Faculty

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MEET OUR FACULTY

The influence of great teachers is far greater than their direct effect on their students. Their impact ripples out throughout society and across generations. At St. Rose of Lima Elementary & Middle School, we know the value of great teachers, and we believe that many of the very best are right here at our school. We realize that optimal results are achieved when teachers use their passions and strengths to educate, so we strive to match our teachers to the positions best suited to their skills and interests. We use current teaching methods, textbooks and technoloogy to ensure that our programs meet or exceed state and Archdiocesan standards.

Table of Faculty:



GRADE 1: KATHERINE ZABEL

Ms. Zabel is an alumni of St. Rose of Lima and La Reina High School. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), with a concentration on Curriculum Design and Instruction.  She holds a Clear Multiple Subject Credential and has taught both Kindergarten and first grade for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).  She is an experienced, passionate, and dedicated educator.  Ms. Zabel is also an athlete and will be coaching our Girl’s Softball and Basketball teams!

katherinezabel@srls.org

GRADE 2: KIMBERLY SELLERS 

Mrs. Sellers has been teaching for 20 years, all in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. She has taught at St. Rose of Lima for 12 years, and has been a fourth grade, middle school Spanish, and second grade teacher here. During the summer, she serves as an academic recovery teacher at Opportunities for Learning, an independent-study public charter school. Before coming to St. Rose of Lima, she taught Kindergarten at St Robert Bellarmine School in Burbank, where she was a Principal’s Advisory Committee Member, the Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator, and a mentor teacher for project STARS (Students and Teachers Achieving Remarkable Standards).

Mrs. Sellers holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Deaf Studies with an emphasis on Deaf Education from California State University, Northridge. She also has a Multiple Subject Credential. She is currently completing her Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) Certification. She serves as a trainer for Thinking Maps, an educational consulting and publishing company that provides professional staff development for K-12 schools across the country.

Mrs. Sellers is married and has two children, both of whom attend St Rose of Lima. She enjoys shopping, scrapbooking and reading. She has an unusually large shoe and purse collection. Her favorite book is The BFG, by Roald Dahl.

kimberlysellers@srls.org

 

GRADE 3: LYNETTE GAYDOS 

Mrs. Gaydos has been teaching for 13 years, three of which have been at St. Rose of Lima. Previously, she taught first grade at Sacred Heart School in Ventura, California, and at St. Charles in Studio City, California. She also taught third grade for seven years at St. Anthony Grade School in Maui, Hawaii, part of the Archdiocese of Honolulu.

Mrs. Gaydos holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles. She also holds a preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

Mrs. Gaydos truly enjoys teaching children about God. She was born and raised in Maui, and is known for sharing stories about Hawaii with her students. Mrs. Gaydos also lived in Puerto Rico for two years. She has a daughter at St. Rose of Lima and a son who attends Chaminade High School and is a St. Rose of Lima graduate.

lynettegaydos@srls.org

 

GRADE 4: ERIN PLOWMAN 

Mrs. Plowman has been teaching for 10 years, five of which have been as a fourth grade teacher at St. Rose of Lima.  Previously, she taught first grade at St. John Eudes.

Mrs. Plowman holds an Associate of Science Degree in Home Economics from Moorpark College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics with an emphasis in Clothing and Textiles from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Mrs. Plowman holds a Multiple Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential and a Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) Certificate from CSUN, and a Multiple Subject Clear Credential from Loyola Marymount University.

Mrs. Plowman has been a Simi Valley resident since 1972. Before becoming a teacher, she was in charge of billing and insurance for an ophthalmology practice. Mrs. Plowman has been married for 24 years and has two adult daughters and one adorable dog. She enjoys family time, reading, sewing, crafting, cooking, and traveling.

erinplowman@srls.org

GRADE 5: JAMIE THOMPSON

Mrs. Thompson has been teaching for 12 years, all within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. She has been at St. Rose of Lima for four years, and she very much enjoys teaching children about the Catholic faith. She is excited to be at St. Rose of Lima, as she is a former SRLS student. Previously, she taught first, third, and fifth grades at St. Didacus Catholic School in Sylmar.

Mrs. Thompson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an Associate’s Degree in Psychology from Moorpark College. She attended Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, where she earned a preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

Mrs. Thompson grew up in Simi Valley. She is married and has two boys and a little girl. Her oldest son attends St. Rose of Lima. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and shopping (with Mrs. Sellers and Mrs. Jorgenson) for shoes and purses.

jamiethompson@srls.org

  

GRADE 6 HOMEROOM, MATH, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES; GRADE 7 and 8 LANGUAGE; GRADE 8 SOCIAL STUDIES: ALLISON WATTERS

Mrs. Watters has taught at St. Rose of Lima for four years, two years full-time and two years as a guest teacher. She also taught one year of junior high at a public school before starting her family. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in United States History from California State University, Northridge, and is currently completing her teaching credential.

After moving to Moorpark in 2005, Mrs. Watters taught Catechism at Holy Cross Church in Moorpark for five years. She also taught piano lessons for eight years, which allowed her the opportunity to stay home and be a full-time mom to her three children. Luckily, we were recently able to convince her to take a full-time position at St. Rose of Lima.

Mrs. Watters is married and has a daughter and son in middle school, and a daughter in elementary school. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and sewing. She and her family spend a lot of time on the soccer and football fields on the weekends, and she feels so blessed to be part of the St. Rose of Lima family.

allisonwatters@srls.org

GRADE 7 HOMEROOM; GRADE 7 AND 8 MATH AND SCIENCE: MARCIA NOGUEIRA

Ms. Nogueira has taught at St. Rose of Lima for two years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychobiology from UCLA, a Single Subject Credential in Biological Sciences and Foundational Math from California Lutheran University, and a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine from SAMRA University.

Before becoming a teacher, Ms. Nogueira was a Social Work Associate for Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for five years. She was also a tutor for about nine years, both privately–in subjects including Biology, Spanish, Math, Anatomy & Physiology, and standardized exams–and for companies such as the Princeton Review. She served as a paraprofessional in Special Education for Conejo Valley Unified School District, working with individuals and groups with mild to severe special needs. She also was and still is a practicing California State Licensed Acupuncturist.

Ms. Nogueira is married, but kept her maiden name. Her favorite pastime is traveling. She speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

 marcianogueira@srls.org

GRADE 8 HOMEROOM AND SOCIAL STUDIES; MIDDLE SCHOOL LITERATURE: ROSANA RODRIGUEZ 

Mrs. Rodriquez has been teaching for 18 years, eight of which have been at St. Rose of Lima. Previously, she was a Confirmation facilitator at St. Mary’s Catholic School and a teacher at Wilsona Elementary, both in the Antelope Valley. She was voted “teacher of the year” at Wilsona.

Mrs. Rodriquez has a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from California State University, Northridge. She holds a Multiple Subject Clear Credential from California State University, Bakersfield. She is in the process of obtaining her Master’s Degree in Curriculum/Instruction from Canyon College. She holds a Certificate in 21st Century Learning, which facilitates the emergence of new approaches to learning. Mrs. Rodriguez also teaches writing seminars at Bishop Alemany High School and was a 2009-2010 Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Representative for Accelerated Reading Training.

Mrs. Rodriguez recently celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with her husband. She has three children. Mrs. Rodriquez is very close with her family and enjoys spending time with them and their two dogs, one cat, and two parakeets. A favorite family pastime is watching Lakers basketball games together.  Mrs. Rodriguez’s parents were born in Romania, so she celebrates all Romanian holidays with her family. Purple is one of her favorite colors (for obvious reasons–the Lakers). Mrs. Rodriguez loves to read books on her backyard hammock and garden. Her great-great grandfather was the King of Prussia and her great-grandmother was a gypsy who traveled in a wagon selling items to the townsfolk.

rosanarodriguez@srls.org

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY; 6th GRADE SCIENCE; SUPERVISOR, YEARBOOK, PANTHER PRESS, OPEN COMPUTER LAB, OUTDOOR SCHOOL (6th Grade): DEZIREEN AUSTIN 

Mrs. Austin has been teaching at St. Rose of Lima for seven years. Previously, she taught as a Special Education teacher in Los Angeles Unified School District.

Mrs. Austin has a Bachelor’s Degree in English from UCLA. She holds Teaching Credentials from California Lutheran University in Elementary Education and English. She also has been trained in the Los Angeles Unified School District LANGUAGE!™ program, a literacy program designed for students who need intensive English language instruction. Mrs. Austin is a former journalist and an accomplished writer.

Mrs. Austin enjoys technology, blogging, reading, and cooking. She and her husband live in Simi Valley with their two children, who both attend St. Rose of Lima School. Mrs. Austin is a community volunteer for the YMCA, St. Rose of Lima, St. Peter Claver, and other organizations.

dezireenaustin@srls.org

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR/PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR; FOURTH GRADE TEACHER’S AIDE: RYAN SPENCER 

Mr. Spencer has been teaching for six years, two of which have been at St. Rose of Lima as the Athletic Director and Physical Education Instructor. He has also served as a Computer Specialist and Teacher’s Aide. Previously, he taught Physical Education and was a Teacher’s Aide for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Mr. Spencer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Climatology from California State University, Northridge. He is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration through Concordia University. A perennial athlete, Mr. Spencer has been involved in sports as long as he can remember. He played on the baseball and basketball teams at Bishop Alemany High School.

Mr. Spencer is married and has two young children. He loves to work out and play sports, especially baseball and basketball. When he isn’t at the gym or on the field, he can be found cooking or hanging out with his family.

ryanspencer@srls.org

  

SPANISH TEACHER: KRISTINA RODRIGUEZ 

Ms. Rodriguez has been teaching for four years, two of which have been at St. Rose of Lima as the Spanish Teacher. Previously, she taught at Pinecrest in Thousand Oaks. She also worked as a teacher’s aide for five years.

Ms. Rodriguez holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Spanish and Psychology from California Lutheran University. She also earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from California Lutheran University. She is currently working on her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology at California Lutheran University.

Ms. Rodriguez is passionate about both the field of Psychology and the art of Spanish Language. She enjoys challenging her Middle School students to increase their understanding of basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary.

 kristinarodriguez@srls.org



ART SPECIALIST, MEET THE MASTERS ART PROGRAM: TERRI PARRONE

Mrs. Parrone teaches the “Meet the Masters” art program on Thursdays for all grades.  She taught the program at St. Jude the Apostle School, where she was also a parent and served as both president and vice-president of the Parent/Teacher Group (PTG).  Mrs. Parrone holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

terriparrone@srls.org



MUSIC TEACHER AND DIRECTOR OF PARISH MUSIC MINISTRY: CLARE DELTO 

Mrs. Delto has been teaching for 17 years, two of which have been at St. Rose of Lima. In addition to her responsibilities at St. Rose, she currently directs the Vocal Jazz Ensemble at Glendale Community College, where she has taught Music Appreciation and the History of Rock and Roll.  She serves as Musical Director for the College’s musical productions, which have included “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Godspell.”

St. Rose of Lima has guided Mrs. Delto for many years. She attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in San Diego for grades one through eight. After high school, Mrs. Delto started her teaching career in Chula Vista, California, as a voice and piano teacher at Harper’s Music and the Agape School of Music. She then went to Boston and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at Berklee College of Music.  She became a Massachusetts Certified General Music and Vocal Teacher and taught privately and at the elementary and high school levels.  After seven years in Boston, Mrs. Delto and her husband moved back to Chula Vista. At Feaster-Edison Charter Elementary School in Chula Vista, she was a tenured general music and vocal teacher. She was also a music instructor and the vocal director for musical theater productions at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. During this time, she also earned her Master’s Degree in Music Conducting from San Diego State University. While in Chula Vista she also returned to her childhood parish/school (St. Rose) as a cantor and music minister directing the adult, children’s and youth choirs.  Mrs. Delto came to the Los Angeles area several years ago when Mr. Delto was hired as a fulltime music professor at Glendale College.  Mrs. Delto worked as a music teacher at the Incarnation School in Glendale before she was hired at St. Rose of Lima as the Music Director. She currently enjoys directing the Children and Adult Choirs and is glad that St. Rose led her to Simi Valley.

Mrs. Delto loves to perform! She has performed the last two years with her husband at the Simi Valley Dream Cuisine and Knights of Columbus events.  She was an active vocalist in San Diego and was featured at venues such as the Catamaran Hotel, La Valencia Hotel, Dizzy’s Jazz Club, and the San Diego Symphony Summer Pops. Mrs. Delto has also been featured as a solo vocalist and conductor at prestigious venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Chartres Cathedral, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the King’s Chapel in Versailles, St. Chapelle, Melbourne Scots’ Church, Sydney Town Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. Mr. and Mrs. Delto recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family.

cdelto@strosesv.com



LIBRARY SPECIALIST, MIDDLE SCHOOL RELIGION, ACCELERATED READER COORDINATOR: LEE-ANN MASCOLA

Mrs. Mascola has been teaching for 21 years, 13 of which have been at St. Rose of Lima. She began at the school as a Middle School Science and Math teacher. She is a Certified Catechist and previously taught Catechism at St. Rose of Lima Church.

Mrs. Mascola was a Business major at California State University, Northridge. She was also a Theology major at Moorpark College and Azuza Pacific College. Mrs. Mascola holds a California Master Catechist Certificate from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Before becoming a teacher, Mrs. Mascola worked in banking and management, specializing in construction loans and foreign exchange. She holds Accredited Certificates in Bank Management/Auditing from Security Pacific National Bank. Mrs. Mascola has been married for 33 years. She has two adult sons; both are graduates of St. Rose of Lima School. Mrs. Mascola is an artist and a bibliophile.

leeannmascola@srls.org

 

RESOURCE SPECIALIST: HEIDI JORGENSON 

Mrs. Jorgenson has been teaching for 13 years, eight of which have been at St. Rose of Lima as a Resource Specialist. She previously taught in the Simi Valley School District for five years.

Mrs. Jorgenson earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Communications and Special Education from California State University, Northridge (CSUN).  She also has Teaching Certifications in Elementary Special Education and Resource from CSUN. In addition, she earned a Certification to teach and train the acclaimed multi-sensory Powerline Reading Program from California Lutheran University.

Mrs. Jorgenson is married and has three children. The oldest is a St. Rose of Lima graduate who now attends Chaminade High School and the other two are current St. Rose of Lima students. Mrs. Jorgenson enjoys shopping, hiking, shopping, spending time with her large extended family and many close friends, shopping, decorating her classroom with Hello Kitty goods, and shopping. Mrs. Jorgenson loves a good sale and has an eye for fashion. She loves animals, and has her animal health technician license, which comes in handy with her three cats and two dogs.

heidijorgenson@srls.org

  

PRINCIPAL: JOHN SANDERS 

Mr. Sanders has been the principal at St. Rose of Lima for two years. Mr. Sanders brought a wealth of skills, qualifications, experience and expertise to our school as a teacher and as a principal, both at the elementary and the middle school levels. He has a history of hands-on success with school improvement, professional development, and innovative learning initiatives. As a teacher, he specialized in Math and Science. Mr. Sanders has great expertise in research-based instructional strategies, hands-on science instruction, behavior management and improving student learning. He also has a very thorough understanding of California State Standards and assessments.

Previously, Mr. Sanders served as the principal of College Park Elementary School in Costa Mesa, where he partnered with local businesses and organizations to enhance instructional programs. He implemented multiple physical education programs, and his school was selected as the regional winner of the California Governor’s Challenge for Health and Fitness (2008). His school also was selected as the pilot site by the Mind Institute for the ST Math Program (2008-2009). He re-tooled programs at all grade levels, focusing on at-risk students. He implemented the Principal’s Intervention Council that met weekly to develop strategies to help struggling students. He also received the Newport Mesa Unified School District Super Star Award for Exemplary Service (2008).

Mr. Sanders also served as the assistant principal of Ensign Intermediate School in Newport Beach, where he implemented a school-wide Positive Intervention Support, including Caught Being Good awards program to focus the school community on encouraging good behavior. As principal at Paularino Elementary School in Costa Mesa, Mr. Sanders worked collaboratively with teachers, parents, teacher aides, and outside agencies to develop a model special education program for mainstreaming severely disabled students. Mr. Sanders also served as the assistant principal at Diablo Vista Middle School in Danville.

As the Middle School Math and Science teacher at Iron Horse Middle School in San Ramon, Mr. Sanders received the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Science Educator Award (2000). As the sixth grade Math and Science teacher at Palms Middle School in Los Angeles, he received the John Hopkins University Teacher Recognition Award for Excellence in 1997 for the core math and science program he taught in that highly gifted magnet school.

Mr. Sanders is originally from Santa Monica. His wife is a graduate of La Reina High School. He and his wife have two handsome little boys.

johnsanders@srls.org