Faculty Profiles
Denise Swope: Principal
Mrs. Swope has been at St. Bernard Regional Catholic School since 1996 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. Mrs. Swope has served as interim Principal in the past and became full time Principal in 2009.
Megan Pomputius: Pre-kindergarten three and pre-kindergarten four
Mrs. Pomputius joined St. Bernard Regional Catholic 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 Regional Catholic 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 Regional Catholic 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 Regional Catholic 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 Regional Catholic 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 Race: Fourth grade
Mrs. Race joined St. Bernard Regional Catholic School as a full time teacher in 2009. She previously worked for Catapult Learning as a reading specialist.
Denise Swope: Fifth Grade
Mrs. Swope has been at St. Bernard Regional Catholic School since 1996 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.
Tracy L. Dixson: Sixth Grade
Mrs. Dixson joined St. Bernard Regional Catholic 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 Regional Catholic School since 1994. 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 joined St. Bernard Regional Catholic School teaching staff in 2008. 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 Regional Catholic 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 has been teaching at St. Bernard Regional Catholic School since 2008. She is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor’s in education, majoring in music education.