ST. DOMINIC SCHOOL FACULTY & STAFF
Our dynamic, state-certified, highly trained staff is dedicated to supporting the development of all children. Currently, 34% of our staff members have masters degrees. A close-knit, supportive work place and continuing opportunities for professional development have made ours a highly desirable work environment, meaning that staff turnover is low and the sense of stability and tradition runs throughout.
In addition to a principal and assistant principal, our staff features:
- twelve full-time and seven part-time teachers
- ten support staff
- math and reading tutors
- a school nurse
- a certified dietician
Fr. Tom Fanta, Pastor:
Fr. Tom has been the pastor of St. Dominic Church since 2001. He received a BS in Business Administration from John Carroll University and a Master of Divinity from St. Mary Seminary.
Mrs. Sue Biggs, Principal:
After graduating from the University of Akron, Mrs. Biggs started her teaching career in early childhood education. Once she felt her four children were old enough, she ventured out into the world of elementary education. She spent a few years teaching in the Cleveland Public Schools, the North Olmsted City Schools and even spent a year teaching computer skills to other school districts and businesses.
After being offered a teaching position in one of the Diocesan schools, she knew she had found her place. The presence of faith in the school day brought teaching to a level of fulfillment that she had not experienced anywhere else. Her educational path has led her to St. Dominic School, the treasure of Shaker Heights. Mrs. Biggs feels privileged to be a part of this school community and knows that anyone who visits will see for themselves what a special school family we have at St. Dominic.
Mrs. Elona Gortz, Administrative Assistant:
Elona Gortz, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is delighted to ‘take the helm’ as St. Dominic’s new Administrative Assistant. Prior to this position she served as a Development Professional with a private all-girls school. Working in non-profits most of her career, she brings a background of organization, friend / fund-raising, historical research, creativity and diplomatic skills, as well as a pure enthusiasm for our children and the life changing power of education. She welcomes the opportunity to be part of a collaborative community enhancing, and empowering St. Dominic students.
She and her husband reside in University Heights and are active members of Gesu Parish. They have a son in New York City, and a son and daughter-in-law in Cleveland.
Miss Jackie Kennedy, Assistant Principal and Physical Education Teacher:
Miss Kennedy has been at St. Dominic since 2000 as a Physical Education teacher and recently as the assistant Principal. She received her BS in Physical Education K-12 from Kent State University and recently completed her Masters in Health Education. She spent time at St. Rita’s School in Solon before coming to SDS. Miss Kennedy has also taught Martial Arts for over twenty years. She enjoys teaching at SDS because she likes the fact that we are teaching the students that the needs of others are also important.
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Mrs. Emily Mount, Kindergarten Teacher:
This is Mrs. Mount's first year teaching at St. Dominic School. She is new to the Cleveland area having most recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education with a Master's degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Mount received her undergraduate degree in Economics and Italian from the University of Notre Dame. She is excited to teach Kindergarten at St. Dominic School and become a part of the tight-knit St. Dominic's community. Mrs. Mount hopes to help her students develop a love of learning that will last them a lifetime.
Mrs. Nancy Stovicek, Kindergarten Assistant:
Mrs. Stovicek received a BA in Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Akron in 1985. She has been a parishioner since 1989. Her dedication to the school and parish is evident in her spirit of volunteerism. She has been a coach, a cafeteria volunteer, a costume designer for the St. Patrick’s Day Show, a member of the Art and Environment Committee, and a substitute teacher. Mrs. Stovicek joined the staff in 2003 as the Kindergarten Aide until 2005 when her family moved to Virginia. She rejoined the staff in 2008 when her family moved back to Cleveland and resumed her role as Kindergarten Aide. Mrs. Stovicek says she is happiest when she can contribute to the success of our students.
Miss Jody Prosser, Grade 1:
Miss Prosser just celebrated her 26th year teaching first grade at St. Dominic School. She received a BS in Special Education K-12, and a BS in Elementary Education 1-8 at Miami University of Ohio. Miss Prosser is a St. Dominic School graduate. She is teaching at St. Dominic School because she has fond memories of her elementary school days led by well educated, professional, and caring men and women. Miss Prosser feels compelled to do the same for others.
Mrs. Deb Larocca, Grade 2:
Mrs. Larocca first was at St. Dominic School from 1975 until 1978, teaching third grade. She was rehired in May of 1979 and has been teaching second grade ever since. She received a BA from Nazareth College of Rochester and a Masters of Education from John Carroll University. From 1978-1979 she taught first grade at Chambers Elementary School in East Cleveland, and during the summers from 1992-1996 she set up and taught the art program at Rainbow Camp, St. Augustine Parish in Tremont. Mrs. Larocca is at St. Dominic School because “I believe strongly in Catholic education and this is my parish. I enjoy working with primary age children and every day is different when you teach!”
Miss Ann Taddeo, Grade 3:
Miss Taddeo is our 3rd grade teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Xavier University and a Masters of Education with a Reading Endorsement from John Carroll University. Most of her experience is with fifth grade, which she taught for six years, and kindergarten, which she taught for three years. Miss Taddeo started teaching at St. Dominic in 2010 as the 4th grade teacher. She taught several years in Cincinnati, and is happy to be back in her hometown where she is excited to be a part of St. Dominic School.
Mrs. Julie Pastore, Grade 4:
Mrs. Pastore spent two years teaching kindergarten at St. Dominic School and now she has moved to our 4th grade. She is a St. Dominic parishioner and parent of Katy in grade 8 and Sophia in grade 5. Mrs. Pastore holds a BS degree in Elementary Education from Miami University and a Masters of Elementary Education with a Reading Specialist Certification. She has previously taught for six years in Michigan and Pennsylvania, and has tutored and subbed, including here at St. Dominic. When asked about teaching here, she responded, “I believe children benefit from a learning environment that consists of strong academics, faith, values, and a sense of community.”
Mrs. Jane Karolczak, Grade 5:
Mrs. Karolczak started teaching fifth grade at St. Dominic School in August 2006. She started her studies at the University of Wisconsin- Madison and earned her degree at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, WI. Mrs. Karolczak had relocated many times with her family before coming to Shaker Heights and settling into her eighth house. She has taught in many capacities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Connecticut, and Ohio. She is at St. Dominic School because “This is my parish. I sent my children through St. Dominic School and was so impressed with the high academic expectations of the teachers along with the nurturing and well-disciplined classroom settings. I believe in SDS.”
Miss Carrie Caspio, Grade 6 Homeroom and Religion, Grades 5-8 Math:
Miss Caspio began her teaching career at St. Dominic School in 2006. She received a degree in Middle Childhood Education – Math and Science – from the University of Dayton and is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Environmental Science. Her expertise in math and love for science give her the opportunity to provide the students with real-world applications.
Mrs. Barb Kooser, Grade 7 Homeroom and Religion, Grades 6-8 Science, Grade 6 Language Arts:
Mrs. Kooser is our junior high science teacher. She has been a member of the parish since 1999. Mrs. Kooser has a BS in biology from Westminster College and MS in Environmental Science from the Ohio State University. For over 20 years she worked as a scientist in jobs ranging from water quality modeling and analysis at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; policy analysis, education and advocacy at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; and natural areas management and science education at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Her training for her teaching certificate came from the University of Findlay in a one year accelerated program to take scientists into the field of education. She comes to St. Dominic School after completing two years as sixth grade homeroom and grades 5 through 8 science teacher at St. Rocco School in Cleveland.
Mrs. Maureen Covington, Grade 8 Homeroom and Religion, Grades 7-8 Language Arts, 7-8 Social Studies:
Mrs. Covington has taught at St. Dominic School since 2002 and is a lifelong parishioner. She received her B.A. in English from Boston College and an M Ed from John Carroll University. Mrs. Covington also coaches the Power of the Pen writing team and is the faculty advisor for the student newspaper – The Bulldog Beacon. As a teacher and parent of St. Dominic School students, Mrs. Covington has seen how children are able to grow and learn in a nurturing, yet academically challenging environment.
Mrs. Monica Steiner, Grades K-2 Spanish:
Senora Monica began teaching Spanish at St. Dominic in the fall of 2006. She earned a Bachelor of Arts at John Carroll University and has taught Spanish at several other preschools and early childhood centers in the area. Her goal for the year is to “share my love and appreciation for the Spanish language and to provide an environment for the students to have fun speaking, singing, and praying in Spanish”. Mrs. Steiner is also the mother of Isaiah in grade 5, Grace in grade 8, and baby Lauren. She and her husband, Ted, share a love of service work which includes annual mission trips to places like Mexico. Their children join them as they help at an orphanage called Pilar de Esperanza.
Ms. Juana Cuervo , Grades 3-8 Spanish:
Mrs. Cuervo began the school year as she means to continue: speaking Spanish. “Although Spanish will be the children’s second language, I want them to learn it the way we learn a first language – through seeing an image, and learning the correct word, not simply translating English sentences into Spanish.” Originally from Bogata, Columbia, Mrs. Cuervo has been living in Cleveland for 17 years, and has been teaching for 5 years. She has a teaching certificate from University of Akron and a Master’s Degree in Multiculture and Education from John Carroll, and has previously taught Spanish at Beaumont School, and Cleveland Central Catholic. This will be her first opportunity to teach children at the primary level, “In elementary school, the window of learning is open, and the possibilities are great. I am thrilled to be here, and to be working with these wonderful students.”
Ms. Robin Brian, Music
Robin Brian is Director of Elementary and Middle School General Music and the All School St. Patrick's Day Show. Ms. Brian is master drummer and founding director of St. Dominic's Desert Fire Drumming Ensemble and teaches private piano lessons to SDS students after school as well. She is a mentor teacher and presenter in Arts and Music Integration, Director of Music Builders Summer Enrichment Camp at the Cleveland Music Settlement, and on the Execuite Board of the Cleveland Chapter of teh American Orff-Schulwerk Association. Ms. Brian has taught vocal and instrumental music since 1985, and has earned Levels 1 and II certificates in Orff-Schulwerk musci education from Cleveland State University and a BA in Music Education from Olivet College.
Mr. William Tennant, Band
Mr. Tennant, Instrumental Music Director, was hired in July of 2003 to begin a piano lesson program and to take over as band director. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music in music theory and a Master of Music degree in Education from the University of Akron. Mr. Tennant holds the highly qualified teacher status with the Ohio Department of Education along with the State of Ohio “professional license”. Mr. Tennant has additional studies in the Kodaly, Orff, and Dalcroze methods of instruction, and was one of the first 52 original teachers to earn certification in the Roots of Rhythm method, worldwide. Since 1997 Mr. Tennant has been on faculty with the Cleveland Institute of Music, and previously taught at Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music in the preparatory departments.
Bill performs regularly in the clarinet section for The Cleveland Winds, as a freelance artist/chamber musician, and has performed in Severance Hall, PNC Bank Recital Hall, Kulas Hall, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, and several area churches and musical theaters. Tennant is also the founder and clarinetist of the North Coast Winds, a professional woodwind quintet residing here in Northern Ohio.
Tennant has been included in The National Dean’s List, Who’s Who in America, Marquis Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Professionals and Executives, Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, and is a recipient of the National All-American Scholar Award and the Eagle Scout Award with the Boy Scouts of America. Some of Bill’s professional memberships include MENC, OMEA, NESA, OA, ODK, MFE, and the OAAE, among others.
Mrs. Deb Mikulski, Art:
Mrs. Mikulski has been at St. Dominic School since 1994. She has a Commercial Art in Business and Sociology degree from Cuyahoga Community College and a degree in K-12 Visual Arts Education from Ursuline College. She spent 12 years teaching at her alma mater St. Mary School in Bedford until they closed their doors in 2004.
Mrs. Mikulski loves making many forms of art; calligraphy, ceramics, print- making, painting, wood working and mosaics. She also took a blacksmithing class and loves to manipulate metals and jewelry-making. Swimming has also been a lifelong obsession, as she coached summer swim team for 10 years. Family is very important. The Mikulski’s have four children and four grandchildren so a lot of art activities are done together. Mrs. Mikulski feels St. Dominic School and community are her extended family and hopes she makes a difference.
Mrs. Laura Boone, Technology:
Mrs. Laura Boone joined the St. Dominic staff in 2010 as the school’s technology coordinator and K-8 technology class instructor. She holds an MBA, a BS in Economics, and is currently studying Instructional Design at Kent State University. Additionally, Mrs. Boone brings to her classroom 8 years of teaching and 10 years of corporate experience upon which she draws to help students develop the skills they will need to live Christ centered lives in a technology rich world. While not working at SDS, Mrs. Boone is kept busy spending time with her husband and two sons. A strong believer in ensuring students gain the skills they need to succeed, her classroom is focused on teaching 21st century skills ranging from keyboarding to cloud computing, with instruction beginning in the kindergarten year. She models 21st century skills and keeps communication open through the use of her classroom website, SDS Technology.
Mrs. Chris Cook, Library:
Mrs. Cook is beginning her third year in the library this fall. She is the mother of Adam, in grade 5, and of Caity, a recent St. Dominic School graduate. Mrs. Cook and her family have been St. Dominic parishioners for 8 years. She holds a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from Penn State. She is excited about all the changes that are occurring at St. Dominic and is looking forward to sharing her love of reading with your children.
Mrs. Gigi Harrison, Marketing and Communications:
Gigi Harrison joined the staff in the spring of 2010 to help us communicate the many benefits of our school, both to our current families, and to potential new ones. An alumna of St. Dominic herself, Mrs. Harrison has a BA from the University of Virginia and more than 20 years of marketing and public relations experience. She has great passion for St. Dominic and has been implementing many creative ideas to help the school prosper and grow. She is mother of two St. Dominic student; Andrea in grade 3, and Caroline in kindergarten as well as up-and-coming sibling Ian.
Mr. Robert Batch, After Care Director:
Mr. Batch came to St. Dominic in January of 2007. He attended the University of Toledo and is a graduate of Benedictine High School. He is in charge of the SDS Aftercare program. Mr. Batch is often considered “Mr. Everything” because of all the things he does for the St. Dominic Community.”The kids are my everything. They are what makes working here such a blessing”.
Mrs. Nancy Bogart, Cafeteria Manager:
Mrs. Bogart joined the staff in August of 2009 and is our cafeteria manager. She earned a BA degree from Ohio University. She worked in all areas of the food service department of the Euclid Public Schools for six years before joining us here at St. Dominic School. Her goal is to provide nourishing and healthy meals that taste great!
Mrs. Kim Paduano, Cafeteria Assistant:
Mrs. Kim Paduano joined St. Dominic School in the fall of 2008 as the Pre-K aide and now is the cafeteria assistant. She also works in the SDS Aftercare Program. She is the mother of Dylan in grade 8 and of a 2000 graduate of St. Dominic as well as being a parishioner. Mrs. Paduano enjoys being at St. Dominic because “I love being around the children and to help them in any way I can. It is a joy to watch them grow into such fine young people. St. Dominic is such a caring and happy place with a nurturing environment – such a precious gem to behold and to watch how it shines.”
Mrs. Maureen Amaddio, Nurse:
Mrs. Amaddio is a well-known face in the nurse’s office and has officially been on staff since the fall of 2006. She received a BSN from the University of Akron. She was with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation for 12 years and was a manager for the Visiting Nurses Association for one year. She is at St. Dominic because “I love working with the kids and watching them grow!”
Mrs. Jaci Berger, Remedial Tutor for Reading and Math:
Mrs. Berger came to St. Dominic School in August of 2007. A highly motivated and dedicated teacher, she earned a BA from Baldwin-Wallace College, an MA from Kent State University and an MA in Education from Ursuline College.
Miss Dori Laszlo, Aide:
Miss Laszlo has been at St. Dominic School since 2005. She received a BA from Cleveland State University. She was a private tutor for two years before coming to St. Dominic. She is here because she feels blessed to be able to make a difference in children’s lives. Working in a community that puts God in the center is a privilege and puts a smile on her face every day. Miss Laszlo believes that being able to work among children is the greatest joy in life.
Mrs. Kathy Heyka, Auxiliary Clerk:
Mrs. Heyka has been our clerk since 2000. She earned a BS from Wayne State University. Mrs. Heyka, her husband, and their four children have been parishioners at St. Dominic for 26 years.
Mr. Chuck Hollesh , Custodian
Mr. Dan Best, Custodian
Mrs. Maria Keohane, Director of Religious Education
Mr. Russ Petrus, Pastoral Associate
