers on a Journey” just like Lewis and Clark, and as they learn to “let all that you do be done in love,” as inspired by 1 Corinthians 16:14. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching with a concentration as a reading specialist.
Elise Fernandez
Elise Fernandez teaches eighth grade social studies and language arts at Mother Seton Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. Elise earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and History from the University of Notre Dame, where she worked closely with faculty to prepare and present a paper to the Association for Core Texts and Courses Conference. This school year, Elise looks forward to engaging in current events as her students grow in awareness of the upcoming election and the issues leaders face in America and around the world. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Social Studies.
Meghan Fennessy
Meghan Fennessy teaches middle school language arts at St. Pius X School in Baltimore, Maryland. Meghan earned a Bachelor of Science in Early and Primary Education from the University of Scranton, where she also started an extra-curricular science program for elementary aged students at a local public library. Last year, Meghan enjoyed making learning active and engaging for her students and looks forward to continuing to use project based learning, reader's theaters, and student collaboration in her classroom. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching with a concentration as a reading specialist.
Stephanie Gonzalez
Stephanie Gonzalez teaches in the theology and social studies departments at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Mount Saint Mary’s University, where she also served as a Resident Assistant and campus ministry leader. This school year, Stephanie looks forward to building important relationships with her former and new students at school. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Social Studies.
Meeri Kangas
Meeri Kangas teaches in the theology departments at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Meeri graduated from Springhill College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, where she participated in service and immersion trips in Belize and studied abroad in Bologna, Italy. This past school year, Meeri and her students collected 561 pairs of socks during “Socktober” for individuals experiencing homelessness in Baltimore. She is excited to share with and practice different prayer styles with her students this year. Meeri will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education.
Stephanie Leone
Stephanie Leone teaches second grade at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Towson, Maryland. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Science in Early and Primary Education from the University of Scranton, where she served as a retreat leader and was selected to give a witness talk. In the new school year, Stephanie looks forward to preparing her students for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and growing alongside her students academically and spiritually. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Special Education.
Zachary Lesieur
Zachary Lesieur teaches middle school social studies at St. John Regional Catholic School in Frederick, Maryland. Zach earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Mount Saint Mary’s University and as a part of the honors program, where he was also a Resident Assistant and a Division I student athlete in Track and Field. This year, Zach looking forward to engaging his students in critical reading and discussion of historical documents in his social studies classes. He will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Social Studies.
John Malloy
John Malloy teaches in the science department at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland. John graduated with a 4.0 grade point average from University Maryland, Baltimore County where he earned Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology and was considered for Valedictorian in his graduating class. This school year, John has designed the curriculum an Engineering class and is very excited to get started with his students and the projects they will create! He will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Science.
Erin Moore
Erin Moore teaches 3rd grade at the School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, Maryland. Erin graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy and Education from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she also studied abroad in New Zealand, ran cross country and was a member of her university’s Rotaract service organization. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching with a concentration as a reading specialist.
Sarah Murphy
Sarah Murphy teaches in the foreign language and social studies departments at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Sarah graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and French, and as a part of the Honors Program, where she also took advantage of various research and service opportunities throughout the continental United States, Europe, and Asia, including teaching English for a summer in Cambodia. This school year, Sarah is looking forward to infusing the social studies curriculum with current events during the election season. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Social Studies.
Kara Stephen
Kara Stephen teaches first grade at St. Casimir Catholic School in Baltimore, Maryland. Kara graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the Catholic University of America, where she served as a student summer school teacher at the Sidwell Friends Academy in Washington, DC. Kara has enjoyed immersing herself into her school community through relationship building and learning alongside her students. She looks forward to continuing to grow in faith, skill-building, and the laughter that will come from making learning fun. She will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching with a concentration as a reading specialist.
Timothy Weeks
Timothy Weeks teaches in the mathematics department of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Tim graduated from John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and as part of the Honors Program, where he also served as an EMT and led a service trip to Immokalee, Florida. Last school year, Tim enjoyed watching his students grow both as mathematicians and young men, and he looks forward to continuing being creative and entertaining with his lessons in the upcoming year. He will graduate in May 2017 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Mathematics.
TEACH 16: 2016-2018
Gabrielle Cusato
Gabrielle Cusato teaches in the English department at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland. Gaby graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary education, where she also served as editor of the Lighted Corners literary magazine and was a part of the equestrian team. As she begins her first year, Gaby looks forward to incorporating technology into her English lessons through her school’s “bring your own device” policy. She will graduate in May 2018 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching with a concentration as a reading specialist.
Alison DeMelim
Alison DeMelim teaches first grade at St. Joseph School Fullerton in Baltimore, Maryland. Alison graduated from Marywood University with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Special Education, where she participated in the Maxis-Gillet leadership scholarship program that fostered her understanding of service and social justice. This school year, Alison is looking forward to growing with her students as they build the foundational academic and social skills needed for life long success. She will graduate in May 2018 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Colleen Helie
Colleen Helie teaches in the art department at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland. Colleen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she enriched her understanding of art and beauty through studying abroad in Florence, Italy and volunteering as a teaching assistant. Colleen looks forward to sharing her love of art with her students and learning the rich tradition and history of her placement school. She will graduate in May 2018 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Art.
Ashley Hubaykah
Ashley Hubaykah teaches in the religion department at Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, Maryland. Ashley earned a Bachelor of Art in Religious Studies and International Studies from Iona College, where she served as a student campus minister and participated in an internship at the United Nations. This school year, Ashley looks forward to grounding her students in divine prayer in order to give them confidence to succeed, and a positive framework to learn. She will graduate in May 2018 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education.
Griselda Martinez
Griselda Martinez teaches in the mathematics department at Our Lady of Mount Caramel High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Griselda earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Wingate University, where she was the president of Catholic Campus Ministry and recipient of the Fred H. Allen Award outstanding Christian leadership and service. Griselda looks forward to teaching her students about the beauty of mathematical applications and centering her classroom in Christ. She will graduate in May 2018 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Mathematics.
Emily Mordini
Emily Mordini teaches third grade at St. Michael the Archangel School in Baltimore, Maryland. Emily graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from John Carroll University, where she participated in an immersion trip to Nepal and was a finalist for the Beaudry Award. Emily looks forward to getting to know what makes her students excited about learning creating a learning environment where they can take risks and discover their potential. She will graduate in May 2018 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Special Education.
Michael Rangel
Michael Rangel teaches middle school social studies and religion at Archbishop Borders School in Baltimore, Maryland. Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, where. In the upcoming school year, Michael looks forward to helping his students engage with social studies in order to find ways to make history applicable to life today. He hopes to walk with his students as they grow in leadership, responsibility, and virtue and discern Christianity as a faith of action in the world. He will graduate in May 2018 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Social Studies.
Bridget Sica
Bridget Sica teaches in the English department of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Bridget earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Anselm College, where she received the Meelia Center for Community Engagement's "Partnership Award" for implementing a creative writing class which allowed local underrepresented high schoolers to earn high school credit and explore their writing talents. This school year, Bridget looks forward to teaching Shakespeare and working with her students as they grow in appreciation for the texts they read. She will graduate in May 2018 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary English.
Riley Weber
Riley Weber serves as a special education teacher in the P.R.I.D.E. program at St. Mark School in Catonsville, Maryland. Riley earned a Bachelor in Science in Intervention Specialist Education from University of Dayton as a part of the honors program, through which she also served as an intern for the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and earned service scholarships to Belize, El Salvador, and Italy. Riley looks forward to working with her students as they each discover how to use their natural curiosity and ambition both in the classroom and everyday life. She will graduate in May 2018 with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Special Education.