Mrs. Tina M. Bucci
Principal
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Mrs. Tina Bucci received her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Scranton University. She has dual certification in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, and she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Seton Hill University. She earned her second Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Development from Radford University. Mrs. Bucci resides in her hometown of Apollo with her husband and two sons. Mrs. Bucci has served as principal for Catholic Schools in the Pittsburgh Diocese and the Greensburg Diocese. She is excited to be a part of the St. Bernard School community.
Mrs. Patty Sharbaugh
Three & Four-Year-Old Preschool
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Mrs. Sharbaugh joined St. Bernard Regional Catholic School in 2019 as a substitute teacher. Prior to becoming a substitute teacher, Mrs. Sharbaugh worked in special education for 19 years through multiple capacities in school and home settings by providing therapeutic services to children with Autism. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in Psychology.
Mrs. Maggie Dugan
Preschool Teacher
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Mrs. Dugan joined St. Bernard Regional Catholic School in 2018 as a cafeteria helper. In 2022, Mrs. Dugan began substitute teaching at St. Bernard. Prior to working at St. Bernard, Mrs. Dugan worked as a caseworker for Adelphoi Village Foster Care and Adoption Services for 10 years. She has also taught preschool and kindergarten Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church. Mrs. Dugan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Juvenile Delinquency from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Nicole Adamson
Kindergarten
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Mrs. Adamson joined St. Bernard Regional Catholic School in 2023. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Masters in Literacy with a Reading Specialist Certification K-12. She has experience teaching in Grades PreK-8th grade. She lives in Indiana. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and reading books.
Mrs. Melissa Ryan
First Grade
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Mrs. Ryan has been teaching First Grade at St. Bernard Regional Catholic School since 2013. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education with a reading concentration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has a Level II instructional certificate in elementary education.
Mrs. Janet Arone
Second Grade; Grades 6-8 Religion; Lead Teacher
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Mrs. Arone has been teaching at St. Bernard Regional Catholic School since 1996, prior to which she served at Indiana County Day Care. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education from Juniata College, Huntingdon, and has Level II professional certification in elementary education.
Mr. Eric Bishop
Third Grade
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Mr. Eric Bishop is a 2007 graduate of IUP with a degree in elementary education. Upon graduation, he worked for 5 years in behavioral health mainly with children with autism. He taught multiple subject areas in 4th and 5th grades in the Altoona Johnstown Diocese at Holy Name Elementary for 11 years. Mr. Bishop loves spending time with his wife and two children. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and everything outdoors. Mr. Bishop also enjoys playing all sports and is a big “yinzer” always cheering for the Steelers, Pirates, Pens and anything black and gold.
Mr. Eliot Fortushniak
Math Grades 4-8
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Mr. Eliot Fortushniak graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education in Middle Level Math Education and a minor in Art Education. Mr. Fortushniak has been the recipient of the Serafini Math Scholarship as well as the Arms Math Scholarship. In addition to his love of math & teaching, Mr. Fortushniak volunteers his time in several Youth Programs as an Activity Coordinator for 6th thru 12th graders. In his free time, Mr. Fortushniak enjoys spending time with his siblings and his friends while watching a good movie or playing games.
Mrs. Cindy Lee
Language Arts Gr. 4-8; Religion 4-5
Mrs. Cindy Lee has lived in Indiana with her husband and three children for 23 years. She grew up in Maryland and has earned her M.A. in Elementary Education, as well as a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Lee has previously taught in Maryland, Florida, and Virginia. She has also been a substitute teacher in the Indiana Area School District for many years and has served in several long term assignments there. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and going for walks. Mrs. Lee also fits in some volunteer work.
Mrs. Brianna Dillaman
Physical Education PK-8; Science Grades 4-8
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Mrs. Dillaman joined the staff in 2018. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from SUNY Cortland as well as a Master’s Degree in K-12 Health Education from SUNY Cortland. She has maintained a professional certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) since 2006.
Mrs. Molli Duchon
Social Studies Grades 4-8
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Mrs. Duchon joined St. Bernard Regional Catholic School in 2023. She holds a Master’s Degree in K-12 Health and Physical Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the faculty, she taught Health and Physical Education at Seeds of Faith Christian Academy, as well as serving as the Athletic Director. She is also pursuing an additional certification in Social Studies.
Mr. James Rickard
Art PK-8
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Mr. Rickard joined St. Bernard Regional Catholic School in 2018. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is currently working towards his Master’s Degree at Penn State. Previously, he was a high school art teacher in Montgomery County Maryland, co-founder and instructor of the fine art program at The Academy of Fine Arts in Gaithersburg, MD, and an elementary art teacher in Culpeper, VA. His artwork and photographs have been shown across the globe, including locally at IUP and The Artist’s Hand Gallery. His publications include the two-act play Something Mutant, 2009, and “The Unimportance of Arts Education” for Homeschool Montgomery Magazine, 2011. He currently sits on the boards of the IUP University Museum, The Indiana Arts Council, The United Way of Indiana County, and the Evergreen After School Club.
Mrs. Christine Palmer
Technology Education, Library, and Spanish
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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.
Mrs. Karen Marshall
General Music, Chorus, and Band
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Mrs. Karen Marshall has a B.S. in Music Education from IUP and her state permanent certification. She began her career in the year 2000 here at St. Bernard School. After nine years in the public school system, she returned to St. Bernard’s in 2014. In addition to teaching PK – 8th grade music, Mrs. Marshall is the music director at St. Bernard Church and helps with the Homer-Center Marching Band and Indoor Percussion group. She lives with her husband and five kids in Homer City and loves teaching at St. Bernard School.
Ms. Caitlyn Hebner
Classroom Aide
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Miss Cat Hebner joined the St. Bernard staff in the Spring of 2023. Miss Cat graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2022 with two Bachelors of Arts degrees, one in Theatre, and one in English with a minor in Deaf Studies.
Mrs. Jamie Henry
School Counselor [email protected]
Mrs. Henry joined St. Bernard School in December of 2023 as the School Counselor through the Diocese of Greensburg. Prior to joining the Diocese, Mrs. Henry worked at Resolve Crisis Services in Allegheny County for 8 years. Mrs. Henry has a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Clarion University of Pennsylvania as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitative Sciences with a concentration in Drug and Alcohol Counseling and Social work. Mrs. Henry has a son and a daughter who keep her busy at home. She also enjoys volunteering at her local fire department.
Mr. John Kopczyk
Business Manager
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Mrs. Gina Pittman
Cafeteria Manager
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Mrs. Kristina Matthews
Preschool Aide
Mrs. Matthews is very excited to join the St. Bernard family! She is currently attending Seton Hill to finish her degree in behavioral health and sociology. She has 8 years experience working with children, both as a preschool teacher and a paraprofessional.
Ms. Madison Sloan
Preschool Aide
Ms. Sloan is currently attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania for early childhood education and math education. She has worked with children for seven years. Ms. Sloan loves to be outside and to spend time with her friends and family.
Ms. Emma Welch
Preschool Aide
