St. James School is proud to be supported by highly qualified educators, tutors and religious/spiritual influences. It is this core group of competent professionals that strive for educational excellence in a whole, nurturing and challenging environment
Faculty & Staff
Administration
What is your best school memory?
Creating a human "SJS" (St. Joan of Arc School) sign in our playground as a welcome sign for Joe DeNardo, WTAE's Meteorologist, known for visiting schools in his helicopter
Who was your favorite teacher?
Ms. Kirshner (7th grade homeroom & Social Studies)
What did you want to be growing up?
Train engineer
I am a St. James staff member because...
I believe everyone has a role to ensure that all students have the same access to the same high quality education. We are doing our part at St. James.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Anything chocolate
What is your best school memory?
In high school, receiving my class ring.
Who was your favorite teacher?
Ms. Kirby, 6th grade
What did you want to be growing up?
An epidemiologist
I am a St. James staff member because...
Philadelphia needs great schools with great teachers. St. James School is one of those schools.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate, Chocolate Chip
Francis X. Baird, Ph.D.
Director of Development
High School - St. Joseph's Prep
BA, St. Joseph's University
MS, Marywood University
Ph.D., Temple University
What is your best school memory?
There are many but I guess one of the best was having my first poems published in my high school literary magazine
Who was your favorite teacher?
Sister St. Augustine in 6th grade. If we were "good," she would read to us out loud, The Tales of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. No one had ever read out loud to me before.
What did you want to be growing up?
Tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles, like my idol, Pete Retzlaff, or the first missionary on Mars (I love science fiction!).
I am a St. James staff member because...
the mission is awesome and the kids are great. I am so excited to be part of the support moving forward to keep the vision that created this school alive.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
mango/vanilla gelato
Instructors
What is your best school memory?
Learning to read
Who was your favorite teacher?
High School Guidance Counselor Mary Shortell
What did you want to be growing up?
Artist
I am a St. James staff member because...
I believe each one of us should do what we can to repair the world. My small contribution is to help students appreciate and experience the joy of the visual arts.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Peppermint
What is your best school memory?
My favorite school memories are the many times when I went to school with my grandmother, a second grade teacher and the times she let me teacher her class as a elementary school student. It was then that I wanted to be a teacher.
Who was your favorite teacher?
My favorite teacher was my high school French teacher, Ms. Arnette. She had such passion for what she taught and made her class so much fun.
What did you want to be growing up?
I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I was in second grade.
I am a St. James staff member because...
I believe our students are the future.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint Chocolate Chip
Beth Dzwil
Music Teacher
A.A. Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts, Suzuki Violin Teacher CertificateWhat is your best school memory?
School concerts, of course!
Who was your favorite teacher?
How could I choose just one? Mr. Silver (10th grade chemistry), Mr. Seyfert (8th grade Social Studies), Mrs. Grimaldi (6th grade English) and Stephanie Harper (Mrs. Grimaldi's student teacher). All of them were enthusiastic, encouraging and positive. I am still in touch with Mrs. Harper. She and Mrs. Grimaldi instilled in me a lot of the values that define who I am today.
What did you want to be growing up?
By the time I was in 7th grade I knew I wanted to be a musician, although I did sometimes consider studying Chemistry.
I am a St. James staff member because...
the mission of the school is close to my heart. I love the children and believe in their ability to rise above the challenges in their lives.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Cookies and Cream
Alex Lenzo
Religion Teacher;
Director of Youth Ministry, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Roxborough
B.A. in Theological and Biblical Studies, Wheaton College (IL);
M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary
What is your best school memory?
I have two. In high school I played snare drum for our marching band and various percussion instruments in our orchestra. Performing the percussion ensemble piece “Stained Glass,” by David Gillingham, was a highlight, and so was playing with my very talented drumline peers. In college I met my best friends, and I have wonderful memories of staying up late studying and laughing together.
Who was your favorite teacher?
Ms. Wright, my high school English and multicultural literature teacher, taught me to love poetry. She came in one day, sat on her desk, pulled out a book of poems, and told us simply to listen and enjoy the rhythms and tones of the words. After that I rarely approached a book without appreciation for its language.
What did you want to be growing up?
An NBA basketball player and a writer.
I am a St. James staff member because...
...what is it that I want in life? With whom? For what? Why? I want to give this gift to others. Over the years, I have found life and joy in asking the big questions of life with youth. Religion asks these questions, and has lead both to violence and to peace, to hate and to love. I desire to be a voice for the latter.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
It is hard to beat plain, simple vanilla. It goes with everything.
Annie Lerew
5th Grade Teacher
BA Mathematics, Albion College
MAT in Mathematics, Bard College
What is your best school memory?
Physics day at Hershey Park.
Who was your favorite teacher?
My mother.
What did you want to be growing up?
An American Gladiator. Or a math teacher.
I am a St. James staff member because...
of the students. They make each day meaningful.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
All of them.
Instructional Assistants
Fabian Austin
Instructional Assistant
Notre Dame Mission Volunteers-AmeriCorps Volunteer CoordinatorB.S. Southeastern Louisiana University, M.A. California State University Fullerton
What is your best school memory?
Graduating from High School and going to College
Who was your favorite teacher?
Mr. Ford, 7th grade English
What did you want to be growing up?
A doctor
I am a St. James staff member because...
I want to make a difference in childhood education and hope to be a mentor in a positive way
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Cookies and Cream
Kevin Todd
Instructional Assistant
B.A. Fordham University, International Studies; Minor in Philosophy and African American StudiesWhat is your best school memory?
My best school memory is being a part of the school news team senior year
Who was your favorite teacher?
Maryanne Lovelace
What did you want to be growing up?
An NBA basketball player
I am a St. James staff member because...
I believe in the sustained commitment to empowering, educating, and encouraging young people to reach their full potential.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Cookies and Cream
Administrative Support
Joanne Behm
Development Associate & Church Relations
churchpartners@stjamesphila.org
Jim Boerckel
Business & Operations Manager
jimboerckel@gmail.com
Al Cassidy
Director of Marketing, Advertising & Design
acassidyjr@comcast.net
Tori Cellucci
Volunteer & Operations Coordinator
tcellucci@stjamesphila.org
Audrey Evans, MD
Medical Advsior
aeevans25@yahoo.com
Andrew Kellner
Religion Advisor
B.A. Michigan State University
M.A. Luther University
Roberto Morales
Facilities Manager
rmorales@stjamesphila.org
Beth Ryan
Social Emotional Support and Dance/Movement Therapy Intern
B.S. University of Scranton
M.A. Drexel University (expected '13)
eryan@stjamesphila.org
The Rev. Marie Swayze
School Chaplain
B.A., Trinity College, Washington;
M.S., West Chester University;
M.Div., Lutheran Theological Seminary;
Anglican Studies, General Theological Seminary, NY
mswayze@stjamesphila.org
Urban Blazers
Eric Dolaway
Urban Blazers
edolaway@urbanblazers.org
Danielle Stollak
Urban Blazers
dstollak@urbanblazers.org
