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 eight years ago from her Assistant Principal position at St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota, Florida. Mrs. Reynolds and her husband enjoy spending time with their two children, family and friends, especially at the beach! |
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Mrs. Julie Dapper, B.A., M.A,
Middle School Teacher and Admissions Director 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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Ms. Erline "Ellie" De Murias
Teacher's Assistant edemurias@stmarysarasota.org Mrs. De Murias has a strong leadership background. She worked as a trainer for a law firm for 20 years and has been a Catechist for 4 years at St. Martha Parish. She enjoys to volunteer in the community and is involved with Wildlife Rehab Center, served as the food pantry coordinator at St. Joseph, and volunteered with the Humane Society of Manatee County. Ellie loves teaching children and is so pleased to have found a home at St. Mary Academy. Ellie has two adult sons that she describes as the loves of her life! |
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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 17 years of teaching experience at the elementary school level. 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 15 and 17. 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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Ms. Sarah Griffin, OTR/L, CHC
Occupational Therapy sgriffin@stmarysarasota.org Sarah Griffin received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University and has been serving the pediatric population as a registered and licensed therapist since 2002. She received her Accredited Health Coach certification in 2014. Sarah received her Advanced Pediatric Specialist Certification from NBCOT in 2018. Sarah has worked in various settings including All Children's Hospital, school systems, and private clinics. Sarah believes in treating the whole person and approaches therapy in a holistic, fun and positive manner. Sarah supports childhood development, academic learning and sensory processing utilizing the programs and techniques in which she is has received extensive training, including Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting Without Tears, Brain Gym, The Wilbarger Protocol, The READY Approach and The Zones of Regulation. Sarah is also pursuing her master's degree. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, attending church, and participating in continuing education. |
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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. 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 and adorable baby boy. |
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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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Ms. Marsha Umana, B.S., M.S.
Middle School Teacher mumana@stmarysarasota.org Ms. Marsha Umana's favorite aspect of teaching is to make a positive impact in her students' and their family’s lives. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in English and earned her Master of Science degree in Education/Reading with a Catholic focus from Barry University in Miami. Ms. Umana is originally from Washington, DC and has lived in Florida for over 15 years. Her certifications include Reading K-12, Exceptional Student Education K-12, PreK/Primary, English 6-12, and Elementary Education. She has been a Catholic school educator for over 15 years in various roles including Middle School Language Arts, Religion, Media Specialist: PK-8, Reading Specialist and Academic Coach. Ms. Umana has two adult sons, both of whom serve in the military--one of whom graduated from Virginia Tech and the other who is currently attending Virginia Tech. She enjoys spending time with her sons, family, and friends. Ms. Umana is very pleased to join the St. Mary Academy community! |
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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 from Kutztown University and a Master of Science degree in Educational Development and Strategies from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. She holds a Florida teaching certificate endorsed in ESE and Reading. She has 20 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. Stephen and John both attend St. Martha's Catholic School. She enjoys attending Stephen's baseball tournaments, John's basketball games, trying new restaurants, and traveling. She loves being a part of the St. Mary Academy family. |
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Miss Victoria Young, B.S., M.A.
Music Teacher vyoung@stmarysarasota.org Victoria Young is originally from Yardley, Pennsylvania. She is excited to begin teaching Music at St. Martha and St. Mary school. She previously worked in Philadelphia, PA as a 2nd grade teacher, Librarian, and Resource teacher for the past 5 years. She was also a member of her church choir as well as a regular Sunday cantor for many years. For 4 years, she directed a small parish children’s choir and was also an assistant choir director at a catholic school in Ewing, NJ for one year. Her bachelor’s degree is in Elementary, Early Childhood and Special Education from Gwynedd-Mercy College in Ambler, PA. Her master’s degree is in Reading from Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA. She looks forward to working with the students from both schools and being able to instill her love for music to them. Her parents and younger brother have all recently moved to Venice and are excited to begin their next chapter in the great state of Florida! |