Faculty & Staff
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Classroom Teachers
Mrs. Danielle Harris
Preschool Teacher
Contact: dharris@stmatthew-school.org
Education: B.S. in Elementary Education, Penn State University
Experience: Saint Matthew Catholic School – 23 years of Preschool and Reading/Spelling for Grades 3-6
Diocesan Mentor Teacher: 2 years
Master Catechist
Favorite Quote: “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey.”
Favorite Bible Verse: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God, is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
Ms. Taylor Curry
Kindergarten Teacher
Contact: tcurry@stmatthew-school.org
Education:
B.S. in Early Childhood & Elementary Education, Penn State University
Minor in Special Education
Experience:
Kindergarten Teacher, Saint Matthew School (1 year)
Substitute Teacher/Summer Academy Teacher, Bellwood Antis School District
Favorite Quote: “Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.” ~Maria Montessori
Favorite Bible Verse: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Mrs. Jennifer Casanave
1st Grade Teacher
Contact: jcasanave@stmatthew-school.org
Education:
B.S. in Elementary Education, Penn State University
Masters coursework completed in Language and Literacy, Penn State University
Experience:
Saint Matthew School (23 years)
1st Grade (21 years)
3rd/4th Grade (2 years)
Substitute Teacher, Altoona/Hollidaysburg/Bellwood School Districts (4 years)
Diocesan Mentor Teacher (3 years)
Master Catechist
Favorite Quote: “The more that you read, the more that you’ll know; the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!” ~Dr. Seuss
Favorite Bible Verse: “Be still and know that I am always with you.“
Ms. Abby Zeek
2nd Grade Teacher
Educational Background:
B.S in Early Childhood Education, Elizabethtown College
Experience:
Hollidaysburg and Tyrone Area School Districts
Favorite Quote: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” Dr. Seuss
Favorite Bible Verse: “Do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Mrs. Deborah Hewitt
3rd/4th Grade Teacher
Contact: dhewitt@stmatthew-school.org
Education:
B.A. in Human Development Youth and Family Study
Minor in Psychology
PA Certificate Early Education Nursery/Kindergarten.
Experience:
Garment Factory 9 years, School bus driver 10 years, Therapeutic Staff Support 1 1/2 year, Head Start/Home Visitor Teacher 10 years, Case Manager for halfway house re-entrants from prison 8 years, present career path Saint Matthew School 3rd and 6th grade Teacher.
Favorite Verse: “No one can choose your mountain or tell you when to climb… It’s yours alone to challenge at your own pace and time.” – Patricia J. Hacker-Harber
Favorite Bible Verse: O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
-Psalm 30:12
Patty Fabinyi
Music Teacher
Educational Background:
B.S. in Music Education from PSU, with a vocal emphasis
Experience:
Music Teacher at St. Patrick and at St. Matthew Schools
Kindermusik Instructor
Blair Concert Chorale Children’s Choir Director
Organist, First Church of the Brethren
Favorite Quote: “There’s music in every child, and it’s my job to find and nurture it!”
Mary Jane Rudakewich
Librarian
Educational Background:
S. in Library Science ,Clarion State College
Experience:
Elementary librarian for Tyrone Area School District for 38 years
Volunteer and former part time staff member at the Tyrone Snyder Public Library
Favorite Quote: “Think before you speak. Read before you think.” – Fran Lebowitz
Reverend Father Jozef Kovacik
Pastor and School Administrator
Country of birth: SLOVAKIA
Came to the USA: July 18, 1994
Ordained Deacon: May 24, 1997
Ordained Priest: May 30, 1998
Became a citizen of the USA: December 7, 2005
Education:
Saint Francis Seminary, SLOVAKIA
Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, PA
Experience:
Deacon at Good Shepherd Church, State College, PA
Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, PA
Parochial Vicar at Saint. Benedict Church, Johnstown, PA
Parochial Administrator at Most Holy Trinity Church, Huntingdon, PA
Parochial Administrator at Saint Joseph Church, Bellwood,
Pastor of Saint Agnes Church, Lock Haven, PA
Pastor of Saint Matthew Church, Tyrone, PA
Favorite Quote: “Life is a chance to love.”
Favorite Bible Verse: Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. -John 8:7
Support Staff
Sara Wagner
Reading Teacher/Reading Specialist
Educational Background:
M.Ed of Reading with Reading Specialist K-12 Certification, Edinboro University
B.S. Elementary Education, Mansfield University
Experience:
Reading Teacher & Interventionist K-4- 11 years
Instructional Support Teacher K-6 – 2 years
Middle School Reading Teacher Grades 7-8- 3 years
Itinerant Learning Support Teacher K-12- 2 years
3rd Grade Teacher- 2 years
Dawn Mellott
Act 89 Mathematics Specialist
Educational Background:
BA from St. Francis University in Mathematics, Minor in Physics
BS from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Secondary Mathematics Education
Additional Certificate in General Science 7-12
Experience:
Instructor for the IU8 for 25 years
18 years of Alternative Education and 8th year in the Act 89 Programs
Favorite Quote: “The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow”
Emily Deemer
School Counselor
Educational Background:
Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Penn State
Bachelor degree from Dickinson College
Experience:
School Counselor for the IU8 since 2008
Favorite Quote: “Believe you can and you are halfway there” – Teddy Roosevelt
Roberta Woomer
Reading and Math Support Teacher and Librarian Support Teacher
Educational Background:
B.S in Elementary and Special Education, Lock Haven University
Experience:
Special Education Teacher, 36 years
SCI Huntingdon Prison Adult Education Instructor
Prison Ministry Volunteer Rockview and Benner State Prisons
Favorite Bible Verse: “Let all you do be done love.” 1 Corinthian 16:14
Testimonial:
Our vision and purpose in life should be to love one another as God loves us. God puts us where He wants us in our lives, and this has been a blessing to have the opportunity to make a difference at St. Matthew School. I learn something new during each encounter with the students. It has been a Win-Win situation each and every day.
Steven Stoner
Educational Enrichment Instructor
Educational Background:
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Supervision, University of Pittsburgh
B.S. in Special Education and Elementary Education, Kutztown University
Experience:
Sixth Grade Teacher, Tyrone Area School District
Study Skills and Support, Grier School
Third Grade Gifted Teacher, Altoona Area School District
Academic and Life Skills Teacher, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite Quote: “It isn’t hard to be good from time to time in sports. What is tough, is being good every day.” Willie Mays
Favorite Bible Verse: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Facility Staff
Ralph Stimer
Saint Matthew School Janitor
Testimonial:
What I love about Saint Matthew is being part of a team doing what I can to help the school and the students. The joy of being able to observe some of what the children are learning and their achievements throughout the year and the love and smiles they share with me each day are the best parts of my job.
Favorite Quote: “Smile, God loves you!”
Mark Dietze
Saint Matthew School and Church Maintenance Supervisor
Testimonial:
We take pride in keeping our school campus clean, safe, and attractive for the students and staff. Having the students greet me in the halls or cafeteria is the best part of the day.