Saint Sebastian School Faculty and Staff


Staff	Information
	Mr. Greg Garey, Principal Phone: 330-836-9107 x 115 Email: gareyg@stsebastian.org Education: University of Charleston: B.S. Education; Kent State University: M.S. Education Administration; Principal Licensure work at Ursuline College Years in Education: 17 years overall, first year with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Sports, Movies, Coaching Vision: My vision for the school is that every child is given what they need in order to succeed through the collaborative efforts of the entire St. Sebastian community.
	Mrs. Diana McGee, School Secretary Phone: 330-836-9107 x 116 Email: mcgeed@stsebastian.org
	Mrs. Patty Smith, Preschool Director and Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 127 Email: smithp@stsebastian.org Education: Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and Family Life from the University of Akron, graduated Summa Cum Laude Years Teaching: 25 years overall, 13 with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Gardening, Reading, Watching high school sports where my children attend. Why I like teaching: I love to see the children's faces when they discover or explore something new to them. I enjoy watching the children as they show true joy in learning. I am humbled by a child's ability to truly know the love of God.
	Mrs. Stacey Bunn, Preschool Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 127 Email: fuersts@stsebastian.org Education: Akron University: B.S. Elementary Education. Minor Literature
	Mrs. Kathy Cardarelli, Preschool Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 127 Email: cardarellik@stsebastian.org Education: Akron University: B.A. Child Development and Family Life Years Teaching: 21 years overall, 9 with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Reading, Cooking Why I like teaching: The joy felt from the children every day.
	Mrs. Margaret Myers, Kindergarten Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 230 Email: myersm@stsebastian.org Education: University of Akron: B.A. Education. I have taken many additional courses to further my education. I also have a Basic Religion certification. Years Teaching: 20 years overall, 10 with St. Sebastian Honors: Teacher of the Year, Diocese of Cleveland Hobbies: Boating and traveling with my family, exercise and reading Why I like teaching: It is extremely rewarding to watch and be a part of the development of young children as they grow in knowledge, maturity and faith. Teaching religion is very special to me. Teaching in a Christian environment and being a follower of Christ is what St. Sebastian is all about. One of my favorite sayings is “what would Jesus do”. We strive to incorporate religion into everything we do. There are few rewards in life as gratifying as the feeling one gets when teaching a child to read. Reading is the basis of all learning and to be at the start of this is exciting.
	Mrs. Carolyn Schmidlin, Kindergarten Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 202 Email: schmidlinc@stsebastian.org Education: Spring Hill College: B.A. Spanish; Ursuline College: K-8 Teaching Certificate Years Teaching: I have been teaching at St. Sebastian School for 12 years. Prior to that, I worked as a kindergarten aide at St. Sebastian for 11 years. Honors: Teacher of the Year, Diocese of Cleveland Hobbies: Exercising, reading, traveling, and smocking Why I like teaching: Kindergarten is an exciting, fun place to teach as it is the student’s first experience in elementary school. It is especially enjoyable to watch our classroom develop a family atmosphere in which each child truly cares about the other members of the class. One of my favorite activities which nurtures the family atmosphere in our classroom is one in which each child bring in a “memory bag” in the beginning of the school year. The children love to share items from their bags that are special to them and we are able to get to know each other a little better through this sharing activity. The children’s enthusiasm for learning also makes kindergarten a wonderful place in which to teach. The children come to school so eager to learn and are excited about every part of the curriculum and their day. My goal as a kindergarten teacher is to make each child’s first school experience a positive one in which a love for learning is instilled and will continue to grow.
	Mrs. Amanda Coyle, First Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 205 Email: coylea@stsebastian.org Education: Walsh University: B.S. Education
	Miss Melane Francis, First Grade Teacher, PSR Principal, Diocesan licensure chairperson Phone: 330-836-9107 x 233 Email: francism@stsebastian.org Education: Baldwin Wallace College: B.S. Elementary Education; John Carroll University: LD-BD (Special Education); Diocese of Cleveland: Master Catechist
	Mrs. Kelly Gupta, Second Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 216 Email: guptak@stsebastian.org Education: Kent State University: B.S. Elementary Education, Graduated Summa Cum Laude. Years Teaching: 14 years overall, 9 with St. Sebastian Honors: Golden Key National Honor Society, Phi Delta Kappa Education Honorary, Teacher of the Year in 2006 Hobbies: I love to sing and swim. Why I like teaching: The children are so wonderful that I love to come to work every day just to to see them learn new things! I also love running into former students who are enjoying success later in life, and know that I was a part of their education!
	Mrs. Sue Vernon, Second Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 208 Email: vernons@stsebastian.org Education: Kent State University: B.S. Education; Graduate courses from Notre Dame College, Ursuline College and the University of Akron; Pathwise Certified Mentor Teacher, 2003; Certified Religion Teacher, certificate renewed 2009 Years Teaching: 32 years overall, 21 with St. Sebastian Honors: Teacher of the Year 2000; Mentor for 2 student teachers and 7 degreed teachers; Speaker on behalf of the Diocese of Cleveland at an Education Forum for Leadership Akron, 2002, 2003; Recognition by the Diocese of Cleveland for over 30 years of service to Catholic Schools Hobbies: I am an avid gardener and collector of children's literature; I enjoy decorating and entertaining family and friends often. Why I like teaching: I have a passion for reading and writing, and I love teaching because it allows me to arm my children with the tools to be good readers and writers. It is a thrill when my class moves from easy readers to chapter books, and there is no greater joy than to introduce children to an outstanding piece of literature, and then inspire them to write and draw creatively.
	Miss Elizabeth Dain, Third Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 209 Email: daine@stsebastian.org Education: University of Akron: B.S. Education, M.A. Early Childhood Education with Literacy Focus Years Teaching: 6 years overall, 4 with St. Sebastian Honors: National Board Certification Hobbies: reading, sports, travel, and spending time with family and friends Why I like teaching: I enjoy getting to know "my kids" every year and growing together as a family. I love having the opportunity to watch my students develop academically, socially and spiritually each school year.
	Mrs. Denise Finley, Third Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 210 Email: finleyd@stsebastian.org Education: Akron University: B.S. Education, plus yearly post graduate courses and workshops Years Teaching: 17 years with St. Sebastian Honors: Teacher of the Year at St. Sebastian Hobbies: spending time with my family, reading and cooking Why I like teaching: I love to help children continue to develop their strengths, and become independent thinkers and workers. I also love their enthusiasm and sense of wonderment.
	Mrs. Cynthia Poludniak, Fourth Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 204 Email: poludniakc@stsebastian.org Education: Kent State University: B.S. Nursing; Mount Union: B.A. Education Years Teaching: 10 years with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Reading, Walking, Power Boating on Lake Erie Why I like teaching: I enjoy working with the future leaders of our community.
	Mrs. Jennifer Slegus, Fourth Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 213 Email: slegusj@stsebastian.org Education: Kent State University: B.S. Elementary Education Grades 1-8 Years Teaching: 9 years with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Playing with my son, walking and reading. Why I like teaching: I like teaching to see the excitement and joy on the student's faces as they learn about new topics. I always love to see the moment of "I get it" in their eyes. It is a wonderful feeling when students come back to your class and let you know what a great time they had with you.
	Miss Lauren Walter, Fourth Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 Email: walterl@stsebastian.org Education: University of Akron: B.S. in Education; University of Akron: M.S. Curriculum and Instruction Years Teaching: This is my first year of teaching 4th grade, prior to that I worked as a kindergarten aide at St. Sebastian for a year. Hobbies: Why I like teaching:
	Mr. Brett Beebe, Fifth Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 206 Email: beebeb@stsebastian.org Education: University of Akron: B.S. Years Teaching: 4 with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Coaching Basketball Why I like teaching: I really like working with my students. It is a pleasure to watch my students grow in their learning experiences and in their faith.
	Mrs. Sharon Kastelic, Fifth Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 212 Email: kastelics@stsebastian.org Education: Bowling Green University: B.S. Education; Special Education: Post Graduate Elementary Endorsement Years Teaching: 13 years overall, 7 with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Reading and Scrapbooking Why I like teaching: I love to see the students get excited about learning and have fun at the same time.
	Mr. Michael McDonald, Sixth Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 214 Email: mcdonaldm@stsebastian.org Education: Mount Union College: B.A. Elementary Education Years Teaching: 9 years with St. Sebastian Honors: Teacher of the Year - St. Sebastian School 2003; All-County Teaching Team 2008, Parochial School Representative Hobbies: reading, running, outdoor activities and spending time with my wife and family Why I like teaching: I like teaching because each day is an adventure. I love to see my students "get" a lesson and see the lightbulb go off. Teaching to me is cultivating the young minds of tomorrow. To me, teaching is an experience that never gets old because the kids are always changing.
	Mr. Anthony Rohr, Sixth Grade Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 217 Email: rohra@stsebastian.org Education: University of Akron: B.S.
	Mr. Allyn Rose, Junior High Teacher - Social Studies Phone: 330-836-9107 x 220 Email: rosea@stsebastian.org Education: University of Akron: B.S. in Psychology, M.S. in Education-Concentration in Social Studies, Grades 7-12 Years Teaching: 4 years overall, 3 with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Golfing, barbecuing on the grill Why I like teaching: It is an intrinsically rewarding and meaningful career.
	Mr. Troy Fogle, Junior High Teacher - Math Phone: 330-836-9107 x 218 Email: foglet@stsebastian.org Education: Walsh University: B.S.
	Miss Sally Weakland, Junior High Teacher - Language Arts and Religion Phone: 330-836-9107 x 201 Email: weaklands@stsebastian.org Education: Harvard University: B.A English and American Literature; Akron University: Master’s Language Arts with Reading Endorsement Years Teaching: 11 years overall, 6 with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Reading and Traveling Why I like teaching: I love teaching junior high students because they are at the age where they can do many advanced critical thinking activities and have so much potential. I focus on giving them the foundation they need in high school and beyond. The wonderful thing about teaching in a Catholic school is that we are able to address the individual needs of the students in our classes. I especially enjoy teaching seventh grade religion because the students have many insights into faith and engage in deep questions about our beliefs.
	Mrs. Betty Indriolo, Junior High Teacher - Science Phone: 330-836-9107 x 221 Email: indriolob@stsebastian.org Education: John Carroll University: B.S. Chemistry; Mount Union College: Teacher Certificate Years Teaching: 9 years with St. Sebastian Honors: Akron Notre Dame Club Excellence in Education Award—2009, AMS Grant $500—2009, Scholarship to attend Plantingscience.org teacher’s session at Texas A&M University—2009, Scholarship to attend AMS teacher session at the University of Akron—2008, Scholarship to attend teacher summer class at OSU’s Stone Laboratory—2007, ACCESS Grant $500—2005 & 2006, Scholarship to attend teacher class at Akron Global Polymer Academy—2004 & 2006, Scholarship to attend week-long class at the Audubon Camp in Maine--2002 Hobbies: Birdwatching, Biking/Hiking, Reading, Gardening Why I like teaching: In the nine years I have been teaching, I have heard the words “Thank You” more times compared to any other job.
	Mr. Jeff Beshore, Music Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 223 Email: beshorej@stsebastian.org Education: Kent State University: B.S. Music Years Teaching: 10 years overall, 4 with St. Sebastian Honors: Service Playing Certificate from the American Guild of Organists and CAGO certificate in the American Guild of Organists. Hobbies: Raising poultry Why I like teaching: Teaching allows me to share my knowledge and love of music with future generations. My position also allows me to watch them grow musically through the years. I hope to instill an understanding of music concepts that will be used in their adult lives.
	Mrs. Joan Langenbeck, Physical Education Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 224 Email: langenbeckj@stsebastian.org Education: Ohio University: B.S. Education Years Teaching: 28 years overall (including 2 years overseas), 20 with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Golf, cycling, reading, gardening and watching sports Why I like teaching: I love teaching because every day is different and the student's enthusiasm I experience makes the job wonderfully unique. Physical education has been a fulfilling choice since the curriculum is wide open and allows me to create fun activities that provide fitness and skill development. It is satisfying to watch students realize that with hard work and discipline they can achieve their goals. I am grateful for the opportunity to form relationships over a nine year period that often continues into adulthood.
	Mr. Richard Ott, Computer Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 123 Email: ottr@stsebastian.org Education: Malone College: B.S. Mathematics and Chemistry; Graduate work at Akron University, Bowling Green University, and Ashland University; Certified Computer Science, Math, Chemistry and General Science. Years Teaching: 40 years overall, 10 with St. Sebastian Honors: Baseball: State Champions 1972, 7 league championships as a coach; Navy Reservist: Master Chief Hospital Corpsman, Navy Commendation Medal; Teacher: Governor’s Award for Excellence in Math Proficiency, Grants for St Sebastian School over $32,000 in last two years Hobbies: Worked with computers since 1969, Baseball player or coach for 45 years. Golf and basketball. Why I like teaching: I really enjoy the enthusiasm that the little kids bring with them to school. They are fun to be around.
	Mrs. Katrina Stoneman, Art and Drama Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 229 Email: stonemank@stsebastian.org Education: Youngstown State University: B.S. Art Education, Physical Education K-12 Years Teaching: 14 years with St. Sebastian Honors: City of Akron Holocaust Teaching Awards for numerous years. Numerous students have won Holocaust awards in various fields and have won trips to Washington D.C.; Teacher and Student Awards with the Architecture Society of Akron Chapter of American Institute of Architects and various other awards. Hobbies: Naturally like Art and have done mural work, created large sets and enjoy painting. Enjoy Theatre and Drama, directed plays for St. Sebastian School Drama Club for 12 years. Like to Ski, have been Ski Advisor at St. Sebastian for 14 plus years. Active soccer player and have coached numerous Girls Soccer Teams at St. Sebastian for many years. Originally from Wales and enjoy traveling. Have traveled to many countries around the world and through out most of the United States. Enjoy all types of dance including modern dance, Irish dancing, and Folk dancing. Why I like teaching: Working with God’s creation is the most effective way to change the world. As the children work on their art assignments, I love to see the look on their faces as they explore into themselves and their art projects. I feel there is a no more important life work than teaching students through the arts and art history.
	Mrs. Palma Perkins, Spanish Teacher Phone: 330-836-9107 x 225 Email: perkinsp@stsebastian.org Education: Akron University: B.S. and B.A. Accounting, Computer Programming. Minor in Spanish Years Teaching: 14 years with St. Sebastian Honors: Honors from U of Akron (10 years teaching Spanish). Some honor awards from various companies for training/consulting work for Spanish. Hobbies: Reading, biking and hiking Why I like teaching: I feel that teaching is one of my callings in life and one in which I find a true purpose and a satisfaction in knowing that I have touched so many lives. Hopefully, I will continue to make a difference in the lives of those that I teach and have taught and will continue to teach. Also, I love the Spanish language and I do so want others to learn and appreciate the advantages of learning a foreign language. I enjoy teaching the children of St. Sebastian so much. They are truly special gifts from God.
	Mrs. Eileen Cox, Librarian Phone: 330-836-9107 x 227 Email: coxe@stsebastian.org Education: B.A. in Dietetics from University of Akron Years Teaching: 11 years with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Reading, Movies, Music, Cake decorating Why I like teaching: I love the reaction of a student who truly enjoys a book I’ve suggested. I try to make reading fun and think the library has become a warm, welcoming place.
	Mrs. Julie Ash, Auxiliary Services Phone: 330-864-8977 Email: ashj@stsebastian.org Education: University of Cincinnati: B.S. Education; Xavier University: M.S. Education Years Teaching: 30 years overall, 18 with St. Sebastian Honors: Adult Girl Scout Awards- Appreciation Pin, The Honor Pin, The Thanks Badge Hobbies: Walking, sewing, spending time with family and volunteering with the Copley-Fairlawn Girl Scout Service Unit and The Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Council Why I like teaching: Teaching provides me with the opportunity to assist students in reaching their learning capacity. I enjoy using a variety of instructional approaches and actively engaging the students in the learning process while in a small group setting. My greatest satisfaction and enjoyment comes when a student experiences success. It is a great feeling when a child goes from “I don’t understand it” to “I’ve got it now”. St. Sebastian School has given me the chance to work in a setting that has a strong, values-oriented education along with academic excellence.
	Mrs. Maggi Blischak, Auxiliary Services Phone: 330-864-8977 Email: blischakm@stsebastian.org Education: Ohio State University: B.S. Education; Kent State University: M.S. Education with Reading Specialization Years Teaching: 14 years overall, 10 with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Reading, Hiking Why I like teaching: I like teaching because every day is a new and different experience and there are surprises around every corner. Teaching keeps me young and allows me to continue seeing the world through the eyes of children.
	Mrs. Elsie Oldfield, Auxiliary Services Phone: 330-864-8977 Email: oldfielde@stsebastian.org
	Mrs. Teresa Schleier, Auxiliary Services Phone: 330-864-8977 Email: schleiert@stsebastian.org Education: Malone College: Associates Degree Secretarial Science Years in Education: 24 years overall, 20 with St. Sebastian Hobbies: Cooking, Gardening, and Home Repair
	Mrs. Joyce Kalb, Auxiliary Services Phone: 330-864-8977 Email: kalbj@stsebastian.org Education: B.A./M.A. Years Teaching: 32 years overall, 2 with St. Sebastian Honors: Helping Hands Award; PTA Award (Nordonia Schools) Hobbies: Sewing, Reading, Bible Studies, Teaching Sunday School Why I like teaching: I enjoy children tremendously and love to help them develop their communication skills. St. Sebastian's is a wonderful place to work with a high quality staff and precious children!
	Mrs. Ann Traverse, Auxiliary Services Phone: 330-864-8977 Email: traversea@stsebastian.org Education: Ursuline College: B.S.; Case Western Reserve University: M.S. Years Teaching: 10 years with St. Sebastian Honors: Teacher of the Year (Lawndale School) Hobbies: Tennis, Reading, Hiking Why I like teaching: It's a great privilege to be an influence in the education of children.