Ms. Bridget Lyons - Kindergarten, K1 B.S., Early Childhood & Intervention, University of Mount Union Teaching since 2013, SRS beginning 2013

Ms. Lyons loves being a part of Girls on the Run at St. Raphael School.  She enjoys sharing her love of running with the students and teaching them how to be strong, positive young women.

Mrs. Ritzler believes that the kindergarten classrooms are the happiest places in the entire school! She enjoys seeing her students smiling faces and love of learning!  Along with teaching, Mrs. Ritzler is active on School Advisory Council and is the LPDC representative for our teaching staff.

Ms. Janine DiPronio - Kindergarten, K3 B.S., Early Childhood Education and Intervention, University of Dayton Miss DiPronio has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Intervention from the University of Dayton. She has been teaching since 2017. Miss DiPronio is excited to join the St. Raphael Community. She loves to see her students engaged in their work and excited about learning. Miss DiPronio enjoys watching her students grow spiritually and academically.

Mrs. Mary Sak - 1st Grade, Room 1 M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Bowling Green State University B.A., Elementary (K-8) and Special Ed. (K-12), Mercyhurst University Teaching since 1999, SRS beginning 2014

Mrs. Sak says "This is such an exciting time to be a part of Saint Raphael School!"  She is excited to watch our first graders grow in their academics, friendships, and relationships with Jesus.

Ms. Dusek recently graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She also holds a 4th and 5th-grade endorsement. She did her student teaching in a First Grade Classroom in Sycamore Community Schools in Cincinnati. Ms. Dusek loves working with her students and seeing them grow in their learning, and she is excited to be a part of the St. Raphael’s Community! 

Mrs. Rachel Brusky, 1st Grade, Room 1B M.Ed., Old Dominion University B.A., Early Childhood Education

Mrs. Brusky says, "I am so excited to be teaching first grade at Saint Raphael!  I grew up in Avon Lake and attended Saint Joseph Elementary School before attending Magnificat High School.  After graduating from Magnificat, I attended Miami University where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  Upon graduating from Miami University, I married my husband Grant who was active duty military at the time.   I began my teaching career substitute teaching in Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia.  After moving to Virginia, I was able to establish the true start of my career in education.  I have taught for both Norfolk Public Schools (third grade), Virginia Beach Public Schools (first grade), and Saint John the Apostle Catholic School (first grade).  I spent several years at Saint John the Apostle before going back to school to earn my Master’s in Education with a focus in Reading from Old Dominion University.  During my time at Saint John I was a mentor teacher, core group leader of pre-k through second grade, as well as a member of the Master Curriculum Council for the Diocese of Richmond.   I love education and sharing my faith with my students!  My goals for my class are to make them feel confident, loved, and excited to come to school every day!" 

Mrs. Jacquelyn Manfred - 2nd Grade, Room 2 B.S Early Childhood and Elementery Education, Frontsburg State University Teaching since 2000, SRS beginning 2016 Mrs. Manfred began her teaching career in Howard County, Maryland in 2000. After moving to Ohio for her husband’s career, she quickly immersed herself in St. Raphael School.  Mrs. Manfred starting out volunteering, was Home and School President for 2 years, a substitute teacher, an aide in 1st grade, and then a long-term sub in 2nd grade. Joining the 2nd grade team as a full-time teacher just felt like home. She loves watching her 2nd graders grow in their faith!

Miss Lauren O'Malley - 2nd Grade, Room 2A B.S. Early Childhood Education, John Carroll University Teaching since 2019, SRS beginning 2019

Miss O'Malley is very excited to begin her teaching career at Saint Raphael as a second grade teacher and watch her students grow both inside and outside of the classroom. She looks forward to creating impactful relationships with her students throughout the school year as she works with them to accomplish their goals. 

Mrs. Lisa Stenger - 2nd Grade, Room 2B M.Ed. Elementary Education, John Carroll University B.B.A. Finance and Marketing, Ohio University Teaching since 2003, SRS beginning 2017

After receiving her Masters in Elementary Education, Mrs. Stenger taught three years in the Cleveland Municipal School District as a first and second grade teacher as well as a Literacy Coach.  Mrs. Stengerthen went on to spend the next 10 years in the children's book industry editing and writing books, as well as developing teacher guides to be used in classrooms. Mrs. 

Stenger was excited to get back into teaching in 2017 as a second grade teacher in 2B!  Her favorite subjects to teach are science and math. She enjoys reading, traveling, walking her dogs, and spending time with her husband and three children.

Mrs. Cathy Barrett - 3rd Grade, Room 3 B.S. Elementary Education, Cleveland State University Teaching since 1993, SRS beginning 2001

Mrs. Barrett is proud of how each class becomes the Room 3 family where we show respect, compassion, and help each other grow in our faith.

Mrs. Lisa Karnatz - 3rd Gade, Room 3A M.Ed., Reading Endorsement, Baldwin Walace College B.S., Elementary Education, Special Education, University of Dayton Teaching since 2001, SRS since 2006

Mrs. Karnatz is very happy to be back at SRS as a 3rd grade teacher.  She began her teaching experience here in the 5th grade.  Mrs. Karnatz has been an active member of the school as a parent volunteer and has helped with the school yearbook for the past 10 years.

Miss Maryanne Barko - 3rd Grade, Room 3B B.A., Elementary Education, Notre Dame College of Ohio Teaching since 1996, SRS since 2003

Ms. Barko is a dedicated educator who enjoys teaching the Catholic faith and bringing the love of Jesus into the hearts of her students.

Mrs. Debbie Kamola - 4th Grade, Room 4, Language Arts and Social Studies M.Ed., Ciriculum and Instruction with Reading Endorsement, Ashland University B.S., Education, Cleveland State University Teaching since 1990, SRS beginning 1990

As the 4th Grade social studies teacher, Mrs. Kamola enjoys teaching the students facts about the great state of Ohio.

Mrs. Jennifer Sauto - 4th Grade, Room 4A, Reading and Religion M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction with Reading Endorsement, Cleveland State University B.S., Education, Ashland University Teaching since 2000, SRS beginning 2005

Along with teaching, Mrs. Sauto is an active coach for the Girls on the Run program.  She also enjoys working with the Raiders Club during the week.  As an SRS graduate, and now teacher, Mrs. Sauto loves that SRS is a place that feels like home and instills a strong Christian character in each individual that passes through.

4th Grade, Room 4B, Math and Science B.S. Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education; Special Education Minor - Miami University I’ve been teaching since 2015. I love teaching math and science. Fractions is my favorite unit to teach in 4th grade! I love having a positive classroom environment and building a strong community. We will learn so much together! Besides teaching, I love traveling, spending time outside, and playing with my dog, Mae.

Mrs. Rachel Barry - 5th Grade, Room 5, Religion and Social Studies M.Ed., John Carroll University B.A., John Carroll Univerisity Teaching since 1996, SRS beginning 2006

Mrs. Barry is involved with the National Geography Bee competition.  Mrs. Barry values our strong religious curricullum in and out of the classroom.  She appreciates Dr. Kereky, the St. Ignatian Retreat, and the Legion of Mary.  Mrs. Barry loves to support our staff through the Sunshine Committee.  She states "SRS has been a blessing to my children and will be for yours as well!"

Miss Shannon Welsh - 5th Grade, Room 5A, Reading and Language Arts M.Ed., Literacy Education, Cleveland State University (current student) B.S., Middle Childhood Education, Bowling Green State University Teaching since 2008, SRS beginning 2009

Along with teaching, Miss Welsh is a coach for Girls on the Run, which is a program that promotes self-esteem and overall health for young girls. She enjoys sharing her love of reading and writing with her students, but what she enjoys the most is getting to know the wonderful people her students are.

Mrs. Michelle Wise - 5th Grade, Room 5B, Math and Science Professional License, Bowling Green State University Teaching since 1996, SRS beginning 2004

Mrs. Wise thoroughly enjoys teaching and making a difference in children's lives. In addition to teaching math, she is one of the coaches of the 5/6 grade math competition team. Mrs. Wise is also one of the coaches for Science Olympiad.

Mrs. Andrea Ruda - 6th Grade,Room 6 Science, English and Reading M.Ed., Curricullum and Development, Ashland University B.S., Education, Cleveland State University Teaching since 1998, SRS beginning 1998

Over the years, encouraging students to observe and explore the world around them has been extremely rewarding to Mrs. Ruda. She has had the honor of accompanying many of our students to regional and state science fairs, where they have excelled!

Mrs. Laura Skonce - 6th Grade, Room 6A, Social Studies, Religion, and Reading M. Ed., Ashland University B.S Ed., The Ohio State University Teaching since 1984, SRS 1988-1990, 1998-present

Mrs. Skonce moderates Classroom of Champions and Brain Brawl, which are academic contests in which our 7th and 8th graders participate. She feels blessed to be a part of the St. Raphael Family and loves keeping in touch with former students and hearing about their success in high school, college, and beyond. She has already started to teach the next generation, or what she calls her "grandstudents." 

Mrs. Amy Shell - 6th Grade, Room 6B, Math and Reading M.Ed., Middle Childhood Education, The Ohio State University B.S., Human Devolopment and Family Science, The Ohio State University Teaching since 2013, SRS beginning 2014

Miss Hoffmeister feels blessed to be a part of the St. Raphael School community, and thanks the community for their warm welcome. Along with teaching, she islooking forward to assisting with Science Olympiad and the Student Liturgy committee.

Mrs. Alison Nottingham - JR High, Room 7, Science M.S., Molecular and Celluar Biology, Cleveland State University B.D.S., Science, John Carroll University

Mrs. Nottingham is a molecular and cellular biologist by training.

Mrs. Nottingham has a B.D.S. in Science from John Carroll University and a M.S. in Mollecular and Cellular Biology from CSU. She worked 10 years at Cleveland Cllinic and University Hospitals in cardiovascular medicine and 5 years as a Biomedical Advisor for Medical Startup Companies.

She loves to cook, plays piano, and enjoys neighborhood strolls through Bay Village with her husband and 4 dogs. Alison is a resident of Bay Village and resides with her husband, Bill, and two children, who are both students at Saint Raphael School.

Mrs. Amy Seitz - JR High, Room 7A, Religion  B.A. Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville 2005 M.A. Theology and Christian Ministry, Franciscan University of Steubenville, 2014 Youth/College/Young Adult Ministry since 2008, Teaching since 2016, SRS beginning 2019

Mrs. Seitz is excited to join the Junior High Team as the 7/8th grade Religion teacher, and is looking forward to meeting all of her new students! She hails from the East Side, and resides in Willoughby Hills with her husband Dan and our daughter Genevieve.  She has a love for Jesus, coffee and all-things crafty! 

Mr. Doug Devor - JR High, Room 7B, Social Studies

Mr. Ken Wolford - JR High, Room 8, Math  B.S., Mathematics, The Ohio State University Teaching Certification, Ashland University Teaching since 2007; SRS beginning 2013

Mr. Wolford loves to see how the students help each other in class.  He is proud of their strong sense of community.

Mrs. Elena Theibert - JR High, Room 8A, Spanish

Mrs. Theibert says, "I am thrilled to join the Saint Raphael teaching team this year.  I have been teaching Spanish for 18 years and I truly believe I have been called to share my love and energy for the Spanish language with my students.  I learned Spanish will living in Junín, Argentina in my late teens. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Segovia, Spain during my undergrad at Ohio University and in Cuernavaca, Mexico during my Master's program at Xavier University.  My husband Mike and I have 2 children, Evelyn (13) and Jude (9). Both my children are avid soccer players so we spend a lot of time at the fields. I enjoy reading, hiking and traveling."

Mrs. Kimberly Hirsch - JR High, Room 8B, Language Arts M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Cleveland State University B.A., Education, University of Mount Union Teaching since 2002, SRS beginning 2006

Mrs. Hirsch enjoys watching her students grow as readers and writers.  She is involved in Power of the Pen and Builders Club.

Ms. Fitts has been working in schools since receiving her Bachelor’s in Music Therapy from the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music in 2004.  After working full-time as a special needs music teacher and part-time vocal instructor for almost ten years, she attended Cleveland State University to obtain her Master’s degree in Speech Pathology in 2015.  Meredith loves working with children and incorporating games and fun activities into therapy.