Faculty and Staff
Staff
The administrative team at SCA is deeply committed to fostering a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to grow academically and spiritually. Their leadership exemplifies the values of compassion, integrity, and service, setting an example for our STARS to become responsible and caring individuals.
Bio
BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah
MBA, Ashland University
20 years of business experience
14 years at SCA
She has lived in seven countries on four continents!
Bio
Education
BA in Chemistry, Kalamazoo College
MA in Curriculum & Instruction, The University of Detroit
Teaching Experience:
36 years in Catholic, girl’s education
5th year at SCA
Ms. Hehs is our Varsity Tennis Coach and has 38 years seasons coaching high school tennis!
Fun fact: Judy is officially a Hungarian national, having filed for citizenship based on her ancestral connection to Hungary (both parents were citizens of Hungary before fleeing to the United States).
Bio
BA in American Studies, University of Notre Dame
Masters in Education, University of Notre Dame
21 years in education
4th year at SCA
In his younger years, he had a short boxing career!
Bio
Carlos Calderon, CMAA
BS in Sport Management, Southern New Hampshire University
Masters in Science in Education in Athletic Administration, University of Miami
Certified Master Athletic Administrator, National Athletic Administrators Association
13 years in education
5th year at SCA
Carlos won the CHSL Tom Kelly Athletic Director of the year in 2022!
He taught ESL for eight years for grades K-1!
Bio
BA in Political Science, Texas State University
10 years business experience
5th year at SCA
Fun Fact - She has an entire room in her house dedicated to her home state of Texas!
Bio
Education: BA in Economics, Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Experience: 4th year working at SCA but I’ve been involved in the school for 13 years.
Fun Fact! I have three beautiful SCA graduates. 16’, 19’ and 21’ I love to travel, garden and cook.
Bio
BA in Psychology, Oakland University
Master of Arts in Counseling, Oakland University
Licensed School Counselor
National Certified Counselor certification in school counseling (NCC)
17 years in education
11 years at SCA
She and her husband have three children with ages ranging from 9-14 and she loves music!
Bio
BS in Secondary Education, Wayne State University
Master of Arts in Counseling, Wayne State University
Licensed School Counselor
Professional Education Certificate
Archdiocesan Catechist Religious Education Certificate
23 years in education
10 years at SCA
Fun fact: Hutham loves to bake!
Bio
Sister began working at SCA in 2011 as the Campus Minister.
She is religious sister with The Servants of God’s Love located in Ann Arbor, MI.
Being able to bring knowledge of Jesus to our students is one of her great delights!
Before joining religious life, Sr. Mary Ann worked in advertising in Atlanta, GA.
Bio
25 years of experience in a variety of industries including Automotive, Financial Services, Global Trade and Home Lending.
Jennifer is has two daughters that are SCA almunae and has served on the moms’ club board. Her son is a rising senior at Catholic Central. She lives in South Lyon with her husband and family and is excited to be a part of our the SCA familiy.
Bio
Bridget Dulzo, '15
Education: Eastern Michigan University
After graduating from St. Catherine of Siena Academy as part of the second graduating class, Bridget dedicated the last four years to St. William Catholic School, where she served as both a teacher and the Advancement Director.
Bridget’s passion for Feminine Genius and her admiration for SCA’s mission inspired her return!
“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring” -St. Catherine of Siena
Bio
MS in Industrial Engineering/Operations Research, Penn State University
BS in Industrial Engineering, Penn State University
27 Years Business Experience
4 Years at SCA
Bio
B.A.A, in Recreation and Event Management with a minor in Business Management from Central Michigan University
Mission Advancement Associate / Events and Alumni Relations
2nd year at SCA in Advancement
5th year at SCA coaching Varsity Pom
I love spending my free time exploring Michigan with my husband and son.
Bio
AA, Macomb Community College
Studied Geography, University of Illinois Chicago
11 years business experience
13 years in education
11 years at SCA
She has two adorable Irish Setters!
Bio
EBA Business and Business Education, Michigan State University
MA in k-12 Administration, Michigan State UniversityVocational Certification along with w/Middle-High School Certification
AOD Certification in High School Theology Teacher
22 years in education
5 years at SCA teaching Business
Now managing St. Cate’s Corner
Carol loves DIY projects!
Faculty
Our faculty is dedicated to nurturing the brilliance of our STARS, helping them uncover their feminine genius every single day. Whether in the classroom, on the field or on the stage, during competitions, conferences, or field trips, educators at St. Catherine Academy are not only committed to providing academic excellence but also strive to foster the spiritual, moral, and emotional growth of their students. As role models, they continually demonstrate how faith and learning can be intertwined, helping our students understand how their academic pursuits align with their spiritual journey.
Bio
BS in Chemistry and Physics, Aquinas College
MAT with Secondary Endorsement, Oakland University
9 years in education
8 years at SCA teaching Science at SCA
She has had the blessing of seeing Pope Francis in person twice and neither time was in Rome!
Bio
Education/Degrees: Hope College graduate with majors in Biology and Theology.
Teaching Experience: As a 2019 graduate of St. Catherine of Siena Academy, Ms. Buckberry has returned to her alma mater to teach Theology, focusing on Moral Theology, Theology of the Body (Grade 11), and Church History (Grade 10).
Fun Fact: Ms. Buckberry is the founder of "Fuzzy Socks for the Homeless," a service project that has provided hundreds of socks and gloves to the homeless in Michigan and Washington, DC.
Bio
Education:
Bachelor in Adolescent Young Adult Life Science Education, University of Toledo
Minors in Earth, Space, and Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo
Teaching Experience:
- 6th year in education
- 6th year at SCA teaching Science
- 5th year at SCA teaching Yearbook
Fun Fact: She loves to travel and has visited over 30 countries!
Bio
Mr. Connolly is not a stranger to the St. Catherine of Siena community. Both this past August and last August, Mr. Connolly taught our College Application Writing Workshop. He was also a long-term sub in the English Department from January – May 2022.
Mr. Walter Connolly is a veteran and seasoned educator, with experience in single gender education (all girls, specifically). Mr. Connolly is teaching AP Literature, Honors American Literature, World Literature, and several electives, including Literature in Film. He has nearly 30 years of teaching high school English, including internationally at the John F. Kennedy Schule in Berlin Germany.
Mr. Connolly believes that success may not be solely attributed to the teacher or the student, therefore, it arises from untiring teamwork.
Bio
Education/Degrees: Major in the United States Army; extensive background in technology and Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Teaching Experience: Nearly three decades with Clarkston School District, including roles as Transportation Director and Career and Technical Education specialist.
Mr. Conwell was on-boarded to teach AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A and he is also introducing a variety of technology electives to our students, beginning this year with a half-credit Introduction to Computer Science Principles.
Fun Fact: Mr. Conwell combines his passions for technology and leadership, managing over 500 computers as a Network Administrator and leading 120 soldiers during his military service in South Korea.
Bio
Betsy Crapps
Education:
BA in Political Science, University of Notre Dame
Teaching Experience:
27 Years in education
2nd Year at SCA
Fun Fact: Betsy is the Founder of Mom Prom, a national charity event, and has appeared on Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, and even mocked on Saturday Night Live Weekend Update.
Bio
Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Applied Mathematics, University of Edinburgh
Postgraduate in Math Teaching , Major in Math and Minor in P.E., Moray House School of Education
Advanced Topics in Calculus and Differential Equations, Astrophysics, Mechatronics and Artificial Intelligence, Open University
Mathematical Leadership, University of Michigan
Additional Certificates: Grade 8 Classical guitar
30 years in education
7 years at SCA teaching Math
He was a Scottish Junior Heavy weight Powerlifting Champion back in the 1990’s!
Bio
AB Human Biology, Stanford University
MS Biomedical Sciences & Biomedical Ethics, Barry University
PhD Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida
Post-Doc Thaler Center for AIDS and Retrovirus Research, University of Virginia
18 years in education
11 years at SCA teaching Science
She likes to collect fossils!
Bio
BS in Political Science, Eastern Michigan University
BA in Social Studies, Eastern Michigan University
11 years in teaching
4th year at SCA
Mr Hegarty has sailed in both the Port Huron and Chicago to Mackinac Island sailboat races.
Bio
Education:
Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design, majoring in Film and Television and Minoring in Dramatic Writing.
Master’s of Fine Arts from Pepperdine University in Screenwriting.
Teaching Experience:
3rd year Teaching. 2nd Year at SCA.
Fun Fact: I have dual citizenship, both United States and Ireland!
Bio
Education:
Bachelors in English, Michigan State University
Masters in Art of Teaching, Madonna University
Endorsed as a K-12 Reading Specialist
Teaching Experience:
24 years in education and 10 years at SCA.
Mrs. Kara teaches 9th grade English, Women's Literature, Drama I & II and directs two theater productions each year with an additional performance at an elementary school each year with the Drama II students.
Fun Fact:
Prior to beginning her tenure as a teacher, she was a product specialist for General Motors where she got to “teach” the public and automotive sales staff about newly launched vehicles for current sales years.
Bio
Education:
- BA in General Mathematics, Western Michigan University
- MA in Educational Studies, University of Michigan
- MS in Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan
Teaching Experience:
- 9 years in Education
- 3 years at SCA teaching Math
Fun Fact: Was a member of the bronze medal winning Social Studies Olympiad Quiz Bowl team in middle school.
Bio
BA in Anthropology, double minor in Latin and Museum Studies
MA in Secondary Education of World Languages and Secondary Teaching Certification
1 year in education
Enjoyed student teaching at SCA for the 2022-23 academic year!
1st (official) year at St. Catherine!
Fun Fact: I first started 'swimming' when I was 6 months old!
Bio
Education:
Bachelor's of Art Education from the University of Central Missouri
Masters of Art Therapy and Counseling from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College
Teaching Experience:
This is my 13th year teaching high school art and my 2nd year here at SCA.
Fun Fact!
My family races hot air balloons all over the country (and Mexico!), and every labor day we fly in our hometown festival in Missouri!
Bio
Education:
BA in Elementary Education, UM-Dearborn
BA in Music & Psychology, UM-Dearborn
M. Ed. in Special Education & Learning Disabilities, UM-Dearborn
Teaching Experience:
30+ years in education
5th year at SCA as Learning Specialist
5th year teaching Mastery Skills I/II and Algebra 1
Julie and her husband live in Walled Lake. They have two daughters who attended Catholic schools through college. Julie is honored to be part of such an amazing community at SCA and loves to travel and to teach!
Bio
BA in Criminal Justice & Psychology, Wayne State University
BA in Mathematics and Sociology, WSU
MA in Math Education
30+ years in education
3rd year at SCA teaching Math
She has 16 year old twins and was recruited by the FBI in college!
Bio
Education:
BA in Philosophy and a BA in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago with two minors in Catholic Studies and Bioethics.
Ms. Shallal was an undergraduate research fellow for the Joan and Bill Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at LUC.
Ms. Shallal is currently pursuing an MA in Philosophy from Wayne State University.
Teaching Experience:
1st year in education and 1st year at St. Catherine Academy.
Fun Fact: Ms. Shallal studied and lived in Rome for 4 months!
Bio
Education:
BSE, University of Dayton, Adolescent to Young Adult Social Studies and Religious Education
Teaching Experience:
3nd Year at St. Catherine Academy teaching Freshman Theology and Psychology.
Fun Fact:
A fun fact about me is that I am a twin!
Bio
Education: Ms. Szuch holds a Master’s degree in Education from Marygrove College and has dual teaching certifications in Michigan and Ohio.
Teaching Experience: She brings a wealth of experience from teaching at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills and Southfield Christian School. Additionally, she has coached and instructed tennis and swimming and was most recently an educational specialist and private tutor for home-school families.
Fun Fact: Ms. Szuch is passionate about inspiring students in health and wellness and brings her dynamic energy to everything she does!
4o
Bio
BFA in Jazz Studies with Teacher Certification, University of Michigan
2 years in education
2nd year at SCA teaching Music
He has a large collection of musical instruments!
Bio
BA in History Education, Michigan State University
MA in Adult & Continuing Education, Michigan State University
MA in Educational Administration, Michigan State University
17 years in education
7 years at SCA teaching Social Studies
He taught two former candidates for Governor – one from each party and he previously taught at his Alma Mater; Catholic Central.
Bio
Education:
BA in History from Kenyon College
BA & MA in Education from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor w/certification in History
Teaching Experience:
- 19 Years in Education
- 5 years at St. Catherine Academy
Fun Fact: Ms. Wakefield was an NCAA All-American in swimming in college and part of 3 NCAA National Team Titles
Bio
Education:
Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Michigan
MA in Teaching from University of Michigan-Dearborn
Teaching Experience:
13 years in teaching. Mrs Zbytowski began teaching at St. Catherine of Siena Academy in 2010 when the school opened!
Fun Fact: Mrs. Zbytowski can juggle, a skill she learned from her elementary school gym teacher.
Bio
Education:
BS in Secondary Education from Eastern Michigan University, Minor in Political Science
Certificates (Endorsements ie K-12 Reading Specialist)- Endorsements in Integrated Science and Political Science
Teaching Experience:
19 Years in Education
First Year at SCA!
About:
At SCA, Mrs. Zelmanski will teach three levels of physics, Physics, Honors Physics,and AP Physics C: Mechanics. Additionally, she will be teaching a science elective, Fuel and Foods, and a social studies elective, Current Events.
Mrs. Zelmanski grew up in Michigan, lived in Las Vegas for 10 years, and moved back to Michigan. She is married and has 2 sons.
Fun Fact
There are 5 Edwards in her family!
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