Faculty and Staff
Our faculty is the heartbeat of our school, bringing passion, expertise, and dedication to our classrooms. As mentors and role models, they form our students' moral development in virtue and character.
The Robert P. Blume M.D. Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes Aquinas Academy faculty members who have had a transformative and enduring impact on our students' intellectual and moral development.
Miss Madeline Amon
3rd Grade Teacher
B.S., Grove City College
M.S.Ed., Clemson University
M.S.Ed., Clemson University
Mr. Joseph Austin
Director of Admissions
BS, Wheaton College
MS, Fordham University
MS, Fordham University
Mrs. Patricia Blume
1st Grade Teacher
B.A., Christendom College
P '06, '09, '11, '11, '14, '17, '19, '22
GP '35, '37, '38, '39, '40
Mr. Peter Blume Esq.
President, History Teacher
B.A., Yale University
J.D., University of Notre Dame
J.D., University of Notre Dame
Mr. Brady Buchanan
Art Teacher
B.F.A., Carnegie Mellon University
B.S.A.E., Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
B.S.A.E., Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Mr. Michael Burchill
Assistant Head of School, Catechesis Teacher
B.S., University of Maryland
M.Div., St. Vincent Seminary
M.Div., St. Vincent Seminary
Mrs. Sharon Burchill
Choir Director
B.S., Duquesne University
M.M.Ed., Duquesne University
M.M.Ed., Duquesne University
Mrs. Jenny Chufo
3rd Grade Teacher
B.A., Marymount University
M.A.T., University of Pittsburgh
M.A.T., University of Pittsburgh
Mrs. Sharon Ciummo
Preschool Director, Preschool Teacher
B.A., Carlow University
M.A., Carlow University
M.A., Carlow University
Mrs. Nicole Crawford
Math Teacher
B.S., The Pennsylvania State University
Mr. Colton Croskey
Band Director
B.M.E., Grove City College
Mr. Tyler Deschamps '08
Class of 2008
Head of School, Theology Teacher
B.A., Franciscan University
M.T.S., Duke University
M.S., Carnegie Mellon University
M.B.A., Carnegie Mellon University
M.T.S., Duke University
M.S., Carnegie Mellon University
M.B.A., Carnegie Mellon University
Ms. Mary Dill
Science Dept. Chair, Science Teacher
B.S., The Pennsylvania State University
M.S., University of Pennsylvania
Grad. Diploma, Brisbane College of Advanced Education
M.S., University of Pennsylvania
Grad. Diploma, Brisbane College of Advanced Education
Mrs. Aimee Engleka
5th Grade Teacher
B.A., Westminster College
M.S. Ed., Duquesne University
M.S. Ed., Duquesne University
Ms. Jenny Fetchko
Art Teacher
B.A., St. Mary's College
M.A., University of Michigan
M.A., University of Michigan
Miss Sarah Fiorina
2nd Grade Teacher
B.S., Duquesne University
Mr. Will Fitzgerald '09
Class of 2009
Director of Development and Alumni Relations
B.S., St. Vincent College
Mrs. Heather Flynn
English Teacher
B.A., Mount Holyoke College
Mr. Michael Flynn
History Teacher, Geography Teacher, Theater Director
B.F.A., University of Bridgeport
Mr. Ryan Gracey
Science Teacher
B.S., Robert Morris University
M.Ed., Robert Morris University
M.Ed., Robert Morris University
Mr. Mark Grobaker
Speech and Debate Instructor
B.S.E., Princeton University
M.I.S.M, Carnegie Mellon University
M.I.S.M, Carnegie Mellon University
Mrs. Carolyn Guillen
Kindergarten Teacher
B.A., University of Richmond
Mrs. Kathleen Hardy
Science Teacher
B.A., Seton Hill College
M.A., University of Pittsburgh
M.A., University of Pittsburgh
Mrs. Maria Hayden
Reading specialist
B.A., Duquesne University
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
Mrs. Mary Heagy
Music Teacher
B.S., Duquesne University
Mrs. Danielle Heffern
Modern Language Dept. Chari, Spanish Teacher
B.A., University of Pittsburgh
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
Mrs. Elizabeth Heisler
Kindergarten Teacher
B.A., Rivier College
Ms. Hannah Hirst
1st Grade Teacher
B.A., Duquesne University
M.A., Duquesne University
M.A., Duquesne University
Mr. Tim Hunsberger
Computer Science Dept. Chair, Computer Science Teacher
B.S., University of Pittsburgh
M.S., State University of New York
M.S., State University of New York
Mrs. Karen Januck
Administrative Assistant
B.S., Duquesne University
Mrs. Ellen Kaffenes
Chemistry Teacher
B.A., Duke University
M.B.A., University of Chicago
M.Ed., Slippery Rock University
M.B.A., University of Chicago
M.Ed., Slippery Rock University
Ms. Brenda Kostial
4th Grade Teacher
B.S., Robert Morris University
M.Ed., Gannon University
M.Ed., Gannon University
Mr. James Kuniega
Theology Teacher, Latin Teacher
M.A, Christendom College
B.A., St. Vincent College
St. Vincent College
B.A., St. Vincent College
St. Vincent College
Mr. Andrew Kurzawski
Theology Teacher
B.A., St. John's University
M.Div., St. Vincent College
M.Ed., Point Park University
M.Div., St. Vincent College
M.Ed., Point Park University
Miss Elena Liguori '16
Class of 2016
Science Teacher
B.S., University of Pittsburgh
M.S., University of Pittsburgh
M.S., University of Pittsburgh
Mrs. Laurie Lynch
Spanish Teacher
B.A., Allegheny College
B.A., Duquesne University
B.A., Duquesne University
Mr. Evan Malchano
History Dept. Chair, History Teacher
B.A., Franciscan University
M.Ed., Franciscan University
M.Ed., Franciscan University
Mrs. Dorina Manolache
Physics Teacher
B.S., Alexandru Ioan Cuza University
M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh
M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh
Ms. Allison McGrath
English Teacher
B.A., Grove City College
M.Ed., Duquesne University
M.Ed., Duquesne University
Miss Samantha McGrath
5th Grade Teacher
B.S., Duquesne University
Mr. Richard Meland
Director of Sacred Liturgy, Latin Dept. Chair
B.S., University of Florida
M.A., Boston College
M.A., Boston College
Mrs. Rosemary Meland
Theology Dept. Chair, Theology Teacher
B.A., College of the Holy Cross
Former PhD Candidate, Theology, Boston College
Former PhD Candidate, Theology, Boston College
Ms. Janelle Miller
4th Grade Teacher
B.S., Duquesne University
M.S. Ed., Gannon University
M.S. Ed., Gannon University
Mrs. Leslie Mitros
Math Teacher
B.A., St. Mary's College
M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh
M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh
Mrs. Melissa Mlecko
Director of Information Systems
Mrs. Rita Mueller
First Grade Aide
B.A., La Roche College
M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh
M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh
Mrs. Laura Mullican
English Dept. Chair, English Teacher
B.A., St. Vincent College
M.A., Marquette Universtiy
M.A., Marquette Universtiy
Mr. Joseph Murray
Middle School Director, Catechesis Teacher
B.A., Franciscan University
M.A., John Paul the Great Catholic University
M.A., John Paul the Great Catholic University
Mrs. Sharon Navari
Catechist
B.A., Seton Hill College
Mrs. Suzanne Principe
2nd Grade Teacher
B.S.Ed., Clarion University of PA
Masters credits, ECE, Carlow College
Masters credits, ECE, Carlow College
Mrs. Michelle Repasky
Lower School Director, Fifth Grade Teacher
B.S., Duquesne University
Miss Catherine Richthammer '20
Class of 2020
PreK Aide
B.A., Franciscan University of Steubenville
Mr. Jim Richthammer
Assistant Athletic Director
B.S., Wheeling Jesuit University
M.Ed., Franciscan University of Steubenville
M.Ed., Franciscan University of Steubenville
Mrs. Joan Roth
Kindergarten Aide
B.S., Duquesne University
Mrs. Jessica Salinas '05
Class of 2005
Digital Media Manager
Mr. Nicholas Salinas
High School Director, Latin Teacher
B.A., Saint Louis University
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
Mrs. Maureen Sibenac
Math Teacher
B.A., Duquesne University
B.S., Duquesne University
M.S. Ed., Duquesne University
B.S., Duquesne University
M.S. Ed., Duquesne University
Mrs. Janine Solomond
French Teacher
B.A., Grove City College
Mr. Noah Thornburgh
English Teacher
B.A., Northern Illinois University
Mr. Craig Volkwein
Math Dept. Chair, Math Teacher
B.A., Duquesne University
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
Mrs. Sara Whetzel
Assistant Head of School, English Teacher
B.A., Wake Forest University
J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law
M.B.A., Case Western Reserve University
J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law
M.B.A., Case Western Reserve University
Ms. Clare Young
Latin Teacher
B.A., Franciscan University of Steubenville