Laura L. Halbardier, M. Ed.
Principal
Mrs. Halbardier is the Principal for St. Mary Catholic School.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a Masters of Education, Educational Administration, from the University of St. Thomas. Mrs. Halbardier is certified to teach EC-4th grades and has earned the Texas Principal Certification.
Fr. John Rooney
Pastor
Fr. John Rooney was ordained a permanent deacon in 1986 and a priest in 2001. He grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, the oldest of eight children. His initial formation was with the Eastern Dominican Providence. He is the father of two children and the grandfather of four children all residing in the Houston area. He has a Master of Religious Education with a Specialization in Spirituality from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX.
Arriving in Texas in 1979 he served in five parishes; Christ the Good Shepherd (1982 – 1984), St. Frances Cabrini (1984 – 1999); St. Edith Stein (1999 -2001); St. Michael the Archangel (2002-2007) and was founding pastor of St. Angela Merici (2007-2014). Cardinal DiNardo appointed him Director of Spiritual Direction at St. Mary Seminary July, 2014, and in November, 2020 he became pastor of St. Mary of the Expectation.
Arriving in Texas in 1979 he served in five parishes; Christ the Good Shepherd (1982 – 1984), St. Frances Cabrini (1984 – 1999); St. Edith Stein (1999 -2001); St. Michael the Archangel (2002-2007) and was founding pastor of St. Angela Merici (2007-2014). Cardinal DiNardo appointed him Director of Spiritual Direction at St. Mary Seminary July, 2014, and in November, 2020 he became pastor of St. Mary of the Expectation.
Patricia Richards
Bookkeeper/PSA Coordinator
Janet Ellison
Administrative Assistant/Safe Haven Coordinator
Mrs. Ellison is the Administrative Assistant, Safe Haven Coordinator and Girls Basketball Coach.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX.
Tracy Dennis, RN
Nurse
Mrs. Dennis is the nurse for St. Mary Catholic School.
She is a registered nurse (RN) who is present on campus, daily.
Victoria Wright
PK-3
Mrs. Wright teaches PK3.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. She has taught for 6 years in Early Childhood.
Heather Brummett
PK-4
Mrs. Brummett teaches Pre-K 4.
She has a Bachelor of Science from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. She has been teaching Pre-k for 3 years and worked as Special Needs Aid for 2 years.
Amy Gilmore
PK-4
Mrs. Gilmore teaches Pre-k 4 and is the Crochet Crew Coordinator
She holds a Bachelor of Science from the USMMA. She attended College of the Mainland in order to get her early childhood certificate. She has been teaching Early Childhood for 18 years, 15 years at St Mary’s.
Hannah Richardson
Kindergarten
Miss Richardson teaches Kindergarten and is the Theater Club Coordinator and the Instagram Coordiantor.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. She has worked in Early Childhood for 5 years.
Kathy Whatley
Kindergarten
Mrs. Whatley teaches Kindergarten.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston in Elementary Education. She also holds an Early Childhood certificate.
Christina Ovalle
1st Grade
Mrs. Ovalle teaches 1st grade and is the Crochet Crew Coordinator.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Universidad San Pablo CEU, Spain. She is a Certified Teacher for Early Childhood through 6th Grade. Mrs. Ovalle is also a Certified Bilingual Teacher for Early Childhood through 6th Grade.
Karen Pate, MSLIS
1st Grade
Mrs. Pate is the Librarian, Curriculum Coordinator, Technology Coordinator and the Engineering Club Coordinator.
She received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and a Master of Science in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Houston, Clear Lake. She holds current certification from the International Society for Technology in Education and has published within her field of study.
Deidre Lopez, M. Ed.
2nd Grade
dlopez@stmarylc.org
Mrs. Lopez teaches 2nd Grade.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from University of Northern Colorado, and a Masters of Education in Instructional and Curriculuar Studies from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Mrs. Lopez has taught grades K-2 in Nevada, Arizona, and Texas. She is Texas certified EC-4 and ESL.
Analie Rivet
2nd Grade
Mrs. Rivet teaches 2nd grade and is the Instagram Coordinator.
She is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University. She has worked in elementary education for 3 years.
Jaclyn Matthews
3rd Grade
Miss Matthews teaches 3rd grade and is the Sign Language Club Coordinator.
She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University and has a degree in Early Childhood through 12th grade with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education.
Karla Mellado
3rd Grade
Mrs. Mellado teaches 3rd grade and is the Kindness Club Coordinator.
She has a Bachelor of science in Early Childhood from Ashford University in Iowa. She is certified to teach bilingual EC through 6th grade.
Stephanie Keaten
4th Grade ELA & Social Studies
Mrs. Keaten teaches 4th grade ELA and Social Studies.
She earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (Education) from the University of Houston Clear Lake in December 2007. She is Texas State certified to teach elementary.
Michelle Pray, MBA
4th Grade Math & Science
Mrs. Pray teaches 4th grade Math and Science and is the Chess Club Coordinator.
She has a Master’s Degree and has been a substitute teacher and taught college courses.
Elva Castillo, MA
5th Grade ELA & Social Studies
ecastillo@stmarylc.org
Mrs. Castillo teaches 5th grade ELA & Social Studies.
Susan Little
5th Grade Math & Science
Mrs. Little teaches 5th grade Math and Science and is the Robotics Coordinator and Yearbook Coordinator.
She has a Bachelors of Arts in Educational Studies from Ashford University in Iowa. She is certified to teach EC-6th grade.
Tammy Croniser
6th - 8th Grade Religion & Social Studies
Mrs. Croniser teaches 6th-8th grade Religion and Social Studies and is the Religion Coordinator.
She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Stuebenville, as well as an Associates of Art degree in Philosophy. Mrs. Croniser holds a certification for 4-8 Social Studies.
Jennifer Donaldson
6th - 8th Grade English/Language Arts
Mrs. Donaldson teaches 6th-8th grade English/Language Arts and is Accelerated Reader Coordinator.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Martin’s University, Washington. She has also pursued certifications that allow her to teach 6th-8th grade English and Social Studies including: EC-6th grade Generalist, 8-12th grade ELA, 4-12th grade Social Studies.
Cathy Rios
6th - 8th Grade Math & Algebra
Mrs. Rios teaches 6th-8th grade Math as well as Algebra.
She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Sam Houston State University in Academic Studies. She has also pursued certifications that allow her to teach EC-8th grade including: EC-8th grade Generalist, 4-8th grade Math, and EC-8th grade English as a Second Language.
Melinda Bryan
6th - 8th Grade Science
Ms. Bryan teaches 6th-8th grade Science and is the Science Fair Coordinator and Yearbook Coordinator.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is certified as an EC- 8th grade Generalist.
Joyce Carr
Art PK-3 - 8th
Mrs. Carr teaches Art to PK-3 - 8th grade students.
She has a B.A. in Applied Design at the University of Houston @ Clear Lake and post graduate studies in education at Texas State and the University of St. Thomas. She is certified in Education for Early Childhood through 8th grade, E.S.L., and Art and has taught in Texas, St. Eustacia Netherland Antilles, and at an International Baccalaureate school in Singapore.
Bianca DeLeon
Athletic Director / P.E. & Health Teacher
Coach Deleon is the Athletic Director and teaches P.E. to PK-8th. She teaches Health to 4th – 8th grade. She is also the Volleyball and Track coach and Sports Club Coordinator.
She has a Bachelor of Science Kinesiology Exercise Science from University of Houston and a Masters of Science in Exercise and Health Science from University of Houston-Clear Lake. She is certified to teach Physical Education EC-12th.
Pat Gonzalez
Spanish PK - 4th
Mrs. Gonzalez is the Spanish teacher for Pk–4th and is the Before and After Care Coordinator.
Megan Miller, M Mus.
Music PK - 8th
Mrs. Miller is the Music Program Director for PK3 – 8th and the Orchestra Coordinator.
She has a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance and Music History from Rice University and a Master of Music in Viola Performance from Rice University. Mrs. Miller has performed at Carnegie Hall as a part of the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra. She was a violist in the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and did substitute work for the Abilene Philharmonic, the New World Symphony, and the Mercury Chamber Orchestra. Mrs. Miller currently performs in the Clear Lake Symphony. She previously taught at the St. Constantine School and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.
Nilda Santiago
Spanish 5th - 8th
Mrs. Santiago teaches 5th-8th grade Spanish.
She holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Puerto Rico.
Elvira Jimenez
Classroom Aide
Ms. Jimenez teaches 1st grade.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston Park Campus. She is a certified teacher for 1st through 12th grades in the ares of: English As a Second Language, Bilingual Education; Spanish Education and Business Administration. Ms. Jimenez loves teaching students of all ages and backgrounds and has had the honor of teaching students from 1 1/2 years to 60+ years of age through her 10+ year career.
Nancy Collins
Director of Development
John Tenczynski
IT Consultant
