Our faculty represent the very best in preschool through 8th-grade education: dedicated, passionate, and hard-working. Combined they bring over 260 years of teaching experience and 10 Master's Degrees. All of our faculty are involved in continuing education.
Our teachers and leadership are driven daily by root beliefs; beliefs they articulated about how they show up, educate and engage with their students every day.
Teachers partner closely together across grade level groupings and model the collaboration, kindness and care that we work to instill in our students each and every day. Learn more about the education and teaching philosophies for each academic grouping:
- Preschool (3 year olds), Pre-Kindergarten (4 year olds) and Kindergarten
- 1st through 3rd grade
- 4th through 5th grade
- Middle School (6th through 8th grade)
The Academy is also invested deeply in the ongoing development of our faculty. Each year, we set aside 131 hours for professional development to ensure our faculty are exposed to new and innovative teaching methods and other best practices. We also set aside time each week for our faculty to coordinate across relevant grade levels and attend school-wide development workshops.
- Kristina Reyes
- Keeley Barr
- Kathy Caplice
- Kelly Wagener
- Megan Haughey
- Missy Hebson
- Kendra Dillon
- Mariellen Hendricks
- Sarah Hepner
- Emily Peters
- Gary Ruske
- Sara Due
- Tom Crowley
- Carolyn Schufreider
- Chris Payne
- Thomas Pack
- Angie Buis
- David Galvan
- Anita Gabor
- Anthony Maniscalco
- Kristin Potts
- Kimberly Ryan
- Liz Piper
- Shantil Clesen
- Ron Kucera
- Colleen Enghauser
- Caroline Kennedy
- Kyle Kuchuris

“As a school leader, my goal is to deliver a transformational educational experience that provides students with the opportunity to grow as critical thinkers and life-long learners who are ready to make a difference in the world. I strive to accomplish this by providing strategic leadership and by building strong relationships with and among the entire school community. Most importantly, I lead by example. I am always open to growth and committed to and inspired by the people I work with and serve.
I am excited to be part of The Academy because it is an amazing opportunity to work with a group of people who are deeply committed to creating an exceptional school with the best possible learning experience for each and every child that is rooted in faith and focused on student-driven outcomes. As an independent Catholic school, we get to do things differently while building upon the rich traditions of St. Joan of Arc. While many things will demand my attention this year, two of my priorities are: building a Christ-centered culture of joy where everyone feels valued and welcomed and ensuring rigorous academics where each child feels successful, challenged and engaged every day.”

“My classroom is a place where everyone is respected and included and where kindness for others is practiced every day. I love that I can see my students grow into young learners and that I get to prepare them for a successful future.”


“One thing I want my students to know about me is that I enjoy going to work. I want all of our students to feel the same excitement I do when they come to school! I’m excited to be part of The Academy because we will offer a dynamic, progressive and nurturing learning environment. I’ll be focusing on creating an interactive and enthusiastic learning experience encouraging academic, emotional and spiritual growth.”
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“One thing I want my students to know about me is that I have three children: a daughter heading to college, a son who is a junior in HS, and a son who is an eighth grader at The Academy. I’m excited to be part of the Academy because it’s great to be a part of something brand new. New ideas, new philosophies, new leaders! I’ll be focusing on making every child feel special and comfortable each day when they enter our classroom. That daily ‘warm welcome’ makes them excited to play and interact with their teachers and classmates.”
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I am enjoying being back in the classroom and love watching the early stages of learning that comes with this age.
I love the challenge of identifying how each student learns and I think it is important to create an environment and a curriculum that supports each child’s learning needs and their emerging confidence. I want to make our preschool classroom and place where students feel happy, safe and part of the family we so proudly call the Academy at St. Joan of Arc.


“I like being a teacher because it allows me the opportunity to help a child grow socially, emotionally and academically. I can help children develop a love for learning at a young age and be influential in helping them build self-esteem and grow in their confidence.”
“Kendra is a thoughtful and attentive teacher. She ensures that each child meets and exceeds his or her learning goals. Kendra teaches her preschool class to be kind and respectful while having fun. She is key to laying the educational foundation the kids need moving forward.” Parent of two ASJA students

“I define excellence in teaching as having the power to inspire, motivate, and excite students. It is the ability to spark a passion for learning. It is teaching children to believe and have faith in themselves. The parents of my students entrust me with their most prized possession. I accept that responsibility with pride and commitment.”
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“I’ve always felt that in order to be an effective teacher my focus should be on the individual child, not just the things they are studying. I think a teacher must integrate academic and social-emotional skills equally in order to create an environment where students are successfully engaged in the classroom learning and where they are able to make connections to their lives outside the classroom.”
“My child really loved Miss Peters because she treated her students like they were her own and fondly called them her love bugs. In that type of environment, it was easy to learn and grow.” Parent of two ASJA Students

“Excellence in teaching is recognizing that teaching is who you are as well as what you do. As a teacher, you are called to demonstrate compassion, care, encouragement, and to challenge behaviors all the time, not just when teaching. That’s why integrating your life experiences and passions are key to inspiring students.”
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“I love working with children. I want to be a strong role model that has an influence on children’s current lives and futures. I believe that I am a motivator that brings hard work, dedication, creativity and fun to the classroom. I understand the importance of adaptability, positive rapport, and recognition of each child’s current state of development.”

“I am very excited and eager to pursue my career in teaching. I have experience student teaching on the first-and third-grade levels as well as teaching experiences at the preschool and second grade levels. I value the importance of a high-quality Catholic education and the special learning experiences that Catholic schools provide. It is my goal to combine my various experiences with my ability to be a compassionate, enthusiastic, hard-working teacher who will be a positive addition to your school and the community it serves.”


“Teaching is an inspiring profession. I like being a teacher because I have the opportunity to help form tomorrow’s leaders. I like the challenge that teaching presents. I want to work hard to create engaging learning experiences that will help my students grow academically and socially. It is rewarding to see the successes and excitement of the students.”
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“Throughout my career, I have had a passion to reach all students where they are, which included discovering the manner at which students process information. I believe in a growth mindset and helping students understand unacceptable responses to problems are information for the next attempt. I assist families in supporting their children by discovering their individual needs and looking for every opportunity to make mathematics meaningful.”

“Being part of The Academy is going to be a wonderful experience. I see it as a positive opportunity to connect with a strong community in order to foster independent growth and lifelong learning in our youth. Being a part of The Academy means that I will be given a chance to do what I love and to share my knowledge with my students and help them find their strengths.”


“I feel particularly excited to join The Academy because of the personalized learning that can take place in a smaller school. I believe the most effective learning takes place when teachers have the time and resources to invest in their students to best discover their individual strengths and weaknesses. A personal relationship between students and teachers means a better understanding of where and how to help a student develop to reach their full potential in the particular subject matter as well as in the school as a whole.”

“One thing I want my students to know about me is that I love learning! I’m excited to be part of The Academy because as a founding member, I will have the opportunity to impact the student body as we grow as an innovative leader in independent Catholic education. Something I’ll be focusing on this year in our classroom is providing a nurturing, warm and engaging environment where a love of learning begins.”
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“Team sports play a significant role in fulfilling the physical, mental and social development that every child needs. I plan to make the athletic program at The Academy strong. I am thrilled that The Academy will provide an outstanding faith-based academic, social and athletic environment, which are all crucial to creating a strong foundation for well-rounded, confident and successful children.”

"I’m excited to be part of The Academy because I love that we’re carrying on many of the SJA traditions while creating an even better school that is a new model for Catholic education. To help launch our groundbreaking independent school, my focus this year will be putting the critical elements in place to ensure The Academy runs smoothly for students, parents, teachers, staff, and the board. I will help establish the technology infrastructure, financial management and the operating and HR policies & procedures needed to help make The Academy a leader in education.”

