Our Teachers
St. Mary Academy teachers and faculty are wonderfully dedicated to their students and the school.
This shows such an impressive commitment of time, talent and treasure.
This shows such an impressive commitment of time, talent and treasure.
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Mrs. Rebecca Reynolds, B.Sc., M.A.
Principal rreynolds@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Reynolds is a graduate of Framingham State College in Massachusetts with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She received her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership with a Catholic focus from Barry University in Miami, Florida. She is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and has lived in Florida for over ten years. She has more than twelve years of experience teaching, with eight of those years in Catholic education. She came to St. Mary Academy five years ago from her Assistant Principal position at St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota, Florida. Mrs. Reynolds is newly married and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially at the beach! |
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Mrs. Julie Dapper, B.A., M.A,
Middle School Teacher jdapper@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Julie Dapper received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the College of St. Benedict, Masters of Arts degree in Curriculum and K-12 Reading Certification from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. She has 16 years of experience in Catholic Schools in 5th - 8th grades. She moved to Florida with her husband and three kids four years ago. She enjoys having fun with her family and friends and baking with her kids. She is very excited to be a part of the St. Mary's Academy community. |
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Mrs. Bonnie Dorigo
Teacher's Assistant bdorigo@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Dorigo received her Child Development Associate Credential from State College of Florida, and has earned her Director's and Administrator's credentials. She has served as a self-contained and personal aide in the Special Education Department at the high school-level in New York. She is a former Preschool Director and Pre-K teacher. Originally from Buffalo, she now calls Sarasota, home. |
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Ms. Rachel DeGarmo, B.A.
Physical Education Instructor rdegarmo@stmarthaschool.net Ms. DeGarmo received her Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She subsequently returned to the classroom at State College of Florida to earn her teaching credentials. Ms. DeGarmo is a Wisconsin native and has lived in Florida since 2001. She has been employed by St. Martha School for over eleven years; this will be her ninth year with St. Mary Academy. |
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Mrs. Erin Fredd, B.A., M.Ed.
Middle School Teacher efredd@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Fredd has a Master's degree in Education from the University of Florida and 15 years of teaching experience at the elementary level in Manatee County. Her goal as a teacher is to create a positive, exciting learning environment, promote independent thinking, and motivate children to become lifelong learners. She is a firm believer that children have various learning styles; therefore, she incorporates individual students' needs so that all children will be successful in our classroom. Outside of school she enjoys reading, walking, and cheering on the Florida Gators! She also enjoys traveling to new places with her husband and two boys ages 13 and 15. Mrs. Fredd believes that she is part of a team and that parent involvement is essential to the success of her students. |
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Mrs. Sandy Julian, B.S., M.A.
Resource Teacher sjulian@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Julian earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (PreK-6) with a concentration in Mathematics as well as her Masters in Reading (K-12) from State University of New York at Fredonia as a Summa Cum Laude graduate. She has over 20 years experience in teaching reading and math intervention as well as several years experience as a classroom teacher in both public and private school settings. She loves to spend time with family and friends, and is a volunteer at InStride Therapy, Inc. Originally from Western New York, Mrs. Julian now happily resides in Sarasota. Mrs. Julian was the recipient of the 12th Annual Golden Halo Award as the "Teacher of the Year, Grade 6th-8th." This award is organized by the Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida. |
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Chad Myers, B.S. M.Ed.
Elementary School Teacher cmyers@stmarysarasota.org Mr. Myers is an out-of-the-box educator whose mission is to empower students to seize the day and live extra-ordinary lives. His educational career spans 25 years in grades 4th-8th with a Bachelor’s of Science from University of Michigan, Educational Technology certification from Michigan State University, Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Development from Marygrove College in Detroit, MI and Chapman University in Orange, CA. He has experience as an educational consultant, speaker and author, teaching in public, inner city schools, summer camps and coaching youth sports. Chad was the head educator and co-director for a pop up school called the Xtraordinary Educational Xperience in Barcelona, Spain working with youth from countries all over the world. As a certified life coach, Chad possesses an in-depth understanding of how to develop human potential, teaching life skills and self-leadership. Chad and his wife Joanna recently relocated to Florida from Michigan. He enjoys exercising, reading, writing and traveling with his wife. He is a proud parent of two sons, 28 and 26 years old. |
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Ms. Sherry Nicosia, B.A., M.S.
Middle School Teacher snicosia@stmarysarasota.org Ms. Nicosia received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Humanities from Georgian Court University in New Jersey. She subsequently returned to Georgian Court where she also earned her Teacher of the Handicapped. Just recently, Ms. Nicosia earned her Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University, Kansas. She is a Florida certified teacher endorsed in English (5-9), Social Science (5-9), Elementary (K-6) as well as ESE (K-12). Ms. Nicosia has over 10 years teaching experience and is thrilled to be a part of St. Mary’s Academy family. |
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Mrs. Deb O'Shea
Music Teacher Mrs. Deb O'Shea hails from Northwest Ohio and is thrilled to begin teaching Music at St. Martha and St. Mary School. As a former teacher and principal for 21 years, she has many years of experience facilitating the learning process with her students. Mrs. O'Shea has taught private piano and flute lessons for over 30 years. She has been the organist/pianist at various churches for over 30 years also. Her favorite instrument to play is a grand piano! Her bachelor's degree in elementary education master's degree in educational administration is from the University of Toledo. She firmly believes learning happens through the multiple intelligences and music is one of those! She looks forward to working with all students in the elementary age, as she has taught preschool students for 10 years and also directed musicals with 5th-8th graders. Mrs. O'Shea loves technology and is excited to bring that enthusiasm into her classroom. Her goal is to instill an appreciation of music into her students. Her favorite type of music to play and listen to is Contemporary Christian. Her husband's name is Tom and she has 4 children and 9 grandchildren. She has 4 siblings, one of which is close by in Florida! |
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Mrs. Shannon Parsons, B.Sc.
Occupational Therapist, OTR/L sparsons@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Parsons received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has 15 years of pediatric experience and had previously worked in the Illinois public schools, as well as a pediatric clinic. She has training in Sensory Integration, Handwriting Without Tears and Therapeutic Listening. Mrs. Parsons lives locally with her husband. |
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Mrs. Cathy Powers, B.S., M.A.
Elementary School Teacher cpowers@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Powers began her teaching career in New York after earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary from Pace University. She continued her studies at Iona College where she earned a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Powers has over 17 years of teaching experience and has taught in both Catholic and Public Schools. She is a Florida certified teacher with an ESOL endorsement. Mrs. Powers lives in Sarasota with her husband and two children. |
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Mrs. Katie Rierson, M.A., M.A.,C.C.C.-S.L.P.
Communication, Speech and Language Pathologist krierson@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Katie Rierson received her Masters of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Central Florida. She holds a state of Florida professional license in speech and language therapy and teaching certification for K-12 with additional certification in Educational Leadership. She has 30-years of pediatric experience in speech and language pathology and had previously worked in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, Orange County public schools, as well as a pediatric clinic. Mrs. Rierson has training in Linda Mood Bell, Story Grammar Marker and sensory integration. Mrs. Rierson lives locally with her husband and daughter. |
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Mr. A.J. Scheip, A.A.
Teacher's Assistant ascheip@stmarysarasota.org Mr. Scheip is proud to be part of the St. Mary's family. He comes with unique humanitarian and youth experiences. For a year, he served and lived with the marginalized in a Franciscan homeless shelter in the middle of the Bronx. In frigid Minnesota, he ministered at a domestic violence shelter's daycare as a child mentor. He has an AA degree from Florida South Western State College. As an alumnus of St. Martha, he certainly takes pride in assisting the children of St. Mary Academy. He prays that he is able to use his gifts to the best of his ability. |
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Mrs. Carol Shaffer, B.S., M.A.
Elementary School Teacher cshaffer@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Shaffer has a Masters of Special Education from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science from National Louis University; with an Associate’s degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Shaffer joins us with over seven years of experience teaching in the public school system and holds a Florida teaching certificate endorsed in ESE, (K-12); and Elementary Education, (K-6). Mrs. Shaffer believes that healthy well educated human beings are the foundation of a sound society and is passionate about fostering students abilities both academically as well as emotionally. She is the mother of 4 children and enjoys cooking, reading and yoga on the beach. |
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Mrs. Kristina Wall, B.S., M.Ed.
Elementary School Teacher kwall@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. Kristina Wall received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading from Kutztown University and a Master of Science degree in Educational Development and Strategies from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. She has 15 years of teaching experience in Grades K-5. In the summer of 2018, she moved to Florida with her husband and two sons, Stephen and John. She enjoys trying different restaurants, attending her sons’ sporting events, and traveling. She is extremely excited to be a part of the St. Mary's Academy family. |
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Mrs. Christine Wyckoff, B.A.
Admissions Director and Spanish Teacher cwyckoff@stmarthaschool.net Mrs. Christine Wyckoff studied Spanish at Michigan State University and has been teaching for nine years. She grew up in Jackson, Michigan and moved to Florida several years ago. She loves the enthusiasm that the students bring to her class and believes that, while learning a second language can be intimidating, it should be fun, engaging and motivating. Mrs. Wyckoff teaches both St. Martha and St. Mary students. |