Staff
Our administrative staff is top-notch! The team is comprised of talented professionals with a wide range of experiences that are perpetually moving us in a positive direction as we continue to celebrate a decade and build a legacy.
Faculty and Staff
President
Lia Johnston
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BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah
MBA, Ashland University
19 years of business experience
11 years at SCA
She has lived in seven countries on four continents!
Principal
Judith Hehs
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BA in Chemistry, Kalamazoo College
MA in Curriculum & Instruction, The University of Detroit
34 years in Catholic, single-gender education
3rd year at SCA
Loves to travel and even spent a year studying abroad at the University of Muenster in Germany!
Dean of Students
Daniel Bumpus
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BA in American Studies, University of Notre Dame
Masters in Education, University of Notre Dame
20 years in education
3rd year at SCA
In his younger years, he had a short boxing career!
Athletic Director
Carlos Calderon
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BS in Sport Management, Southern New Hampshire University
Masters in Science and Athletic Administration, University of Miami
Certified Athletic Administrator, National Athletic Administrators Association
13 years in education
2nd year at SCA
He taught ESL for eight years for grades K-1!
Email: ccalderon@saintcatherineacademy.org
Director of Admissions
Tiffany Tatman
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Bachelors in Integrated Studies, Oakland University
Concentration in Public Relations & Communications
6 years working in education
1st year at SCA
She is obsessed with interior design! One of her favorite things to do is to find furniture at the curb and repaint/refinish it and give it new life. One woman’s trash is truly a re-purposer’s treasure!
Business Manager
Kathy Isgro
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Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance, University of Michigan
MBA, University of Michigan
15 years business experience
2nd year at SCA
She and her husband have three daughters (18, 16, & 8) and she loves to cook and bake (but hates to do the dishes)!
Director of Culinary Services
Jacki Green
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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!
Administrative Assistant
Jamie Bohl
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BA in Political Science, Texas State University
10 years business experience
2nd year at SCA
She has an entire room in her house dedicated to her home state of Texas!
Email: jbohl@saintcatherineacademy.org
Guidance Counselor (A-H)
Claudia Sitto
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BA in Psychology, Oakland University
Master of Arts in Counseling, Oakland University
Licensed School Counselor
National Certified Counselor certification in school counseling (NCC)
14 years in education
8 years at SCA
She and her husband have three children with ages ranging from 6-12 and she loves music!
Guidance Counselor (I-Z)
Hutham Tankersley
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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
19 years in education
7 years at SCA
She loves to bake!
Campus Minister
Sr. Mary Ann Foggin
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Associates in English Literature, Bay Path College
22 years as a religious sister with the Servants of God’s Love
10 years at SCA
She was in advertising for 15 years before becoming a religious sister!
Email: mfoggin@saintcatherineacademy.org
Advancement Associate
Kerry Prowse, '15
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BS in Kinesiology, Michigan State University
Eli Broad College of Business Sports Business Management Minor, MSU
Coaching Minor, MSU
2 years in Advancement
2 years working at SCA
She loves the outdoors and MSU basketball! (Go Green!!)
Marketing and Communications
Amy Beers
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MS in Industrial Engineering/Operations Research, Penn State University
BS in Industrial Engineering, Penn State Universtiy
27 Years Business Experience
2 Years at SCA
St. Cate's Corner, Manager
Carol MacLennan
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EBA Business and Business Education, Michigan State University
MA in k-12 Administration, Michigan State University
Vocational 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
She loves DIY projects!
Email: cmaclennan@saintcatherineacademy.org
Faculty
Our team of highly educated faculty does their best each and every day to help our STARS discover their feminine genius. Whether in the classroom, out on the field, at competitions, conferences, or on field trips this team is there for their students and does whatever they can to help them succeed.
English
Laura Lovasz
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BA in English, University of Michigan
Masters and PhD, Indiana University
28 years in education
7 years at SCA teaching English
She loves cats!
English, Drama
Jill Kara
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Bachelors in English, Michigan State University
Masters in Art of Teaching, Madonna University
Endorsed as a K-12 Reading Specialist
21 years in education
6 years at SCA teaching English and Drama
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.
English
Jennifer Zbytowski
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Bachelor, University of Michigan
Masters of Teaching, University of Michigan – Dearborn
11 years in education
11 years at SCA teaching English and History
She is a classic movie buff (her favorite films are from the 1930’s-50’s)!
Science
Katie Brandt
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BS in Chemistry and Physics, Aquinas College
MAT with Secondary Endorsement, Oakland University
5 years in education
4 years at SCA teaching Science
She has had the blessing of seeing Pope Francis in person twice and neither time was in Rome!
Science
Brittany Ciarelli
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Bachelor’s in Adolescent Young Adult Life Science Education, University of Toledo
Minors in Earth, Space, and Environmental Sciences, UofT
2nd year in education
2nd year at SCA teaching Science
She has been to over 30 countries!
Science
Lucia Eisner-Smerage
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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
12 years in education
8 years at SCA teaching Science
She likes to collect fossils!
Science, Mathematics
Claire Jackowski
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BS in Physical Science & minors in Biology and Secondary Mathematics, Michigan State University
Some Masters work, Michigan State University
3 years in education
3 years at SCA teaching Math and Science
She’s been a foster parent for over a year to two different children!
Mathematics
Brendan Cornelissen
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Bachelor in Secondary Education, Wayne State University
Masters in Educational Leadership, Grand Valley State University
14 years in education
4 years at SCA teaching Math
He can juggle!
Mathematics
Paul Davidson
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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!
Mathematics
Connie Shallal-Johnston
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BA in Criminal Justice & Psychology, Wayne State University
BA in Mathematics and Sociology, WSU
MA in Math Education
30 years in education
1st year at SCA teaching Math
She has 14 year old twins and was recruited by the FBI in college!
Theology
Anneke Tennies
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BA in Religious & Pastoral Studies, Anahuac University
MA in Theology, Catholic Distance University
Catechetical Diploma, Catholic Distance University
15 years in education
9 years at SCA teaching Theology
She loves Kensington Metropark!
Theology
Barbara Kirwan
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AOD Teacher of the Year 2020
BA Teaching of Social Studies, University of Illinois
Graduate work in American History, University of Illinois
M.A. Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Certified by the State of Michigan in Social Studies grades K-12
16 years in education
11 years at SCA teaching Theology
As of June, 2019, she has been married to her high school sweetheart for 36 years!!
Theology
Evan Pham
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BA in English, Oakland University
Bachelor’s in Philosophy, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
MA in Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
14 years in education
3 years at SCA teaching Theology
He never wanted to be a teacher, but our Lord had different plans!
Theology
Amanda Yasi
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BA in Psychology, Oakland University
MA in Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
6 years in education
4 years at SCA teaching Theology
She spent four years as a Sister in a convent in her early twenties!
Social Studies
Michael Hegarty
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BS in Political Science, Eastern Michigan University
BA in Social Studies, EMU
MA in History, EMU (in progress)
Social Studies
Orrin Tibbits
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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.
Latin
Nicholas Mantia
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BA in Classical Languages, Ohio State University
Masters work, University of Georgia
6 years in education
5 years at SCA teaching Latin
He does woodworking and gardening in his spare time!
Latin
Keith Shafer
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BA, St. Bonaventure University
MA in Classics and Classical Archaeology, University of Missouri
PhD in Classics and Classical Archaeology, University of Missouri
15 years in education
7 years at SCA teaching Latin
The only sports trophy he has ever won is for the Vermont Open Wiffleball Tournament!
Art
Ashley Klee
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BFAs in Studio Fine Arts & Art Education, College for Creative Studies
6 years in education
4 years at SCA teaching Art
She and her husband run a small-scale reptile rescue!
Music
Chris Tabaczynski
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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!
PE
Julie Czopek
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BS in Physical Education k-12, health 6-12, Eastern Michigan University
Masters in Sports Marketing, Eastern Michigan University
15 years in education
10 years at SCA teaching Health, PE, & Online Mentoring
Her kids are her world!
