Faculty & Staff

Coming from the South Florida city of Pompano Beach, I can say heat and humidity are old friends of mine. Vero Beach will feel like home! Being raised in a family of 6 children I am indebted to my parents, Joe and Jackie, for their witness of faith, family and love they showed each of us.

My education was in the Catholic school system: St. Clement’s in Wilton Manors and Cardinal Gibbons High School in Ft. Lauderdale. I went on to study and receive a Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of North Florida. After practicing a short time at Holy Cross Hospital, I decided to enter religious life with the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1999. My formation carried me both around the country and world as far away as Jerusalem where I attended Sts. Peter and Paul Seminarium Theologicum Salesianum. I was ordained to the priesthood on July 2, 2011.

For six years I worked in high-school ministry as a teacher, coach, coordinator of youth ministry and administrator. In 2017, I was sent as director and pastor of our parish in Belle Glade, Florida. Recently, I made the decision through careful discernment to remain in the diocese of Palm Beach and Bishop Barbarito has asked me to serve this community as the parochial administrator.  It is my sincere joy to be among you.  My prayer is for our mutual growth toward the hearts of Jesus and Mary.  

Mrs. Debbie Irish is honored and grateful to serve as Principal of St. Helen Catholic School. With more than 28 years of experience in education, she is deeply committed to providing an exceptional Catholic education that nurtures students academically, spiritually, and personally.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Irish has served in a variety of educational leadership and teaching roles, including special education teacher, elementary and middle school teacher, District Resource Specialist, Preschool Director, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Her experience spans students from Pre-K through college, providing her with a broad understanding of child development, instruction, and school leadership.
A proud graduate of St. Anastasia Catholic School and John Carroll High School, Mrs. Irish earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education and her Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida. She holds Florida certifications in Elementary Education, Middle School Education, and Exceptional Student Education, along with endorsements in Reading, ESOL, and Preschool Education.
As a lifelong Catholic educator, Mrs. Irish is passionate about fostering a school culture rooted in faith, academic excellence, service, and virtue. She believes that Catholic schools play a vital role in forming good Christians and honest citizens who are prepared to lead and serve in their communities.
Beyond her role as principal, Mrs. Irish is an active parishioner of St. Helen Catholic Church, where she serves as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. She resides in Fort Pierce with her husband and treasures time spent with her three sons, daughter-in-law, and growing family. She is especially delighted that her first grandchild is part of the St. Helen Catholic School family. Mrs. Irish considers it a blessing to serve the students, families, faculty, and parish community of St. Helen Catholic School and looks forward to continuing the school's mission of forming disciples of Christ while pursuing academic excellence.

 

Mrs. Annie Kathman is the Assistant Principal at St. Helen Catholic School. She began her educational career in Winter Park, Florida, where she taught for seven years. Prior to her current role, she served as the Director of Enrollment and Advancement at St. Helen. Mrs. Kathman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Rollins College and a Florida Teaching Certificate for grades K–6 with an ESOL endorsement. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and holds Florida certification in Educational Leadership. Mrs. Kathman considers it a privilege to serve as a school leader and feels blessed to be part of such a faith-filled community. She is deeply committed to the mission of forming students in faith, academics, service, and virtue. Mrs. Kathman lives in Vero Beach with her husband and their three daughters, two of whom currently attend St. Helen Catholic School and one who is a proud St. Helen alumna.

Deputy Ayers has been with the Indian River Sheriff’s Department since 1991. He has worked in the field as a street deputy and in the crime prevention department. He comes to us as a highly trained Deputy for the Indian River Sheriff’s Department. He is kindhearted and shows great attention to detail. Deputy Ayers will be a great addition to the St. Helen family. He takes his role as chief security officer very seriously, and will do a tremendous job protecting our students and staff.

Mrs. Albert serves as both our Preschool Director and lead VPK teacher. She began her teaching career at Lincoln Park Academy as a Theatre Director where she taught acting, prepared students for performance assessments, and directed musicals for eight years. In addition to her time at LPA, Mrs. Albert has served as an instructor at Riverside Children’s Theatre. After having two children, Mrs. Albert returned to the classroom as a VPK teacher at Gracie’s Preschool. Mrs. Albert earned a Bachelor’s degree from Stetson University, majoring in Theatre and minoring in Education. She is a VPK credentialed instructor and Director. Mrs. Albert loves helping young children fall in love with learning. Through books, music, faith, and movement, she creates a classroom that is filled with fun! Mrs. Albert married her husband - a high school band director - in 2011, they have two children who currently attend SHCS.

Mr. Jason Albert is entering his 24th year in education and is thrilled to be joining the St. Helen Catholic School family as a 5th Grade Math and Science teacher. He is passionate about helping students grow academically, personally, and spiritually while fostering curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning.

Inspired by St. James the Greater, patron saint of pilgrims, and his classroom theme of Walking in the Path of Jesus, Mr. Albert encourages students to see learning as a journey of discovery—one that deepens both their understanding of the world and their relationship with Christ. With an extensive background in music education and student leadership, he brings a strong focus on creativity, discipline, and collaboration to his teaching practice.

Mr. Albert is committed to creating a learning environment rooted in faith, respect, and academic excellence, where every student is challenged, supported, and encouraged to reach his or her God-given potential. He looks forward to partnering with students, families, and colleagues as he begins this new chapter at St. Helen.

My name is Mrs. Anessia Alvarez. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2024. I discovered my passion for teaching in 2020 and have loved helping students learn and grow ever since. I was born and raised in New York and now enjoy calling Florida home.
In our faith-filled classroom, we embrace curiosity, kindness, and the joy of learning. We strive to treat one another with respect, recognizing the dignity of every person as a child of God. I expect students to come prepared, be respectful, always do their best.“But as for you, be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

Mrs. Stacy Benz joins St. Helen Catholic School as our Fourth Grade teacher, bringing more than 25 years of educational experience in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. Throughout her career, she has inspired students through creative, hands-on learning, integrating storytelling, theater, collaboration, and experiential activities to help children develop confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Mrs. Benz holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies and History from Ball State University and is Wilson Reading Certified. In addition to her classroom experience, she founded Dynamic Dramatics, an educational consulting company dedicated to using the arts to enrich academic instruction, and has served as a Catholic youth minister, helping young people grow in both faith and leadership.

She and her husband of 36 years recently made Florida their home after living in ten different states and spending three years in Germany during his military service. They are blessed with two adult daughters and a granddaughter who attends St. Helen Catholic School.

Mrs. Benz is passionate about creating a classroom where every child feels known, valued, and encouraged to discover the unique gifts God has given them. She looks forward to partnering with families to help students grow academically, spiritually, and personally while making fourth grade a year filled with faith, learning, friendship, and adventure.

Laura Bois will be teaching 6th grade science and art. Laura graduated from Converse College with a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. She is also a graduate from the University of S.C. with a B.A. in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in studio art.  She is certified in middle level science, visual art, and elementary education. Laura has 18 years of experience as a middle school science teacher and middle school art teacher. She has acted as a mentor teacher and worked in curriculum development for science, social studies and art. She recently celebrated her 26th wedding anniversary and has a son and a daughter. She and her family have lived in Sebastian, Fl. since 2016 after relocating from South Carolina.  

Hi! My name is Blanche Bozzuto. I currently a student in the elementary education program at Indian River State College. I have a passion for teaching and love working with children. I am excited to be a part of the SHCS family. 

Kathlenia Carter has over 30 years of Business Management experience with the Diocese of Palm Beach, starting out in 1990 at St. Anastasia School. Mrs. Carter attended St. Leo College. Prior to moving to south Florida she taught ESOL and did remedial teaching at an alternative middle school in central Florida. The Carter’s reside in Sebastian, they have 2 grown daughters and 2 grandsons.

Mrs. Colwell brings nearly 14 years of teaching experience in grades K-6 to St. Helen Catholic School and is very excited to be teaching third grade. She holds a FL Educator Certificate for grades K-6, and is currently working toward her reading endorsement. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Georgia Southern University and went on to serve in the Peace Corps in Peru from 2009-2011 where she learned Spanish. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Bilingual Education from Teachers College at Columbia University while teaching in New York City in a high needs area as a Peace Corps Fellow. In 2021, Mrs. Colwell completed studies with Liberty University and earned her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership. In an effort to live closer to family, Mrs. Colwell recently relocated to Vero Beach with her husband and toddler son from Long Island, New York, where she lived and taught for several years. She is thrilled to serve the families of St. Helen Catholic School and to put down roots here in Vero Beach! 

This year will be Mr. Colwell’s first year teaching at St. Helen’s. He spent the previous ten years teaching in New York City Schools. Mr. Colwell attended SUNY Cortland and has a Master’s Degree in Education from Adelphi University. Mr. Colwell grew up playing mostly every sport one can think of. His favorites are lacrosse, hockey, and football. Mr. Colwell is married and has a son. They reside in Vero Beach and are looking forward to becoming a part of the St. Helen’s Community.

Ms. Courtney is excited to be joining the faculty at St. Helen’s Catholic School in Vero Beach as the new music teacher! A proud native of Indian River County, she recently returned home after several years pursuing her education, raising her beautiful daughter, and participating in endless performance opportunities in the tri-state area.

She holds a degree in music from Western Connecticut State University, a master's degree in education from the University of Bridgeport, and is currently working to complete her doctorate in instructional technology from American College of Education. Her teaching journey has taken her through a variety of classroom and music education settings, working with students of all ages to inspire creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

As both an educator and performer, she enjoys many musical styles from classical and opera to sacred music, jazz, pop, and musical theater. She especially loves teaching voice, piano, strings, percussion, and general music, and is passionate about creating a joyful, inclusive space where every child can discover their musical voice.

She feels that it is a true joy to be back in her hometown and looks forward to a wonderful year of music-making at St. Helen’s! 

Mrs. Laura D’alexis is the school counselor at St. Helen’s Catholic School. She has joined the faculty and staff in the 2022-2023 school year. Mrs. Laura D’alexis has moved to Ft. Pierce, FL from Kansas City, MO with her husband. She previously was at Glendale Elementary located in the Independence School District in Independence, MO. Mrs. Laura D’alexis grew up in Dubuque, IA. She has been a part of education for 26 years. She began her career as a first-grade teacher and has spent the far majority as an elementary school counselor. Mrs. Laura D’alexis received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Saint Mary’s of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN. She received a Master’s of Instruction in Elementary Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, MN. She received a Master’s of Education in K-12 School Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. It is a privilege for her to be a part of St. Helen’s School.

Mrs. Donna Davis brings over 35 years of experience as an art educator, having taught at the elementary and middle school levels in Naperville Illinois.  She holds both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Art Education from Illinois State University and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early to Middle Childhood art.

Now retired from full-time teaching,she recently relocated to Vero Beach with her husband and joined St. Helen's Parish. She is thrilled to continue sharing her love of art with students and believes deeply in the power of creativity to inspire confidence, imagination, and joy in children.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Davis is a practicing artist whose sculptures can be found in downtown Naperville. She also enjoys watercolor and oil painting and stays active playing competitive pickleball, tennis, and golf. She has a son in Ogden Utah and a daughter that lives in Vero Beach with her two grandsons who are attending St. Helens.

Mrs. Davis is excited to be a part of the St. Helen's School community and looks forward to nurturing a love of art in all her students,

Mrs. Ferreira has worked at St. Helen Catholic School for over 4 years. She currently serves the school as the Technology & Compliance Coordinator and is specialized in IT. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and uses her background in management and service to help ensure our technology and compliance systems run smoothly.

As a devout Catholic who has been a lifelong member of St. Helen Catholic Church, she is grateful to be part of a community where faith and education work hand in hand. She feels blessed to support the mission of St. Helen Catholic School each day.

Mrs. Teresa Float is a dedicated educator and longtime resident of Indian River County. A wife, mother of three, and proud grandmother, she brings over 20 years of experience in both public and private school settings. Throughout her career, she has specialized in serving students with special needs, while also working as a classroom teacher and interventionist.

Most recently, Mrs. Float supported 19 private schools—including all Catholic schools in Brevard County—by coordinating Title I services and family support programs. She holds certifications in Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education, along with an ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) endorsement. Mrs. Float also earned a Master of Education degree and remains passionate about ensuring every child receives the support they need to succeed.

Mrs. Jennifer Glass is in her 11th year at St. Helen Catholic School. Mrs. Glass has over 19 years of experience in Elementary and Pre-K education.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Florida State University. She successfully completed the Educator Preparation Institute at Indian River State College. She holds a  Reading  endorsement, Florida certificates in Elementary Education grades Pre-K through 6th, and ESE grades K through 12. Married with two children, Mrs. Glass lives in Sebastian, Florida.
 

Mrs. Jillian Goddard comes to St. Helen with eight years of teaching various grade levels, from kindergarten through middle school. She attended Epiphany Catholic School in Miami before moving to Vero Beach and graduating the International Baccalaureate program from Sebastian River High School. She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a degree in education. She has two daughters, one of whom attends St. Helen Catholic School currently and one who will be joining in the new preschool program. 

Mrs. Sara Jane Gordon-Mills, a native of Kentucky, will be teaching Social Studies for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades at St. Helen Catholic School starting this fall. She and her husband recently relocated from Orlando, Florida, where she taught 5th and 6th grades at Holy Family Catholic School for six years before moving to Vero Beach.

Mrs. Gordon-Mills holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration from Western Kentucky University and a Master's degree in Educational Studies from Quincy University. She possesses a Florida Teaching Certificate and a Social Studies Endorsement for Grades 5-9.

After a career in Health Care Administration, Mrs. Gordon-Mills chose to pursue her passion for teaching. She is a strong advocate of Catholic education, having raised her three children in Catholic schools. She believes that Catholic education provides children with the opportunity to learn in a faith-filled environment, which is essential for their development.

Mrs. Gordon-Mills is passionate about swimming daily and loves teaching History and Political Science. She has lived and worked in Kentucky, Tennessee, Saudi Arabia, Nebraska, Missouri, and Florida. She and her husband are in the process of building a home in Vero Beach and are excited to become part of this wonderful community.

Welcome to middle school math at Saint Helen School. It is going to be an exciting journey exploring math this year!
I have been a teacher in both public and private schools. I was Teacher of the Year for Indian River County School District and a Fulbright Teacher to Japan. I have a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in general education.
Although I am certified to teach all subjects, in middle school, my passion is teaching math. I love helping students realize that math can be easily understood and fun too! There will be a lot of hands-on applications. My goal for the students is to help them develop confidence in solving any math problem.
During my personal time, I enjoy horticulture, reading, and volunteer work.
I am thrilled and proud to be a Falcon as my two sons were when they attended Saint Helen School.

As a teacher and parent, my favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 22:6  “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.“

Hi everyone! My name is Ashley Hessler, and I am excited to join the St. Helen family this year as an assistant teacher in Pre-K.

I was born and raised on Long Island, New York, and graduated from the University of Oneonta with a double major in Mass Communications and Digital and Studio Art. I moved to Vero Beach five years ago and am so grateful to be part of this wonderful community. I have extensive experience working with young children and a deep passion for helping them learn and grow. I look forward to bringing creativity, enthusiasm, and a love of faith to the classroom.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our dog, Winnie, going to the beach, and visiting my favorite bakery after Sunday Mass. I can't wait to meet everyone and have a wonderful school year!

Elizabeth Hoag has been an elementary school teacher for 19 years and is excited to join the faculty of St. Helen's Catholic School. She is certified in Elementary Education, ESOL, and has her Reading Endorsement. She has also been a volunteer Catechist for St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Sebastian, FL. She grew up in Maryland and attended Sacred Heart Catholic School as a child. After high school she attended Virginia Tech for her bachelor's and moved to Florida to teach in Orlando, FL. She has lived in Florida for 20 years and has called Indian River County home since 2017. She lives in Fellsmere with her husband, son, and daughter. 

Miss Illuzzi is excited to join St. Helen Catholic School as the middle school religion teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She previously taught Elementary PE and Spanish 1 in St. Lucie County, and was a tennis and swimming instructor in her summers throughout college. She is a former competitive tennis player from juniors through UCF, she still enjoys playing tennis and pickleball with her friends and family today. 
Miss Illuzzi and her family attend St. John of the Cross parish where she also serves as a catechist. She has always enjoyed working with youth and after discernment, followed the call to teach in a Catholic School. To enrich formation she participates in retreats, conferences, and religious education courses, and is an active member of St. Helen’s Young Adult Ministry. She plans to teach according to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church rooted in Scripture and Tradition. She hopes to embark with her students to become greater disciples of Christ who follow in His greatest commandments; Loving God above all else, and Loving your neighbor as yourself. 

Mrs. Kapcar serves as the Administrative Assistant at St. Helen Catholic School. She has been a parishioner of St. Helen Catholic Church for over 25 years. Mrs. Kapcar studied at Indian River Community College and spent 30 years of her career as a Medical Practice Manager.  She is dedicated now to supporting young students and families who are seeking a faith-filled Catholic education. She and her husband have one daughter, a proud alumna of both St. Helen School and John Carroll High School. Mrs. Kapcar is grateful to be a part of the St. Helen School community and continues to support its mission with enthusiasm and care.

I am the kitchen supervisor for St Helens Catholic Church. I have worked at St. Helens School for 3 years and have over 8 years experience working in the kitchen. I was born in South Dakota where I lived until I was married and moved to Colorado where I lived for 20 years. I have 1 son and 2 grandsons that live here in Vero Beach. That is what brought me here. My hobbies include hanging out with family anything outside, kayaking, hiking, gardening. I also enjoy crafts and shopping.
 

Mrs. Ana Liebman is our K-5 Spanish instructor. She has been with St. Helen Catholic School since 2014 and assisted with implementing the Spanish Language Program for our elementary grades.  Before teaching at St. Helen, Mrs. Liebman offered private Spanish classes to small groups of elementary-aged children.  She has professional experience as an Insurance Company translator. Mrs. Liebman received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from La Universidad  Regiomontana de Hotelería y Administration in Mexico.  She resides in Vero Beach with her husband, they have two daughters, all St. Helen alumni, one of whom attends VBHS at present and one of whom is a Freshman at the University of Florida at Gainesville.

Hi! My name is Andrea Lutz. I am very excited to be joining St. Helen Catholic School family as a new 3rd Grade teacher. 
I recently moved to Vero Beach from Massachusetts. I bring 25 years of experience as an educator. I earned my bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about helping children grow academically, socially and spiritually. My goal is to create a classroom where every student feels safe, valued, encouraged, heard, and loved while developing a lifelong love of learning.
Family is very important to me. I have two children. My son is an Air Force pilot. My daughter attends the University of Rhode Island and is also in the Air National Guard. I am incredibly proud of them.
I feel blessed to be part of St. Helen community and look forward to getting to know all of you. I’m excited to build strong relationships with my students and their families and put down my roots here in beautiful Vero Beach!
 

My name is Dennis “Denny” Lynch, and I am excited to begin my teaching career at St. Helen Catholic School.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in journalism from Stetson University. After more than a decade in digital media, I am eager to bring my experience in writing, research, leadership, and emerging technology into the classroom.

My goal is to help students think critically, write clearly, and build skills that will serve them in a rapidly changing world. My interest in education began years ago as a camp counselor, where I supervised children, led teams of counselors, organized activities, and communicated with parents.

I am also the author of The Wild Adventures of Robin and Summer, a children’s novel about faith, family, friendship, and personal growth. As a practicing Catholic, I hope to foster a classroom rooted in academic excellence, strong character, and faith.

I look forward to joining the St. Helen Catholic School community. In my free time, I write and read, but I also enjoy volleyball, boating and fishing, walking my dog Robin, and watching Batman and Lord of the Rings movies. I am also a HUGE Florida Panthers fan and like to attend hockey games whenever I can; Go CATS!

Mrs. Clara Myers is our Second Grade Teachers Aid and joined St.Helen Catholic School in 2022.  In addition, she is new to the Vero Beach area, moving here from Ocala, FL.  Her teaching career started 12 years ago at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Dunnellon, FL.  She has taught Children’s Faith Formation to 2nd, 5th and 6th graders. She also held the position of Children’s Faith Formation Coordinator from July 2019 through May 2022.
Mrs. Myers has an Associates of Arts Degree in Business/Accounting from Charron  Williams College in Miami, FL and an Advanced Catechist Degree from the Diocese of Orlando.  She is excited and thankful for this opportunity at St. Helen’s Catholic School.

Mrs. Sheehan is the Kindergarten Teacher Assistant at St. Helen Catholic School. She began her educational career at St. Stephen Catholic School in Riverview, Florida as an EC3 and EC4 Early Childhood Teacher Assistant.  Her two sons attended the same school.  She continued her love for teaching in Chagrin Falls, OH at St. Joan of Arc Catholic School when her husband moved their family there to be near his family.  Her sons went on to attend St. Ignatius Catholic High School in Cleveland where they excelled and earned scholarships to attend the Catholic University of Dayton, and although not Catholic,  the prestigious Kent State University.  She is extremely proud of her boys now 21 and 23, and looks forward to instilling in the St. Helen students, the same love of learning, love of Christ and love of their Catholic faith that she did for her own children.

Mrs. Sheehan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Journalism from the University of Florida and is a proud Alumni of St. Helen’s!   She has a heart for nurturing, and a steadfast commitment to the values that define Catholic education, faith, service, compassion and community. 

Leeanne Parrish is excited to join the St. Helen Catholic School family as a 2nd grade teacher. She brings 11 years of experience in early childhood education, having served in both teaching and leadership roles. Mrs. Parrish holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree through the University of Florida.

Mrs. Parrish is passionate about creating a nurturing, faith-filled classroom where students can grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Her greatest passion in education is active learning, and she believes children learn best when they are actively engaged, collaborating with others, exploring new ideas, and making meaningful connections to their learning. Mrs. Parrish is especially excited to teach 2nd grade because of the opportunity to participate in the catechesis of children as they prepare for and receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.

Mrs. Parrish lives in Fort Pierce with her husband and their two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and supporting her daughters in their many activities.

She feels blessed to be part of the St. Helen community and looks forward to partnering with families to help students grow in faith, knowledge, and virtue throughout the school year.

My name is Gricel Revel and I’m the new Aftercare and Lunch Coordinator. I had the pleasure of working in St Mary School in Middletown NJ as a kindergarten aid for 14 years. I’m married with two children. We recently moved to Vero Beach.

Mrs. Rieur is delighted to join the St. Helen’s Catholic School community and looks forward to getting to know her students and their families. She and her family are also members of St. Helen Catholic Church.

She recently moved to Vero Beach, FL, from NJ with her husband and son. Originally from Warren County, NJ, she earned an associate degree in elementary and secondary education and began her career as a substitute teacher. That experience helped her discover the joy of supporting students and inspired her to serve children beyond the classroom. For the past 15 years, she has worked with students and families in school and community settings, helping children feel supported, encouraged, and ready to grow.

Mrs. Rieur holds a Bachelor in Psychology from William Paterson University in New Jersey, and a Master in Clinical Counseling from Centenary University in New Jersey.

Mrs. Gia Rizzo is our St. Joseph Room VPK/Pre-K Teacher. She grew up in Milford, Pennsylvania near the Pocono Mountains and moved to Florida with her family in 2017. She is a proud Falcon mom with three daughters that are currently attending SHCS. Mrs. Rizzo is a VPK Certified Teacher. She has an A.S. in Early Childhood Education from Indian River State College. She is actively pursuing a B.S. in Exceptional Student Education with Reading and ESOL Endorsements. Mrs. Rizzo has served SHCS as an Aftercare Coordinator and VPK/Pre-K Assistant. She is passionate about her career at SHCS!

Johnpaul Ruggeri is thrilled to serve as the 1st Grade Assistant at St. Helen’s, a community that has been a cherished part of his life since childhood. A lifelong member of St. Helen’s parish, Johnpaul remains active in the church and is passionate about fostering a strong faith foundation in the next generation.

He earned his Associate’s degree from Indian River State College and is currently working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology. John Paul’s love for working with children grew through his years of service at the St. Helen’s Don Bosco Summer Camp, where he volunteered for two years and worked as a counselor for another three.

Johnpaul is excited to share his enthusiasm for learning and faith with his students, helping them grow in knowledge, love for God, and confidence in themselves each day.

My name is Antoinette Samuel and I work at St. Helen Catholic School. I am married and have two sons. I enjoy reading and fishing! I am excited about starting my first year at St. Helen Catholic School!

This is Mrs. Searcy's second year teaching Elementary Spanish while continuing to serve as a substitute teacher here at SHCS. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, a certified translator, Mrs. Searcy has offered conversational and occupational Spanish as well as Spanish tutoring to adults and homeschoolers.  She attended American University and earned a BA in International Studies with minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies.   She later received a Master of Agribusiness from the University of Florida, Go Gators!, meeting her husband of 23 years.  Together they have 3 children.  She has over two decades of classroom experience, including teaching VPK at Gracie’s, math and reading intervention with the IRSD, and ongoing horticulture therapy lessons in assisted living facilities. 

I started my career in preschool teaching 7 years ago at Master's Academy in Vero Beach. I have earned my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for preschool ages 3-5. I have participated in a one-on-one 5 month training with a Concious Discipline coach in 2023. I was a music major throughout my upper school years which opened a great opportunity to proudly serve in the U.S. Army Reserves in the Statue of Liberty Army Band. I have a passion for teaching young children Bible lessons, which began 15 years ago while serving in children's ministries at my local church. I volunteered for many VBS programs as a leader and concept artist. I love to go on long runs and attend Renaissance Fairs, in full costume! My husband and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary, and we were blessed with two awesome daughters. I'm so excited to be a part of the St. Helen's Preschool team and for the opportunity to show the love of Christ to your precious little ones! "..For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 18:10

Miss Meaghan Sherer is a lifelong resident of Vero Beach and is an alumna of St. Helen Catholic School and John Carroll Catholic High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania and holds a Florida Certificate for Kindergarten through 6th grade. Miss Sherer knew she wanted to be a teacher at a very young age and loves that she is able to teach and share her faith at St. Helen Catholic School. The 2024-2025 school year will be her seventh year teaching at SHCS.

Julia Tomacelli is a retired elementary school teacher of 31 years from Cumberland County in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  She had the privilege of teaching grades Kindergarten through 3rd grades with several grades being multi-age classrooms. 
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degree from the University of North Carolina in Pembroke, (formally called Pembroke State University). In her years as an educator, she was a Mentor for beginning teachers, served as a grade level chair and was nominated by her colleagues at her school for Teacher of the Year. She also had the pleasure of having several student teachers during her time as an educator. 
She and her husband reside in Vero Beach, Florida.
 

Mrs. Grace Torrent came to St. Helen Catholic School in 2013 with 19 years of teaching experience, having taught Pre-K through Second grade at Vero Beach Elementary School. Her specialty is Language Arts. Mrs. Torrent is bilingual and maintains a Florida teaching certificate, with an ESOL endorsement. Mrs. Torrent earned both her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Master of Arts in Early Childhood from the University of Central Florida.  She was named “Teacher of the Year” at Vero Beach Elementary School in 2010. In addition to her regular teaching duties, Mrs. Torrent serves as the coach for Junior Varsity volleyball and is the moderator for our Lego Club. Married with two children, Mrs. Torrent resides in Vero Beach.

Hello! My name is Heather Wert, and I am thrilled to be joining St. Helen Catholic School as a First Grade teacher this year.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Exceptional Student Education and hold endorsements in Reading, ESOL, and Autism. I am passionate about helping young learners grow academically, socially, and spiritually while creating a classroom where every child feels valued, encouraged, and loved.

Teaching has always been close to my heart, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to combine my love of education with my faith. I look forward to helping students develop confidence, curiosity, kindness, and a lifelong love of learning.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two daughters, Bella and Gigi. In my free time, I love watercolor painting and latch hooking, which allow me to express my creativity and unwind. As both a parent and educator, I value strong partnerships between home and school and believe that working together helps children thrive.

I am grateful to be part of the St. Helen community and look forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and faith-filled experiences with my students and their families.

“¡Hola! ¡Mucho gusto!” from our new Middle School Spanish teacher, Stephanie White. Hailing from Michigan, Señora White enjoyed studying at the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia in Spain.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College, certified to teach K-12 Spanish and Secondary English. During the summer in college, she taught Spanish at her family’s Whitney Bloomfield Nursery School.  She created and taught an Exploratory Spanish program for Thornapple Kellogg Middle School for 3 years. She also taught ESL (English as a Second Language) to adults and secondary students in that community.  She returned to her alma mater, Novi Christian Academy, where she taught High School Spanish 1 and 2, Kindergarten and 1st Grade Spanish, and 7th Grade English for 2 years.  Relocating to Orlando, she started her own family and taught homeschooled students Spanish at The Regent Academy and Tindall Homeschool Academy.  She then left teaching outside the home to teach her own children inside the home.  She is blessed with an unforgettable 12 years of homeschooling her 7 (siete) children. Señora White and her family moved to Vero Beach 3 years ago and she is happy to be a parishioner of St. Helen’s. She can’t wait to meet and serve her new students at St. Helen Catholic School. 

I am Mrs. Wood, teacher for over 20 years and proud mother of my three daughters. I have held teaching licenses in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida. I received my bachelors from Gannon University in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development. I received my Masters of Education with concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  I have been a member of St. Helen’s Parish since we moved to Florida over 7 years ago. I am honored and blessed to be joining the Falcon Family.