Maureen Arbeznik, Principal

Maureen Arbeznik, a Lakewood resident and parent of four Lakewood Catholic school graduates, became principal of Lakewood Catholic Academy in the Fall of 2006. Prior to joining LCA, she was a 7th grade homeroom teacher at St. Luke School, and before being named principal, taught French at LCA.

She holds a B.S. in Education from Xavier University and a M. Ed. in School Administration from Cleveland State University. Her studies also included a year at the Sorbonne in Paris. She and her husband have been St. Luke parishioners for more than 30 years.

Mike Fletcher, Dean of Students

Mike Fletcher is a graduate of John Carroll University, where he received a degree in English Literature, with a minor in Business.  He received his teaching certification from Notre Dame College, and has taught at Cleveland Central Catholic High School.  He also spent time while receiving his education credential observing and teaching at Berkshire High School in Burton, Ohio.

He has worked extensively with children, at a variety of levels and in multiple settings. He served as a youth sports instructor with the Hillcrest YMCA as a John Carroll Student, and since then he has coached basketball at both the elementary and secondary levels, including as a Head Coach of freshmen at Cleveland Central Catholic and at Gesu Catholic School, where he coached seventh graders.

Cathie McPhie, Controller

I am the product of 12 years of Catholic Education, having attended Lorain St Mary Academy grade school -- the same school my grandmother, mother and my six brothers all attended. I graduated from Lorain Catholic High School in 1976 and received my BS in Business Management from Tiffin with an Associates Degree in Accounting through Lorain County Community College.

I am in my 14th year of working in a school environment, 12 of which have been in Catholic schools. I am very excited to be at LCA as there is nothing that compares to the environment of a Catholic school.  After being in the public sector for two years, it was more than evident that where I belonged was back in schools and more so in a Catholic school environment where each of us truly makes a difference with our deep commitment to our faith and to the children.

Mary Ann Campbell, Director of Advancement

Mary Ann Campbell brings her passion for Catholic education to LCA from a lifetime of involvement with Catholic elementary schools, high schools, and colleges as a student and a parent of two sons who attended Catholic schools through college. A graduate of Saint Augustine Academy and Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Mrs. Campbell has extensive experience in relationship building as a small business owner, volunteer, and development professional. Her vision for LCA includes a comprehensive and sustainable advancement program based on building long term relationships between LCA and philanthropic supporters throughout the Diocese of Cleveland.

Most recently, Mrs. Campbell served in the development office at Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center as the associate for their capital campaign and donor relations. She was the Director of Stewardship at Saint Ann Parish in Cleveland Heights. Mrs. Campbell served in a number of volunteer leadership roles in Catholic schools including as chair of Saint Ignatius High School’s Parent Annual Fund for two years. As president of the Loyola Society Mothers’ Club at the school, she worked with hundreds of volunteers to plan and execute over thirty events and programs during the school year. Mary Ann resides in Rocky River with her husband, Tom.

Marilyn Wangler, Technology Coordinator

Marilyn Wangler is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education and additional areas of Library Science and Computers.  Before joining LCA, she taught computers and 8th grade Science at St. Luke  and had taught there for 17 years.  She has also instructed Cleveland Catholic Diocese teachers in a variety of computer classes. 

Prior to coming to St. Luke School, she taught in Cleveland Public Schools and Our Lady of the Angels.  She lives in Lakewood with her husband, is the parent of one daughter, a graduate of St. Luke, and has been a St. Luke parishioner for many years.

Paul Nickels, Director, Marketing & Admissions

Paul Nickels has been involved with Lakewood Catholic Academy since it was conceived in 2004. He began as part-time Director of Development and joined full-time in the fall of 2006. He is currently responsible for for recruiting new students, marketing the school, and assisting with other administrative matters. He is also the webmaster for Lakewood Catholic Academy.

Paul has more than 30 years of experience in communications at organizations such as Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and Ursuline College. He is a parishioner at St. Luke Parish and he and his wife Colleen are the parents of two sons, Joseph and Ben.

Bill Deisler, Facilities Manager

Bill Deisler manages the physical plant and maintenance operations for the buildings and grounds that encompass the large lakefront campus of Lakewood Catholic Academy.  Just prior to Joining LCA, Bill was facilities manager at St. Luke Parish, with responsibilities for the church and school buildings and all other structures on the property. 

For more than 35 years, Bill has been a master carpenter, a construction foreman, and vice president of production for local builders.  He brings a wealth of knowledge about taking care of old building to the LCA campus, as well as a passion for Catholic education.  Bill also served in the Navy from 1969 until 1973.

Cheri Bohner, Secretary

I'm happy to be a member of the office staff at Lakewood Catholic Academy as School Secretary.  Prior to coming to LCA, I was the secretary at St. Clement.  I live in Lakewood with my husband, two teenage children, and our loyal Basset Hound, Max. 

In my free time I enjoy gardening, decorating, and quilting.  I look forward to the challenge of getting to know all the students and parents of the LCA family.

Karen Burke, Secretary

Karen Burke is a familiar face to all who come to LCA! Prior to joining the staff here, Mrs. Burke was the secretary at St. Luke School for many years. 

Bianca Barfield

Hi! My name is Bianca Barfield and I am grateful to be part of the Preschool team here at LCA. I graduated from Cuyahoga Community College with my Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I have been working with preschool children for the past five years, but my love for children began much earlier than that. I learned about Reggio Emilia when I student taught under Toni Cernoia, another recent addition to our preschool team.

Family is such an important part of my life and I love spending time with them, especially when we are playing games. Besides this, some of my hobbies include reading, word puzzles, and a renewed interest in nature. I love sharing my life with the children in my classroom and I look forward to getting to know the families of my students as well!

Pam Bundy

Hi!  My name is Pam Bundy and I am excited to be a part of Lakewood Catholic Academy.  I began my teaching career at St. Clement School five years ago and was extremely excited to be given the privilege to continue teaching at LCA.  I continue to study early childhood education and feel passionate about the importance of educating young children.  I truly believe that children become life-long learners in their early years and I am glad to be a part of those years.

My husband and I live in Lakewood and have been married for 12 years.  I have two children, both of whom attend LCA.  We have been members of St. Clement parish for the past six years.  When I’m not planning lessons and projects for class, I enjoy spending time cooking, reading, and shopping. 

I am very happy to be a part of continuing the strong tradition of Catholic education in Lakewood.

Toni Cernoia

My name is Toni Cernoia, and I am grateful to be one of the team of preschool teachers at LCA. I hold a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction, from Cleveland State University. While studying for my degree, I learned about the wonderful schools of Reggio Emilia. I have spent the past five years teaching in a classroom inspired by those schools. I am also an adjunct professor at Cuyahoga Community College.

My husband Arthur and I have been married thirty-one years and have raised three daughters. Emily, Erica, and Annie.

I enjoy being with my family and being outdoors in nature-- gardening, bird watching, biking, and hiking.

Mary Fried

Hi!  My name is Mary Fried, and I’m really excited about joining the Preschool team here at LCA.  I have an AAS degree in Early Childhood Education and Pre-K Certification from Cuyahoga Community College .

Prior to joining LCA, I worked for the Berea School District as an Intervention Associate, facilitated parenting classes at the Berea Children’s Home/Family Life Center and taught preschool in Strongsville .  As a member of a short-term missionary team, I have facilitated several English Camps in Russia .  These experiences have enriched my life and enabled me to celebrate ones family culture and traditions.

My husband, Phil, and I have been married for 26 years, and we have two grown children whom we are very proud of.  They are college graduates and enjoy their work with troubled teens in Utah.

I’m looking forward to meeting all of you involved with the school, and especially the children and families involved in our Pre-K program.  It is my belief that the early years are crucial in aiding children to build a strong foundation for later growth and development.  I am passionate about my work, and I plan to implement a high quality program that is nurturing, stimulating and encourages a lifelong love of learning.

Karen Beegan

Welcome to Kindergarten! My name is Karen Beegan and I am very excited to be a part of the LCA teaching team. I have lived in Lakewood for 10 years with my husband Paul and now with our children Gavin, Caden and Violet. When we aren’t working on our house, we love to travel, hike, and spend time with family and friends. I graduated from Cleveland State University with a Masters in Early Childhood Education. My undergraduate time was spent at Purdue University where I received my degree in Management. I spent 12 years in retail management before I decided to make a change.

Education is a career path I chose to move into because I enjoyed watching as my son and his friends discovered the world around them. I wanted to help children realize they can be anything in the world they want to be. My son Gavin started Kindergarten at LCA when the school first began the journey and I had hoped then that I would be given the opportunity to grow and learn here as a teacher in the near future! I have been given a wonderful opportunity to be with your children and help them along on their journey through school. I am sure that together we will all be successful! I look forward to meeting everyone very soon!

Michelle Seghi

Hi! I am Michelle Seghi and I will be teaching Kindergarten this year at LCA! I grew up just across the bridge in Rocky River and attended Rocky River High School before heading to college at the University of Kentucky.

During my time at Kentucky, I was able to complete my student teaching in Christchurch, New Zealand and earned a degree in elementary education. I am glad to be back in the Cleveland area and am enjoying my experience here at LCA!

Lindsey Shelley

Hello! I am Lindsey Shelley and I am a Kindergarten teacher at LCA.  I graduated from Mount Union College in 2005 with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. Before coming to LCA, I taught Kindergarten at Le Chaperon Rouge in Strongsville.

I am very excited to be apart of the LCA family because everyone is very welcoming and has a contagious spirit!  Ever since I was small I dreamed of being a teacher. The best part of living my dream is seeing the children go through those “ah-ha” moments. It is at moment that the child realizes they can do something they never could before. That is why I love being a teacher! 

I am very blessed to be at Lakewood Catholic Academy to inspire the minds of children.  Aside from teaching, I love spending time with my husband, listening to music, working out, and getting together with my friends.

Bethany Conaway

I am a product of the Lakewood Catholic Schools, having attended St. Clement's for grade school and St. Augustine Academy for high school. I earned my teaching degree from Cleveland State University.  I have taught first grade at St. James for eight years.  In the summer, I run the Ohio Heritage Program at the Old Stone House through the Lakewood Recreation Department.

I enjoy spending time with my family and my dog, Riley.  I enjoy teaching at Lakewood Catholic Academy and continuing the tradition of excellence in Lakewood.

Sue Corrigan

I grew up in Lakewood and am a product of the Lakewood Catholic schools. I attended St. Clement, where I had Miss Barbara for third grade, and then continued my elementary education at St. Luke. I attended St. Augustine Academy and then Bowling Green State University where I earned my degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduating from college I returned to my alma mater of St. Luke to teach fifth grade.

I was very fortunate to be mentored by two excellent teachers, who are St. Luke legends, Mrs. Mary Vande Velde (who was my first grade teacher ) and Miss Mary Ann Mescan. I then made the move to first grade, which I have taught for the past 16 years and have loved every minute of it!  One of the greatest joys of my profession is teaching children to read and sharing in their sense of accomplishment!

Jennifer Komar

I am very excited to teach first grade at Lakewood Catholic Academy.  I have a degree in Early Childhood Education from Cleveland State University, and have taught first grade at St. James School for six years.  In the summer, I enjoy teaching at the Ohio Heritage camp in Lakewood.  I also enjoy spending time with my family and my two dogs. 

Mary Frantz

My name is Mary Frantz. I am a graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Indiana, where I received my degree in Elementary Education. Prior to that I attended Magnificat High School and before that, Saint Raphael School.

I come from a big family of seven kids and I love telling funny stories about my brothers and sisters. I love to run and I enjoy going to South Bend to watch my favorite football team (Notre Dame). I am excited to work with the second graders as they prepare for their First Reconciliation and First Communion. I love teaching at a Catholic School because I believe in the essential role of faith in education.

"The mind will not be educated at the expense of the heart." 

-Father Basil Moreau, CSC, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross

Mary Clare Kelley

I grew up in Lakewood.  I am a graduate of St. Clement School, Magnificat and the University of Detroit.  I have been teaching 2nd grade for 22 years.  I taught at St. Luke, St. Angela and Lakewood City Schools.  I love teaching in a Catholic school because it allows me the opportunity to pass on our Catholic beliefs to our little ones in preparing them for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

My husband, Kevin, and I have been married for 40 years and are members of St. Luke Parish.   We have been blessed with five sons who attended St. Luke, St. Ed’s and St. Ignatius.  All five are married to great girls and we enjoy being grandparents to 14 sweethearts under the age of 7!

Ann Stefancin

Hi, my name is Ann Stefancin and I am very excited to be part of the LCA 2nd grade team. I live in West Park with my husband, Dan, who is a Captain with the Cleveland Fire Department, and our four children. Sean is at St. Ignatius, Megan is at St. Joseph Academy and Sara and Erin will be in the 8th and 5th grades here with me at LCA.

Early in my career, I taught 2nd and 3rd grade at Ascension and Sts. Philip and James. I took time off from teaching to raise my family but always stayed active in my children's school by volunteering as a PSR teacher, a room mother, and a coordinator of various fundraising activities.  I also have been a certified aerobic instructor working with various age groups. For the past eight years, I developed a fitness program for exercising with seniors through the Wellness Center of Fairview Hospital Teaching and learning have always been a constant in everything I do, from my family to my work.

My weekends are filled watching my children participate in their sport activities and being involved in our various Irish functions from music to dance. I am looking forward to a wonderful new start for my love of teaching here at Lakewood Catholic Academy.

Sheri Masterson

I reside in West Park, with my husband Brendan, our two-year-old daughter Bridget, and our dog Millie. When I am not teaching or planning lessons, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love reading, shopping, decorating, crafts and the outdoors, especially the beach!

Being a teacher was the only career I ever dreamed of! I attended eight years of grade school at St. Mark Elementary in Cleveland and, believe it or not, Mrs. Arbeznik was my Second Grade teacher! I then moved on to Lakewood High School and graduated in 1988 and graduated from Edinboro University Of Pennsylvania in December of 1992, with a Bachelor Of Science Degree in Elementary Education. I have been a Catholic School Teacher for 15 years. I absolutely love teaching in a Catholic School and sharing my faith with all of my students! I believe that my experiences as a Catholic School Teacher have helped my faith to grow so much more than I ever expected! I enjoy being a part of Lakewood Catholic Academy and the Third Grade Team!

Wendy Pallotta

Hello!  My name is Mrs. Wendy Pallotta, and I will be teaching 3rd grade at Lakewood Catholic Academy.  I am very excited to be part of the LCA family!  I graduated from Grove City College in Pennsylvania in 1986 with a BA in Communications.  I worked as a Promotions Director and Radio Announcer for 8 years at radio stations in Youngstown (Y-103FM), Akron (WONE-FM), and Cleveland (WLTF, and WNCX).  I retired from radio when I had my first daughter in 1994.  After I had my second daughter, I earned an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from LCCC, and taught the Four and More Class at Bay Presbyterian Nursery School for 3 years. 

 I then worked as the Kindergarten Science teacher and Aide for 5 years at St. Raphael School.  Over the past 2 years I have taken classes at CSU, student taught at Urban Community School, and received my license to teach K-3.  I am 3 classes away from completing my Masters degree at CSU in Early Childhood Education/ Curriculum and Instruction.  

I have been married to my husband, Tony, since 1990 (he is a John Carroll grad.), and we have 2 wonderful daughters.  Caroline (14) is a student at St. Joseph Academy, and  Allison (12) is a student at St. Raphael School.   We also have a feisty puppy, Mindy!  I look forward to meeting the LCA students and families!

Barbara Butcher

I am originally from a small coal-mining town in Pennsylvania, about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh.  My father was a coal miner for 45 years.  I guess you can say that I am a coal-miners daughter!  I am a graduate of California State College, now known as California University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Elementary Education.  I reside in Lakewood, and before joining LCA I had been a teacher at St. Luke School for many years, and I have been blessed with wonderful colleagues, students, and their parents.  I am very grateful to be a part of Lakewood Catholic Academy.

Leah Nagy

I'm Leah Nagy and I teach the fourth grade at Lakewood Catholic Academy.  I am a graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo, where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Childhood Education.  I live in Cleveland with my husband, but I have lived in several different places including Buffalo, New York and London, England.   I am thrilled to be part of the LCA family.  My favorite subjects to teach are science and language arts.  I love to travel and to watch a good baseball game!

Patty Sullivan

Hi, my name is Patty Sullivan and I am delighted to be teaching 4th Grade at LCA! I graduated last December from Cleveland State University with a B.S., Education, after completing my student teaching at LCA with Mrs. Martin. My previous work experience includes several years as a teacher’s aide at Urban Community School in Cleveland , a two-year stint as school secretary, and four years as coordinator of an after-school tutoring program.

I have three adult children, Anne, Laura and Daniel, and a dog, Storm. I have lived in Lakewood since 2002 and enjoy walking around the various neighborhoods. I am excited to be working with such a wonderful community of families and educators, and look forward to a great year!

Meghann Hubach

Hi! My name is Meghann Hubach. I am the product of 16 years of Catholic school, having attended St. Angela Merici, Magnificat High School and John Carroll University. I graduated from John Carroll in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation I taught sixth, seventh and eighth grade Social Studies, and sixth grade literature at Saint Luke School for four years.

I am very excited to be a part of the LCA community. In addition to my teaching career I also coach varsity basketball at Magnificat, as well as eighth grade volleyball at Rocky River Middle School.

Mary Martin

I am a graduate of Bowling Green State University,  Magnificat High School,  and St. Christopher Elementary School.  I have been teaching fourth and fifth grade at St. James for 21 years.  My daughter and son attended St. James during those years.  I am proud to say that my family now includes my son-in-law, daughter-in-law and three grandsons.  I am a resident of the West Park area of Cleveland.

I am very happy to be a part of continuing the strong tradition of Catholic education in Lakewood.

Kimberly Smith

Hi!  I am Kimberly Smith and I teach 5th and 6th grade.  I have lived in Cleveland most of my life and currently live in the West Park area.  I am the product of 17 years of Catholic education!  I attended Annunciation and Ascension for grade school and Holy Name for high school.  I went on to Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

I started my career as a junior high Mathematics teacher for 2 years.   I taught at St. Luke’s for 4 years, working with 4th and 5th grade in Mathematics, Reading, and Science.  Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and my dog, Spencer.  I also enjoy reading, music and movies. 

Patricia Holmes

Hello! My name is Patricia Holmes and I am very excited to be teaching here at LCA.  I grew up in Westlake and currently reside with my husband in Fairview Park. I graduated with a BS in Middle Childhood Education in 2004 from BGSU and I am currently working on a Master’s Degree through Ashland University. 

After graduation from BGSU, I substitute taught for two years in Rocky River as well as working for Heinens and The Tutoring Club.  I am looking forward to the challenges of this coming year and I am very proud to be a part of the LCA community.

Cherie Joecken

Having been born and raised in Fairview Park, and a product of their schools, I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Akron.  I have been married to my husband, Ned, for 27 years, and I have three adult children. Previous to my teaching at St. Luke School, I taught sixth-grade social studies at St. Angela Merici in Fairview Park for five years.

After spending three years as a first-grade teacher, I have returned to my roots as a sixth-grade teacher at LCA. I am happy being a small piece of a whole group, as pat of a family in faith and community at Lakewood Catholic Academy.

Ashley Gabel

Hi! I am very excited about teaching Science at LCA. I graduated from the University of Dayton in 2006 with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Middle Childhood Mathematics and Science. I then continued to complete my Masters Degree in Administration from UD in August 2008.

Before coming to LCA, I taught 6th - 8th grade at St. Thomas Aquinas in Cleveland for 2 years. Outside of school I enjoy visiting my family in Toledo, attending sporting events, and movies.

Matt Tabar

I have taught sixth, seventh and eighth grade social studies and religion at St. Clement for the last 5 years.  I attended Ohio University and graduated with a Social Studies comprehensive degree (7-12) in education. I currently live in North Olmsted and I attended Olmsted Falls High School for my final two years.  I come from a family full of educators.  My grandmother taught physically handicapped children for over 25 years.  My mother and father both work for the Olmsted Falls Schools, as an administrator and guidance counselor respectively.  One of my sisters teaches 8th grade in the Lakewood Public School system and the other just graduated from Ohio University with a degree in early childhood.  My younger brother is studying education at Kent State. He is the first Tabar that did not attend Ohio University!

Kathy DiBiasio

I attended Nazareth Academy in Parma Heights and graduated from Cleveland State University with a bachelor's degree in education. I am currently enrolled in the Master of Religious Studies program at John Carroll University. I taught for ten years at St. Albert the Great School in North Royalton and for fifteen years at St. James School.  Most of my experience has been with grades five through eight. I am married and have a daughter who just graduated from the College of Wooster. My interests away from teaching include gardening, reading, and knitting.

I am pleased to be a part of the Lakewood Catholic Academy family.

Sue Seeds

Hi!  My name is Sue Seeds and I am delighted to be a part of Lakewood Catholic Academy. I have a B.S. Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University and have kept my license up-to-date through continuing education classes. Prior to joining LCA, I taught reading, as well as serving as co-principal of St. Clement School.  My passions are drama and reading and I love teaching my favorite classics.  I grew up in Lakewood and it remains my home.  I live with my husband, Dennis and we are the proud parents of two grown sons, Jeremy and Jonathan.

Amanda Podhradsky, Music

I am thrilled to be teaching at LCA as the general music teacher and choir director! After graduating from St. Joseph Academy, I earned my Bachelor's in Music Education from Bowling Green State University, and recently earned my Master's in Education. I am an active member of the National Council for Music Education and Ohio Music Educator's Association. Over the past several years, I have traveled, taught, and performed all over the country, from Colorado to North Carolina, with my husband, Steven, and our adorable dog, Obi-wan. When I am not teaching, I enjoy singing, everything from opera to jazz, dancing, going to the theater, trying new restaurants with my brother and friends, playing poker, cleaning, reading, working out, taking pictures, watching Cleveland Browns and OSU football games, spending time with family and friends, and shopping. I truly feel that I am meant to be at LCA and I continue to look forward to my future here!

"Bach gave us God's word. Mozart gave us God's laughter. Beethoven gave us God's fire. God gave us music that we might pray without words."

Jennifer Thies, Computer Studies

Hello! My name is Jennifer Thies. I am very excited to be a new member of the LCA community this year after two years of teaching Computer Education at St. Mel School and Our Lady of Good Counsel. I graduated from Slippery Rock University with a major in Elementary Education and have always had an interest in computers. My student teaching experience included an adventurous month in Dublin, Ireland in a second grade classroom.

I am originally from a small town called North East, Pennsylvania, which is in the Erie area. In the summer of 2002, I moved to the Cleveland area. I substitute taught for the Lakewood, Berea, and Shaker Heights School Districts in grades K-6, before teaching Computer Education.

My favorite sport to play is soccer. I have been playing soccer since the second grade, and continue to play in indoor leagues throughout the year. When I am not playing soccer, I take part in biking, golfing, and hiking in the Metroparks. Another thing I love to do is watch football games, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers. GO STEELERS!!!

Debbie Barlow, Art

I teach Art at Lakewood Catholic Academy. Prior to the founding of LCA, I had been the Art teacher at St. Luke School for the past four years. Prior to St. Luke's, I was a substitute teacher for the Lakewood Public Schools. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art History/Studio Art from Kent State University. In addition to teaching, I also work as a graphic designer for a marketing firm, designing for local and national clients.

Christine Dolce, Instrumental Music

Christine Dolce served as the instrumental music director at St. Luke School from1989 until the founding of LCA in 2005. Dolce holds a BME from Baldwin-Wallace as well as a Master of Music and a Master of Arts from Kent State , where she maintained a Faculty Brass Quintet performance assistantship.

For years, Mrs. Dolce played  trumpet professionally in the Cleveland area, frequently performing  at Playhouse Square and as a St. John’s Cathedral staff musician.    She also performed, composed, and arranged for the Cleveland Lyric Brass quartet, of which she was a founding member. She and her brass quartet have been in residence at Mercyhurst College in Erie , Pa. and have been OAC recitalists.  Dolce is currently the chairperson of the OMEA District 4 Honors Festival as well as its executive committee member representing private and parochial schools.

Mrs. Dolce’s educational goal is to achieve excellence through the love of music, while nurturing Catholic values.  She is delighted to be part of the LCA team and to teach more students to “play a joyful song unto the Lord.”

Edith Quimper, Spanish

¡Hola! ¿Qué tal? Soy Edith Quimper. I am Edith Quimper. I teach Spanish at LCA for students in grades five through eight.

I am from Lima, Peru. I went to a Catholic School, “C.E.P. Santa Anita,” where I studied from Kindergarten through high school.  I hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from “San Ignacio de Loyola” University in Peru. As a college student I had participated in the Junior Achievement program, which back then had recently arrived in Peru. I also taught English there. Definitely education touched me because while I was working for several years in the business area I continued teaching. When I arrived in America in 2005 I decided it was time for me to get my teaching certification in Spanish.

In my classes I try to develop abilities such as writing, listening to, reading and speaking in Spanish. The students also learn about Spanish speaking culture in countries around the world!

I strongly believe that education starts at home and continues at school. My two children – Erick, in grade seven, and Valerie, in preschool, are students at LCA. I am so happy and comfortable working here and being part of this great staff and community!

Marie Murphy, French

Bonjour!  I am very excited to be a part of the staff at LCA.  I retired from the Fairview Park Schools in 2007 after twenty-five years of teaching French and Spanish in grades 7 through 12.  My undergraduate studies took place at Ursuline College and Cleveland State University.  I also have a Master’s Degree in Education from Baldwin-Wallace College. 

I grew up in West Park and attended St. Patrick School and St. Joseph Academy.  My husband, Phil, and I have been married for 37 years and have been members of St. Luke Parish for all but three of those years, at which time we lived in St. James Parish.  My husband and both of our sons, Michael and Brian, are graduates of St. Luke and St. Ignatius.  I look forward to sharing my French heritage and my love of the French language with my students.

Linda McCafferty, Spanish

¡Hola!  Yo me llamo Señora McCafferty. My name is Linda McCafferty and it is my pleasure to teach Spanish in the Pre-K through 3rd grade classrooms.  I began teaching at LCA in the fall of 2006l and it has been a wonderful experience.  Our method of teaching is through play and repetition.  The students are immersed in the language while having fun.

Spanish was my first language at home as my family is from Puerto Rico.  I am a graduate of Miami University where a received a Bachelor of Science degree.  In addition to teaching at LCA, I teach 4th grade PSR at St. Raphael Church in Bay Village.  I am the proud parent of three children.

If you’re ever visiting LCA during the school day, I’d love to have you join in the class.

Marge Amberik, Physical Education

Hello! I hold a bachelor of science degree from Case Western Reserve University in Physical Education and Health.  I taught for four years in the Cleveland Public School System (high school) and for ten years at St. James Catholic Elementary School. I'm the mother of four children, and I enjoy tennis, reading, knitting, sewing and traveling. I am enjoying Lakewood Catholic Academy and working with the faculty, staff, parents and students.

Gretchen Petty, Physical Education

My name is Gretchen Petty.  Before joining LCA, I served as the Physical Education and Health teacher at St. Luke School.  Prior to teaching at St. Luke, I taught Physical Education and Health to high school students at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School for more than ten years.  Along with teaching at the high school, I was the Co-Athletic Director.  I am the mother of three children, and my hobbies include watching them play soccer! I am very excited to be a part of Lakewood Catholic Academy as a Physical Education and Health teacher.

Eileen Dorchak, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

After thirty five years of teaching Kindergarten, I retired from the faculty of L.C.A. Now I am back in the as the facilitator of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This program is presented, once a week, for the students from Pre K through Third Grade. In the calm and quiet of the Atrium, the children listen to a Scripture passage, meditate on The Word, and work with appropriate and attractive materials to extend their comprehension and appreciation for gifts God has given them. During the school year the children will become acquainted with the Liturgical Cycle, Prophesies and Parables, Baptism, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The youngest children will learn what Maria Montessori called “Practical Life Exercises” (sorting, pouring, sweeping, polishing etc.) using gestures and movements fitting to the religious content and service to others. Teachers and aides will foster independence, master of self and the environment and the ability to choose appropriate activities and use activity materials as “stewards” of their special space.

Since my “retirement” I am trying new things, like Tai Chi and gym work outs, in addition to my old favorites of walking, reading and doing crosswords.  It is great to have more time to spend with my husband, Tom and my grandchildren. All this and my new calling at L.C.A. so that I can continue to interact with the staff and children!