Faculty Profiles

 

Denise Swope: Principal

 

Mrs. Swope has been at St Bernard School for 13 years and has served as a tutor of math and reading. She has a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s equivalency degree in Education from St. Francis University in Loretto.

 

Megan Pomputius: Prekindergarten three and prekindergarten four

 

Mrs. Pomputius joined St Bernard School in 2006, having graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania bachelor’s in elementary education and recently with a master’s in literacy. She has prior experience at the Indiana County Community Guidance Center and as a counselor for Trinity United Methodist Church.

 

Jacqueline Paronish: Kindergarten

 

Mrs. Paronish joined St. Bernard School in 2007 and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2001 with a degree in elementary education, and recently received a certification in early childhood education. She has taught prekindergarten and fourth grade.

 

Maria Hastings: First grade

 

Mrs. Hastings has taught first and third grade at St. Bernard School since 2003. She has also served as the school’s principal from 2000-03.  Mrs. Hastings has been an adjunct professor at Mt. Aloysius College, Cresson, St. Francis University, Loretto, and Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo. She has earned a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s in educational administration from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
 

Janet Arone: Second grade

 

Mrs. Arone has taught at St. Bernard School since 1996, prior to which she served at Indiana County Day Care. She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from Juniata College, Huntingdon, and has both Level I and Level II professional certificates in elementary education.

 

Vera Leonard: Third grade

 

Mrs. Leonard has taught third, fourth and sixth grade at St. Bernard School since 1995, prior to which she taught for a number of years at St. Anthony School in Clymer. Mrs. Leonard has earned a bachelor’s in speech/hearing, elementary education and both Level I & II in certificates in elementary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

 

Shannon L. Palilla: Fourth grade

 

Mrs. Palilla began teaching at St. Bernard School in 2005, prior to which she taught in the Head Start program and as a fourth grade teacher in Maryland. She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education and master’s in literacy education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

 

Shannon Race: Fifth grade

 

Mrs. Race joined St. Bernard school as a full time teacher during August, 2009. She previously worked for Catapult Learning as a reading specialist.

 

Tracy L. Dixson: Sixth Grade

 

Mrs. Dixson joined St. Bernard School in 2005, after having taught for three years as a head teacher for Indiana County Head Start. She earned her bachelor’s in child development and family relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s in elementary education from Chatham University, Pittsburgh.

 

Cynthia J. Caton: Art

 

Mrs. Caton has been with St. Bernard School for 15 years. She has a bachelor’s in art education and holds a master’s in art from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has Level II instructional certification for art (kindergarten through twelfth grade). As a practicing artist, she has also been recognized with numerous art awards and citations.

 

Sheri Bracken: Health and Physical Education

 

Ms. Bracken is a second year member of the teaching staff at St. Bernard School.  She has a bachelor’s in health and physical education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

 

Christine Palmer: Technology Education, Library and Spanish

 

Mrs. Palmer has taught at St. Bernard School since 1995, working with students in various capacities. She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education, with a Spanish minor, and certificate in foreign language and international studies for elementary teaching from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has also earned elementary instructional level II certification.

 

Kimberly Harris: Music

 

Ms. Harris is in her second year of teaching at St. Bernard School. She is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor’s in education, majoring in music education.