Teachers

Faculty Members

Biography

Father Peter Puntal

Fr. Peter Puntal  

Pastor

Father Peter Puntal was ordained in the Philippines on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 1982. After studying at the American College in Rome, he relocated to the Diocese of Orlando. Father Peter was appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s in June 2005. In addition to serving as Vicar Forane of the Western Deanery, he is an ex-officio member of the Presbyteral Council for the Diocese of Orlando. Father Peter also currently serves as the Finance Director for the First National Association of Filipino Priests USA and as the National Advisor of the Filipino Ministry under the Cultural Diversity Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).A product of Catholic Education, himself, Father Peter feels strongly that each child should be afforded an opportunity to progress in character, academics and spirituality.


Tammi Haas 
Principal

BA Flagler College

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
University of South Florida
Tammi Haas knows that she truly belongs at St. Joseph’s Catholic School.  She joined the St. Joseph’s Faculty in 2001 after marrying her husband Brian, a St. Joseph’s alum, and moving to Polk County.  She is thrilled to have her children, Robby and Emily, at school with her.
  
While at St. Joseph Catholic School, Mrs. Haas has served as the resource teacher and taught fourth and fifth grades.  As Steering Chair for the School Improvement Process in 2011 and 2012, Mrs. Haas led the entire community through reflection and evaluation to identify three goals for improvement while celebrating the fantastic ideals of SJCS.
 
Mrs. Haas was appointed Principal of St. Joseph Catholic School in December of 2012 after receiving her Master's in Educational Leadership at the University of South Florida in Tampa.  Mrs. Haas is committed to Catholic Education and St. Joseph Catholic School.  She believes that academic excellence begins with high expectations for each student and developing a strong cooperation among the parents and the teachers to educate each child. 

Mrs. Haas enjoys spending time with her family at Disney.  Tammi is a Eucharistic Minister and a Lector at her parish, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales. 

Email: thaas@stjosephwhschool.org


Jessica Bruchey
Assistant Principal, Enrichment Teacher

AA Bauder College Atlanta, GA

BS Wright State University  Dayton, OH

M. Ed. in Educational Leadership
University of South Florida

Jessica Bruchey has been teaching at St. Joseph for 9 years.  She moved from Ohio to Winter Haven in 2003 and began her career at St. Joseph as a Kindergarten teacher.  Mrs. Bruchey went on to teach third grade and Pre-K 4.  She currently serves as the Assistant Principal and first through fifth grade Language Arts Enrichment teacher.  In addition, Mrs. Bruchey is the cheerleading coach and assists with directing the school chorus. 

Mrs. Bruchey has an Associate of Arts in Fashion Merchandising from Bauder College in Atlanta, GA; a Bachelor of Science in Education from Wright State University in Dayton, OH; and a Master of Education from the University of South Florida in Lakeland, FL.  She also has her Advanced Level Certification through the Diocese of Orlando Catechist Program, and completed the Master Teacher Program through the Diocese of Orlando.

Email: jbruchey@stjosephwhschool.org

Ricci Keown
PreK3 Teacher/5A Religion Teacher

BS Primary/Elementary Education Florida Southern College

Ricci Keown is the PreK3 teacher and has over 10 years of teaching experience.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Primary/Elementary Education from Florida Southern College.
  
Email: rkeown@stjosephwhschool.org

 


Dana Aley
PreK-4 Teacher
BA Elementary and Early Childhood Education
University of Florida

Dana Aley is a graduate of The University of Florida with a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary and Early Childhood education.  She has taught  1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th grade and really enjoys teaching Pre-Kindergarten. 
Mrs. Aley is from Temple Terrace, FL and had wonderful opportunities to travel and live abroad while her husband was in the U.S. Navy.  She enjoys walking, swimming, boating and being with her family.

Email: daley:stjosephwhschool.org

 
Stacey Fedderly
PreK4B Teacher
 
BS Elementary Education University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse (minor Early Childhood Education)
 Stacey Fedderly was born and raised in Wisconsin.  She graduated with honors from University Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education.  After teaching 2nd grade for a short time she took some time to raise her young children.  During that time she continued teaching at the Sylvan Learning Center in Lancaster, Ohio.  She is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. 
Stacey is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She and her husband have four wonderful children who also attend school here at St. Joseph.  Stacey attended catholic school as a child and now feels extremely blessed to be given the opportunity to work here and be a part of this Catholic community.  She loves working with children and feels honored to be teaching Pre-Kindergarten.

Email: sfedderly@stjosephwhschool.org
 
David Breyer
Kindergarten Teacher
 
BS Penn State
Slippery Rock University
 David Breyer comes to St. Joseph by way of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  A graduate of Lincoln High in Ellwood City, PA, Mr. Breyer received his BS in Marketing from Penn State University.  After working a couple of years in the business world, he decided to pursue his true passion of teaching children.  He completed in educational coursework at Slippery Rock University and in 1997 his family moved to Polk County.  Mr. Breyer taught Kindergarten at Gibbons St. Elementary and Pinewood Elementary before joining the St. Joseph family in 2005. 
 
Mr. Breyer has been married since 1993 to his wife, Teresa, who also works at St. Joseph as a school secretary and the teaching assistant in First Grade.  The Breyer’s have truly made St. Joseph a family affair with their son, David, who graduated in 2010 and is currently attending Santa Fe High School and their daughter, Rebecca, who is currently in middle school.  In his spare time, Mr. Breyer can be seen enjoying a round of golf, coaching one of our soccer teams, or as a die hard Pittsburgh Steeler fan.

Email: dbreyer@stjosephwhschool.org
 
Judianne Dry
Kindergarten Teacher
 
BS Bloomsburg State College elementary education

MS Bloomsburg State College Education of the Hearing Impaired
Judianne Dry has taught kindergarten at St. Joseph Catholic School for thirteen years. Mrs. Dry grew up in Berwick, Pennsylvania, where she attended Catholic grade school.  She has earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s of Science in the Education of the Hearing Impaired from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Dry has her Advanced/Master Level Certification through the Diocese of Orlando Catechist Program.

Mrs. Dry moved to Florida with her husband Randy in 1982.  After teaching hearing impaired students in Polk County for three years, Mrs. Dry became a full-time mother, staying home for the next fifteen years. She stayed involved in education by tutoring many children throughout that time.  Mrs. Dry has four children, all of whom graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School. Before joining the faculty of St. Joseph, Mrs. Dry was actively involved as a volunteer and room mother at St. Joseph. She now spends her free time watching her son Alex play Santa Fe Catholic High School sports and enjoying her new grandson Jackson.

Email: jdry@stjosephwhschool.org

 


Janina Freeland
Grade 1 Teacher

BA University of Central Florida

 
Janina Allende Freeland was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She has lived in Winter Haven since she was five years old. She was a student at St. Joseph Catholic School Winter Haven from first through eighth grade. She attended Santa Fe Catholic High School and believes strongly in a Catholic education. After graduating high school, she attended Stetson University in DeLand, FL where she participated in the music program and worked toward her Early Childhood Education degree. In the year 2000, she transferred colleges and graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. She met her husband, Brian, at UCF. After they were married they moved back to Winter Haven. Janina worked at Denison Middle School teaching ESOL to grades 6-8. After a year of teaching at Denison, she applied for the first grade position at St. Joseph in the summer of 2004. Both Janina and her husband, Brian, are teachers for the Diocese of Orlando. 
Janina has two daughters, Ava (7) and Kendall (3). Her daughter Ava has Autism. Janina and her family are very active participants in the community for local Autism organizations. The journey of Autism has helped her in teaching and understanding that every child is unique and learns differently. She has been teaching at St. Joseph for 9 years. She enjoys coming to work every day, and feels blessed every morning to wake up and loves her job!

Email: jfreeland@stjosephwhschool.org


Diana Taliercio
Grade 1 Teacher

BS & MA both degrees from the University of Bridgeport

Diana Taliercio believes that she is right where she was meant to be.  After years of being asked if she was a teacher, she decided to become one.  Attending the University of Bridgeport, in Connecticut, Mrs. Taliercio earned a Bachelor of Science degree followed by a Master of Science in Elementary Education.  
In 2006, Mrs. Taliercio moved to Florida and became part of our teaching staff at St. Joseph Catholic School.  She quickly discovered two important things.  First, teaching is much more than a career, it is a vocation.  Second, St. Joseph is much more than a school, it is a family.  You will often find Mrs. Taliercio’s first graders using songs to support learning, puppets to demonstrate understanding, and activities to reinforce cognition.  Mrs. Taliercio capitalizes the FUN in fundamental learning.

Email: dtaliercio@stjosephwhschool.org 

Stacy Wells 
Grade 2 Teacher

BS & MA College of St. Rose
 
 Stacy M. Wells was born in Schenectady, New York and resided there until 2005.  After graduating High School, she went on to obtain her college degree in Education. She graduated in 1993 with a BS in Elementary Education and in 1996 with a Masters in Early Childhood Education from The College of Saint Rose. She was a Pre-K four teacher for a year and then became a stay at home mom. 

In 2005, she moved here to Florida and became a business owner for three years. Her two daughters attend St. Joseph and they are parishioners of the church. In 2010, she joined the St. Joseph faculty as a substitute teacher and then a classroom assistant to first grade. In 2011 she became a co-teacher in Language Arts in second grade.  In January 2013 Mrs. Wells became the math teacher for grades 4 and 5 and the 5A homeroom teacher.

Email: swells@stjosephwhschool.org
 
Mary Kay Swider
Grade 2 Teacher
 
BS from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Masters in Elementary Ed. Concentration in Reading from St. Leo University
Mary Kay Swider has been a member of St. Joseph’s Parish since May, 2006.  She enjoys teaching second graders at St. Joseph Catholic School and is currently teaching second grade for the sixth year.
Mrs. Swider has a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University.  She accomplished her Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Reading from St. Leo University, Florida.  She continues her professional development by participating in Kagan Workshops, NASA Kennedy Space Center Workshops, and NSTA (National Science Teachers’ Association) conventions throughout the United States.

Email: mswider@stjosephwhschool.org


Colleen Blanton
Grade 3 Teacher

BA University of South Florida

A third grade teacher at St. Joseph School, Colleen Blanton has her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. She is also certified as an Educational Media Specialist.  Prior to teaching third grade, Colleen was the Media Specialist. 
Colleen Blanton is a parish member here at St Joseph. She is a mother of four, two children currently attend and two are St. Joseph School alumni.  Colleen enjoys being able to teach at the same school her children attend and to worship at the same Church with many of her students.

Email: cblanton@stjosephwhschool.org


Francis Farrell
Grade 3 Teacher

BS Early Childhood/Elementary Education Chestnut Hill College

 Fran Farrell has taught at St. Joseph Catholic School for the last 6 years immediately following her move from PA with her husband, Mike.  Previously in PA she taught at Visitation BVM school in Philadelphia; after a brief child-rearing hiatus (4 children) she resumed her teaching career at Immaculate Conception school in Levittown, Bucks County, PA.  She attended Catholic schools in Philadelphia, graduating from Chestnut Hill College, cum laude, with a BS in Early Childhood/Elementary Education.  
During her 25+ years of teaching in Catholic schools, she has taught Pre-K through 6th grades.  Fran also served as the Coordinator for Religious Education at IC parish.  Although her family remains in PA (much commuting –both ways) she is happy being part of the St. Joseph family.

Email: ffarrell@stjosephwhschool.org
 


Lori Brousseau
Grade 4 Teacher

BS The University of Rhode Island

MS Wheelock College Boston, MA

Lori Brousseau joined our faculty five years ago, and had 18 years of previous experience in various aspects of the field of education. Not only was she an early childhood educator in the private systems for both RI and MA, but she also spent five years operating an early learning facility in MA.
After relocating to FL, Lori spent two years teaching in the Osceola county system. Lori’s educational background includes an AA in Early Childhood from Fisher College, Boston MA., a BS in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of RI, Providence RI and an MS in Early Childhood Education and Development with a concentration in Literacy from Wheelock College, Boston, MA.

Lori is deemed highly qualified by FL state standards possessing professional certifications in the areas of Early Childhood age 3 to grade 3 as well as Elementary Ed. K-6. and has also earned a basic level certification through the Diocese of Orlando Catechist program.

Email: lbrousseau@stjosephwhschool.org

 

Mari Lawlor
Grade 4 Teacher

BA Florida Southern College 

Mari Lawlor holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Southern College. She plans to work towards a Master Degree specializing in reading instruction, and continue to pursue foreign language and linguistic studies. Since 2009 she has been working as a certified Dance Instructor teaching Ballet, Jazz, and Tap to children at the Ballet Conservatory.

Email: mlawlor@stjosephwhschool.org
 
Lynn Thompson
Grade 5 Teacher

BA Queens University
 
 Lynn Thompson is a native Floridian who moved to Winter Haven in 1968.  While growing up, Lynn attended St Joseph Catholic School and graduated from Santa Fe High School in Lakeland.  She received her degree from Queens University in Charlotte, NC. Having traveled with her husband while he was in the military, Lynn has taught in Okinawa, Japan and New Mexico, before returning to Winter Haven and working in the Polk County Public School system. 

This is her 6th year at St. Joseph teaching Language Arts to 5th graders. She is a member of St. Matthew’s parish.

Email: lthompson@stjosephwhschool.org
 

 Janet Haley

Middle School Language Arts Teacher

BS and M.Ed Wayne State University
Janet Haley had been a teacher for over 20 years.  Mrs. Haley has a BS and an M. Ed. from Wayne State University and was an English major.

Email: jhaley@stjosephwhschool.org


 Joan Wurth
Middle School Religion Teacher

BS Radford University

Joan Wurth is a native of Virginia who has embraced the sunshine of the great state of Florida for the past 22 years.  Teaching has always been an important part of life with experiences including teaching Kindergarten and Middle School and working as a Director of Religious Education for many years.
  
Joan and family are active members of Holy Spirit parish in Lake Wales and help with the Council of Catholic Women, Bingo, Knights of Columbus and parish activities.  Education includes a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Radford University and many years of graduate school which include courses at the University of Tennessee, Catholic University, and Notre Dame Pontifical Institute.

Email: jwurth@stjosephwhschool.org

Robert Kenel
Middle School Social Studies Teacher

BA Fordham University

MA Hunter College 
 
 A native New Yorker, Bob Kenel has over 40 years experience in the Catholic Schools of Long Island and Florida.  He is a graduate of Fordham University in NYC where he earned his BA, and a graduate of Hunter College where he earned his MA.  Additional course work at various schools has enabled him to be certified in Florida in the following areas:  K-6, 7-12 Social Studies and Administration and Supervision. He also has earned religion certificates from the Dioceses of Rockville Centre, St. Petersburg and Orlando.  He is completing his 4th year at. St. Joseph. “ I’ve seen many  positive changes in students and education since I began teaching in 1968.  The best is our small class size at St. Joseph, since my first class had 50 4th graders in one class.”

Email: bkenel@stjosephwhschool.org

John Reilly
Middle School Language Arts Teacher

BA National Louis University

M. Ed. DePaul University
 
 John Reilly is one of the middle school's language arts teachers. This is his second year at St. Joseph Catholic School, but he has over ten years of Catholic school teaching experience.  Mr. Reilly taught middle school at two different Catholic schools in the Chicago area before moving to Florida in 2010. He has a bachelor’s degree from National Louis University and a master of education degree in teaching and learning from DePaul University in Chicago.
 
Mr. Reilly has worked in the corporate world, been a business owner, and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He has vast experience helping to prepare his middle school students for their futures. He and his wife, Mary, have six adult children and five grandchildren.

Email: jreilly@stjosephwhschool.org

Janel Magnole
Spanish Teacher

BA Boston University 
Janel Magnole, originally from New Jersey, moved to the west coast where her husband had employment. Wanting to move back to the east coast, she applied for teaching positions in Florida and New Jersey where she would be closer to family. She was confident that St. Joseph was where she was meant to be. Very soon after, her husband got a job in his area of expertise, so they packed up and moved to Kissimmee, Florida. Janel holds a B.A. in Spanish and a Certificate in Secondary Education from Towson University.

Janel has taught middle school Spanish in the public schools of New Jersey and Arizona, and is now in her fifth year here at St. Joseph. As a member of St Joseph Catholic Church, she feels blessed to be able to watch her two daughters, Alaina and Alivia, grow up in the family-oriented community of St. Joseph.

Email: jmagnole@stjosephwhschool.org


Charles Proctor
Middle School Math Teacher

BS  Iowa State University in Ames

MA  University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Charles Proctor has been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since moving to Florida in 1995. Mr. Proctor is active in the Church’s ministries and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.  All three of his sons had the privilege of attending St. Joseph Catholic School. While working for Winter Haven Hospital, Mr. Proctor returned to school to obtain his teaching certification.  He is in 12th year of teaching at St. Joseph’s, four years teaching 4th grade, and the rest as the middle school mathematics teacher.  

Mr. Proctor has enjoyed coaching the boys’ soccer and flag football teams for St. Joseph.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University and a Master of Arts degree from University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill.  He also completed further coursework for his teaching certificate from Florida Southern College.

Email: cproctor@stjosephwhschool.org


Carol Polkowski
Science Teacher

BS-Cleveland State University MA-Loyola University, New Orleans

MS-Nova Southeastern University

Carol Polkowski has taught at St. Joseph Catholic School for the over 25 years.  After teaching 3rd grade for 11 years, she moved to science where she has taught grades 4-8 for the past 14 years. She is also the Director of Religious Education at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Bartow. 

Mrs. Polkowski has a BS degree from Cleveland State University, a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Loyola University, New Orleans, and a Masters Degree from Nova Southeastern U. in Science Education.  All 5 of her children graduated from St. Joseph.  She is very excited to now have her daughter-in-law teaching at our school and her 2 grandchildren attending as well!

Email: cpolkowski@stjosephwhschool.org

 
 
Cathy Doty
Resource Teacher

BS Elementary Education Florida Southern University
 Cathy Doty is a long time member of St. Joseph’s Parish.  She enjoys teaching at St. Joseph Catholic School due to the wonderful family atmosphere and delightful children. 

Mrs. Doty has more than 30 years of teaching experience. She is a fourth grade homeroom teacher who teaches language arts and reading to all fourth graders and teaches religion, spelling and vocabulary to her homeroom students.  Mrs. Doty received her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Southern College in early childhood/elementary education.  She has also completed the course work for gifted education.

Email: cdoty@stjosephwhschool.org

Renee Brodwin
Music Teacher

BA College of Music, Detmold Germany

MA Manhattan School of Music
Renee Brodwin was born in the US and raised in Switzerland.  She studied in Germany where she received her Bachelor and Solist Degree and in New York where she received her Masters of Music (Orchestral Performance).  Mrs. Brodwin has also completed the Suzuki Degree.
  
Ms. Brodwin has played professionally in Orchestras around the world: Switzerland, Spain, New York, Hong Kong, and New York.  She moved to Florida in 2009 and lives with her husband and children.

Email: rbrodwin@stjosephwhschool.org

Katya Echenique
Technology Teacher

Aplin Videmanette Switzerland
 
Katya Fontalvo-Echenique was born in New York. She completed International Studies at Alpine Videmanette, Switzerland, holds a BA in Social Science with Concentration in Education from Ashford University and is currently a graduate student completing a Masters of Education with a specialization in Educational Technology Leadership.  Katya has two children, 11 and 8.  She moved to Central Florida in 2004 and enrolled her oldest son at St. Joseph Catholic School in 2004.   Her eight year old was a student in the first PK3 class at St. Joseph School in 2006.
  
Katya started working at St. Joseph Catholic School in 2006. She feels blessed to be able to give her children the Catholic education she received as a child, and to have a job where she can be at a Catholic school and watch children grow on a daily basis. Katya and her family are active parishioners at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Katya believes being in the classroom and being a part of the learning process is exciting and rewarding.

Email: kechenique@stjosephwhschool.org


Lori Edwards
Physical Education Teacher

B.S. Physical Education from California State University, Fullerton

Lori Edwards has been a member of St. Joseph’s Parish since 1986. She is an active member of her parish and plays in the bell choir. All of her six children are graduates from St. Joseph’s Catholic School. She has been a teacher at SJCS since 1994.  As the Athletic Director for the school, she has been instrumental in expanding and developing a competitive sports program for grades 5th through 8th.

Coach Edwards began her education at the University of Georgia. After marriage, she transferred and completed her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education at California State University, Fullerton. She teaches PE to students from Pre-K 4 to 8th grade. She is a yearbook advisor and a volunteer coach.

Email: ledwards@stjosephwhschool.org

Jena Homsey
Art Teacher

State University of New York at New Paltz
              

Jena is a transplant from New York where she taught art at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn.

She has a BS and MA from the State University of New York at New Paltz.  Her major for her BS was in art education and for her MA was Art Studio.  She also has a  Bachelor of Fine Arts from State University of New York at New Paltz.

Watching her students Art skills grow brings Ms. Homesey much enjoyment.

Email: jhomsey@stjosephwhschool.org

Nancy MacPhee
Media Specialist

BS Elementary Education Ball State University

M. Ed. University of South Florida
Media Specialist, Mrs. Nancy MacPhee, has over ten years of teaching experience.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Ball State University and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida.
  
Mrs. MacPhee, her husband Mark, and their three children have been active  members of St. Joseph Catholic Church for over ten years.

Email: nmacphee@stjosephwhschool.org


Ana Estevez
Guidance Counselor

BS University of South Florida

MS Indiana University Bloomington

Ana Estevez is the guidance counselor at St. Joseph School.  Mrs. Estevez is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who truly enjoys being a part of the school and helping kids in need.  She teaches the "Talking About Touching Program" yearly to students in all grade levels.  Talking about Touching is the Diocese of Orlando Safe Environment initiative for Catholic Schools.  Her daughter also attends St. Joseph Catholic School.

Email: aestevez@stjosephwhschool.org

 Office Staff

Biography


Teresa Breyer
Receptionist & Early Childhood Classroom Assistant

Marshall University

Teresa Breyer was born and raised in the Greenbrier Valley in southeastern West Virginia.  She attended Marshall University where she majored in Psychology and French.  She moved to  Pennsylvania to complete her education and met Mr. David Breyer (Kindergarten Teacher).  They married in 1993 and have two children, David James and Rebecca, both students attended St. Joseph Catholic School.  She has found the Church a source of great comfort and is very thankful for the education it provides for students of all ages.
  
Teresa loves working at St. Joseph because of the dedicated staff and great children.  When she is not working, she spends her time with her nose in a book or at a computer writing.

Email: tbreyer@stjosephwhschool.org


Susan Roberts
Secretary
BA Western Michigan University

Sue Roberts has been with St. Joseph Catholic School for over 20 years.  She moved here from Michigan and graduated from Western Michigan University.  She is a member of the St. Joseph Cantabile Choir, and enjoys spending time with her two granddaughters.

Email: sroberts@stjosephwhschool.org
 

Sandy Scharf
Sandy Scharf
School Financial Administrator
BA Rollins College

Sandy Scharf received her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Computer Science, from Rollins College.  She started her career as a technical support representative with CSI in Jacksonville, FL.  Her career moved to programming in the banking industry a few years later.  After marrying she moved to New Orleans, LA but  returned to Orlando 5 years later. 
  
After having children she was a stay at home mom for 10 years.  Sandy joined the staff at St. Joseph Catholic School just over 5 years ago, after being a volunteer in many capacities, since both her boys are enrolled at St. Joseph.   Her daughter will be joining her brothers when she is old enough to enroll.  In her spare time, she enjoy sewing and reading.
 
Email: sscharf@stjosephwhschool.org

Support Staff 

Biography

 Patti Berti
Classroom Assistant Science and Grade 3
 
Patti Berti has experience with children as a foster parent in Polk County.  Her two youngest children attend St. Joseph Catholic School.  
Mrs. Berti is the science classroom assistant.
Cynthia ArambarriAfter Care

Cynthia Arambarri

Nicole Bowles
Preschool Classroom Assistant
Nicole Bowles attended Catholic grade school and high school before attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Her family moved to Florida a few years ago and currently reside in Winter Haven.  
Nicole has three children who are students at St. Joseph and the family are members of the St. Joseph Parish.  Nicole is a Pre-K classroom assistant.  

Angela DePasquale
Cafeteria Assistant
Angela DePasquale was born and raised in Winter Haven, Florida.  She graduated from Lake Region High School. Angela is married and has two children that attend St. Joseph’s School.  She has worked in the kitchen for  three years, and enjoys working with the children  of  St. Joseph’s Catholic School.

Everett Evans
Custodian

Everett Evans was born and raised in Wisconsin, joining the US Navy out of high school. After serving his country including a tour of duty in Vietnam, He settled in the north east on the north shore of Boston. I started a working career with the GE Power Systems Division, retiring after 30 years. While working and raising a family he attended college at night to earn a degree in business administration. He and his wife relocated to Auburndale in 1999. 
Mr. Evans joined the staff at St Joseph school in 2001 as a part time Custodian. In his12 years at St. Joseph, Everett has observed many changes in the school and parish community.He has seen children grow to be fine young adults, becoming productive members of local communities, due to the dedicated  faculty and parents who choose St Joseph for their child's education.


Christine Hall
Classroom Assistant

Attended Columbus State University

Christine Hall was born in Columbus, GA where she graduated from Jordan High School.  She attended Columbus State University where she studied communications.
After Mrs. Hall married, she moved to Florida.  Mrs. Hall's two children attend St. Joseph.  She joined the St. Joseph family as a teacher assistant in preschool and also works with the preschool after care. 


Nellie Schwinkendorf
Classroom Assistant

El Paso Community College

Nellie Schwinkendorf was born in El Paso, Texas.  She was raised in Juarez, Mexico before moving back to El Paso.  While she lived in Mexico, she attended a Catholic School from elementary through high school.  After high school she enrolled in El Paso Community College.  She worked for the state of New Mexico and Colorado for eight years as a bookkeeper.  She was married in 1998 to her husband Jon and moved to Florida.  Nellie has one daughter.  
Mrs. Schwinkendorf is the preschool classroom assistant for 3 year olds and works with Kindergarten in the afternoon.  She has been at St. Joseph and additionally helps the school by serving as a translator for Spanish speaking families.  She loves the communtity and the Catholic identity of St. Joseph.


Debi Terzo
Classroom Assistant

Nassau Community College

Debra Ann Terzo was born and raised in New York.  After graduating high school, she attended Nassau Community College , majoring  in Marketing and Business while working in retail management.   Debra and her husband Joe moved to Winter Haven where they built a home, raised their son, Justin, and owned and operated their Italian restaurant, Villa Terzo.  Justin graduated from St. Joseph where Debra was a Room Mom and participated in many school functions.    Soon after, she became the First Grade teaching assistant and is now the teaching assistant in Kindergarten.


Tamara Westphalen      
Cafeteria Manager
 Culinary Degree from Southeastern Culinary Academy

Tamara Westphalen was born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut.  She moved to Florida at age 11 and lived in Orlando until she was married.  Her husband of 21 years, Chris, was in the US Navy, which allowed them to live in Massachusetts and Georgia.  They returned to Orlando and eventually moved to Auburndale.          
Tamara graduated as Valedictorian from Southeastern Academy in 2003.  She has worked with a French trained pastry chef, a Master Chef from Iceland and other European trained chefs.  She also worked as a teacher’s assistant at Good Shepherd Catholic School, in Orlando, where she loved working with the kids.  She is thrilled with her role at St. Joseph’s, as the Kitchen Manager, being able to cook and interact with the children every day.