Meet Our Teachers
Upper School | Lower School | Specials
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I like teaching at St. Thomas the Apostle School for many reasons. The number one reason is the students’ willingness and enthusiasm to learn. I also enjoy the positive spirit of the staff. Another great attribute is the feeling of community throughout the halls. The respect the students show to their peers and teachers makes coming to STA everyday enjoyable.
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Kelly Mentus I am so excited to be part of the St. Thomas the Apostle School family. As a teacher, I am passionate about creating a rich learning environment where your children can grow
and thrive both spiritually and academically. Each day is an opportunity to instill a love of learning, pride and confidence in our students as we work together to unleash their potential. The students make me smile each day and are already teaching me important lessons about what it means to be a teacher. I am blessed to be at St. Thomas the Apostle and working with our parents, faculty and administration to
create a loving, joyful experience for our students and community as a whole. |
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 Kimberly Cellini Teacher, grade 3 Education: Albertus Magnus College, B.A. Saint Joseph College, M.Ed. (candidate) I like teaching at St. Thomas the Apostle School because of the students. I have had the opportunity to teach in the lower and upper schools. I taught in the Pre-Kindergarten program, and currently teach the third grade. The youngest students come to school eager to learn and always bring a smile to my face. The third grade students put their efforts into learning and have great potential. There is a lot joy in watching the students grow and accomplish amazing things every day! |
 Kathy Albert Teacher, grade 3 Education: University of Hartford, B.S. Central Connecticut State University, M.Ed.
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The caring, supportive environment is reflected in all the encounters you experience at STA. From the moment you enter the school there is a feeling of friendliness and respect for one another. The curriculum stresses the basics and provides for differential learning in all areas. The class size allows the teacher to provide individualized instruction to meet children’s needs. Technology is an important part of their education. As a product of Catholic education, I realize the importance of the spiritual aspect of a child’s education. The children are exposed throughout their daily activities to the importance of values and morals in order to live a good, productive life. This is an integral component to their education at STA and I feel privileged to be a part of this process. Being able to contribute to the growth and development of these children brings joy to me every day. |
 Ellen Camilli Teacher, grade 2 Education: Central Connecticut State University, B.A. Southern Connecticut State University, M.Ed Teaching at St. Thomas the Apostle School has been a rewarding experience. The rich curriculum permits me to create diverse learning experiences for my students in all subject areas. It also allows room for differentiating lessons to match the different learning styles of all children in the classroom. I also find that starting and ending the school day with a prayer helps to provide a respectful atmosphere throughout the school day. In addition, the supportive relationships my students’ families have fostered with me have been priceless! |
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Carol Reneson, I like teaching at St. Thomas the Apostle because we are a community of learners and teachers that continually support each other. I like the fact that we have a very current curriculum and integrate technology into all subjects. I love that we encourage our students to take risks as they learn and grow. I am proud to be a part of this school family that, not only teaches, but also encourages our students to be sharing, caring and loving people. God is our teacher and the inspiration for all of us here at St. Thomas the Apostle. |
Gloria Tracey, St. Thomas the Apostle School has been an integral part of my life for the past thirteen years. Parents and fellow teachers continue to support and inspire what I do in my classroom each day, but the children are who motivate me in my joy of teaching. Their love of God and enthusiasm for learning make each day exciting and full of wonder. My siblings and I often reminisce about our positive experiences, both academically and spiritually, from our elementary education in Catholic school. By teaching at STA I observe the students growing in the way we did, building those memories by learning and developing academically, and in their moral and spiritual growth. |
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 Amanda Padua Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten 4Education: Central Connecticut State University, B.S. St. Joseph College, M.Ed. (candidate) I love teaching at St. Thomas the Apostle School because we understand and do what is needed to help a child grow and learn. Staff members and families work together as a community to foster the lives and education of our students. Being a part of STA is like signing-up to be a part of an instant family. I am so amazed and heartfelt by the families here at STA through their support, devotion, and involvement in their child’s education. Being a teacher and catechist to children means teaching and nurturing to the whole child cognitively, physically, and spiritually. The students are a joy to work with; it is so amazing working with young children and watching them learn and grow each and every day. That special moment when a child masters a skill that he/she has been experiencing difficulty with is a remarkable moment. |
 Nicole Houlihan Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten 3 Education: Central Connecticut State University, B.A. When I began my first year at STA in 2009, I felt so welcome from my colleagues, families and (especially) my students. Working in Pre K has given me the gift of not only being many children’s first school experience, but also watching them grow so quickly and in wonderful ways. I love belonging to STA’s warm school community and connecting to the children that are a part of it!
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Working at St. Thomas the Apostle School gives me the opportunity to share my love of art with the students. We learn by doing. It is fun to duplicate the artwork of a famous artist with our own twist. I love to see the joy on my students’ face when they complete a project that they never thought they could do! Even better is the pride they feel when they see their art adorning the walls of the cafeteria. There is never a "wrong" answer in art which makes my job delightful!
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Janet Cashman Librarian Education: Fairfield University, B.A. Xavier University, M.Ed. I have been a part of the St. Thomas the Apostle School community as a parent for nine years, and now enjoy working with students in the library. Every day, I watch as our students devour books! They talk about books, read during breaks and listen intently as I read in class. I also enjoy witnessing our students as they learn to love one another and work in community. They help each other and practice reaching out to those in need. I hear them ask questions, offer prayers and work together. Each day, I say a prayer of thanksgiving that my children have been able to learn in this loving environment and that I have the privilege of working here. |
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 Mary DeGostin Piano teacher Education: Brown University, B.Mus. Central Connecticut State University, M.S. (candidate) I love the commitment to music at St. Thomas the Apostle School: it is valued not only for art's sake, but because it was created by God for human expression, especially of praise and worship. I have felt welcomed into a true community of faith which seeks to develop not only the minds, but the hearts and character of its students. The staff is caring and peaceful, nourishing children to have open, positive attitudes about learning, and to be respectful without being fearful. It is evident that the children know they are loved, and are secure in their expectation of being loved, even when they make mistakes. They are not afraid of trying something new even if they don't get it the first time, but will keep at it until they get it right. The joy on their faces when they master a new challenge gives just as much joy to me as their teacher, and makes teaching here a very rewarding experience.
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 Joshua Wilbur Music Director Education: University of Hartford, B.Mus. I love the energy of St. Thomas the Apostle School! As soon as you step through the doors, you know that we really are a school family. It's such a joy to see our youngest students grow year after year, taking on new responsibilities each step of the way, and finally becoming the "leaders" of our school in fifth grade. In Music class, I'm greeted each week with eagerness and enthusiasm to learn something new. No two days are ever the same! All of this makes my job one of the best in the world. |
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Senora Katzman I am looking forward to getting to know and working with the bright, energetic students at St. Thomas the Apostle, while sharing my excitement and passion about the Spanish language and various Spanish cultural traditions! |
Darlene FitzGerald I feel so excited, blessed and grateful to be joining the STA community as both an educator and parent of a pre-school student. I have been involved in Catholic education for the past five years and am eager to help nurture and foster growth in many areas of student development including academic, social, and spiritual. As the year unfolds, I look forward to working with students individually, in small groups and in classroom settings. |
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 Robert Green I like the students at our school. They are smart,
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