Our Staff

Mrs. Dawn Boryszak

 

 

Mrs. Theresa Rooney
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
My philosophy as a kindergarten teacher is to create a place where students, teachers,and families work together to meet and exceed the child’s academic goals. Students are encouraged to create,explore,and to set simple personal goals in kindergarten.This practice helps them begin to take ownership of their education and develop the mindset that they can accomplish amazing things!  Kindergarteners will be given the tools needed for academic success and develop a love of learning.

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Mrs. Erica Grad
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
​I believe in the importance of creating a warm and welcoming classroom environment for my students. A large focus of mine is bringing a  sense of community into the learning environment, where students are able to learn and grow together. I understand that each student learns, thinks, and visualizes differently and therefore, I provide a classroom that encompasses the variety of abilities, needs, and learning styles that my students possess.

I aim to build a classroom in which my students have the opportunity to imagine and innovate for themselves. I want them to be able to explore, raise questions, and express themselves. I strive to create engaging lessons that capture my student’s interests, and provide them with opportunities to work and discuss together. My goal is to help my students reach their full potential, while also cultivating a love of learning. Together in a classroom, when we create that respectful and energetic atmosphere, students become their best selves to succeed in the community and future.

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​

 

 

Miss Taylor Gawron
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
I believe the children are our future…
Each and every child has the potential to bring something unique and special to the world. As an educator, I will help students to develop their potential by believing in them as capable individuals. I will assist in discovering who they are, so they can express their own beliefs and nurture their own ideas. I have a vision of a world where we the people learn to respect, accept, and embrace the differences between each other.

Every classroom presents a unique community of learners that varies not only in abilities, but also in learning styles. My role as a teacher is to give children the tools in which to cultivate their own gardens of knowledge. To accomplish this goal, I will teach to the needs of each child so that all learners can feel capable and successful. I will present curriculum that involves the interests of the children and makes learning relevant to life. I will incorporate themes, integrated units, projects, group work, individual work, and hands-on learning in order to make children active learners. Finally, I will tie learning into the world community to help children become caring and active members of society.

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Mrs. Sabrina Mau

 

 

 

Miss Tiffany Cacho
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
​I believe that each child is unique and learns in different ways. It is my job as an educator to provide a nurturing, engaging, safe, and fun environment for my students to thrive and accomplish goals to their fullest potential. I know that children learn in many different ways, so I strive to provide them with various tools they will need to succeed within their own individual learning styles. My goals are to establish life-long learners who love learning and have the tools needed to succeed in the future.

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Mrs. Chelsea Miller

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Mrs. Katie Vance, Math/Social Studies
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach
Mrs. Vance wants all of her third graders to LOVE Math as much as she does.  A firm believer in dynamic, differentiated instruction, she is passionate about connecting with each and every one of her students, observing where they excel and where they struggle, and adapting her approach to their individual needs.   She knows that the greatest teachers never stop learning, growing, and exploring, themselves.  
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Miss Emma Farrell (Long Term Sub), ELA/Science

 

 

Miss Bridget Herod, 3-5 Religion
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
As an educator, I empower students to take charge of their learning in a supportive environment, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking. I design engaging lessons and promote discussion about religious values. My commitment to fostering an inclusive classroom that values diversity and meets each student’s needs is unwavering. As a lifelong learner, I strive to inspire my students to become compassionate thinkers who positively impact their communities.”For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37

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Mrs. Lauren White, ELA/Social Studies
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
“It’s not what is poured into students that counts, but what is planted” is a quote by Linda Conway and I couldn’t agree more. As teachers, we are to be the guides in our students’ learning experiences and allow them to have the opportunities to create their own learning.  Hands-on learning, working with classmates, and showcasing student work is a big part of my beliefs as an educator.  Our students all have different learning preferences and my goal is to make sure the students in my class feel comfortable with their learning and are always working towards their academic goals.  Helping students to find a path through their learning experiences and holding them accountable is a huge part of teaching and something that I always strive to follow.
​
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Ms. Cassandra Webster, Math/Science

 

 

Miss Bridget Herod, 3-5 Religion
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
As an educator, I empower students to take charge of their learning in a supportive environment, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking. I design engaging lessons and promote discussion about religious values. My commitment to fostering an inclusive classroom that values diversity and meets each student’s needs is unwavering. As a lifelong learner, I strive to inspire my students to become compassionate thinkers who positively impact their communities.”For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37

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Mrs. Cheryl Griffin, 5th & 6th Gr. ELA
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
I believe each child is a unique individual who has the ability to learn and who deserves to do so in a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment. It is my desire as an educator to serve as a guide for each child to learn and grow to their fullest potential. I strive to do this by developing their natural love of learning, teaching them how to take an active part in their education, and preparing them to learn for life rather than for graduation.
​
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Mrs. Kara Boyd, Social Studies/Science/STEM
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
I believe that no two children learn in exactly the same way or pace. I use multiple teaching strategies and techniques to engage each student. I strive to find ways that help to motivate and engage the all students during the lesson.  I am always willing to take time to help them to discover what works best for them.
I also believe that the classroom should be a setting for students to learn how to be responsible and respectful both inside and outside of school. I have the students work in pairs or groups  to help them learn how to work with others. My hope is that they will grow academically, emotionally, socially and spiritually throughout the year.

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Mrs. Sally Manley, 5-6  Math
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
“When we teach our children moral and spiritual integrity, we give them foundations of strength and wisdom to face any issue that may come up in their lives.”
​
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Miss Bridget Herod, 3-5 Religion
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
As an educator, I empower students to take charge of their learning in a supportive environment, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking. I design engaging lessons and promote discussion about religious values. My commitment to fostering an inclusive classroom that values diversity and meets each student’s needs is unwavering. As a lifelong learner, I strive to inspire my students to become compassionate thinkers who positively impact their communities.”For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37

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Mrs. Cheryl Griffin, 5th & 6th Gr. ELA
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
I believe each child is a unique individual who has the ability to learn and who deserves to do so in a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment. It is my desire as an educator to serve as a guide for each child to learn and grow to their fullest potential. I strive to do this by developing their natural love of learning, teaching them how to take an active part in their education, and preparing them to learn for life rather than for graduation.
​
​Visit Mrs. Griffin’s website
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Mrs. Sally Manley, 5-6  Math
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
“When we teach our children moral and spiritual integrity, we give them foundations of strength and wisdom to face any issue that may come up in their lives.”
​
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Mr. Thomas O’Leary, Social Studies

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Mrs. Hilary Ungaro, Spanish
Philosophy and Educational Approach: 
I believe in each of my students and strive to help them be successful. I enjoy creating an active environment in the Spanish classroom that encourages students to utilize the language. I believe students learn best when they are involved actively in the class. The activities presented will include reading, writing, speaking and listening to the language.

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Mr. James Bobak, Religion

 

 

Mrs. Kris Whelan, Science
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
​I believe that a teacher should act as a guide to the amazing world in which we live and that the classroom should be a safe, judgement-free environment that will stimulate learning. All students can learn. They may learn in different ways and at different rates, but they can learn, nonetheless. In my classes, I promote an open, risk-free atmosphere so that the students are not afraid to ask questions or respond during discussions. I also believe that it is important to demonstrate the connections between subject areas. I bring in history, math, religion, geography, literature and art into my science classes and also expect students to adhere to standard writing rules in lab reports and written work. My goal is for students to embrace learning and become life-long learners no matter where their paths may take them.
​
I also want students to learn how to ask the right questions. They should not be expected to have the exact same questions as others. In my inquiry based science class, the students will become familiar with experimental design. They will formulate research questions and will design experiments that will answer those questions. They will learn that sometimes, a hypothesis is “wrong” and that it’s ok if it is. They will learn problem solving skills that will help them think critically, no matter what subject they may be studying. Students will learn that REAL science is not done from cookbooks and that it is messy, time consuming and extremely rewarding. My students will DO science, not just learn about science.​

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Mr. Paul Martin, 7th/8th Reading/Writing

 

 

Mr. Matthew Garozzo, 7th/8th Math/Pre-Algebra & Algebra
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
My name is Matthew Garozzo. This will be my tenth year teaching mathematics and I am excited to be working at Queen of Heaven this year and with your children. I’m looking forward to doing some math projects this year that really demonstrates the curriculum and help to keep the students engaged and help further their understanding.

I have high expectations of my students and realize that math can be very frustrating at different times for different students, and I take great pride and joy in proving to students that they are capable of tackling any problem when enough effort is put in.

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Mrs. Annette Darling – Art
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
I believe that God created each soul, not only in his own image but each uniquely.  Each learns and understands in their own way using the gifts and talents God has given them. Sometimes we’re not even aware of all the talents we were given by God, so opportunities must be provided to discover them.  As an Art teacher, I believe that by providing exposure to different mediums and the many different ways to use them, as well as the opportunity to explore with them, students can discover their own gifts and talents.  In learning about and exploring past and present Artists, students can also see and understand how art can be an integral part of their own daily lives. God himself created from the very beginning and gives each child a chance to create their own art. By creating opportunities for students to see, explore, understand, imagine, develop, create, and appreciate, they will discover how art is a gift and talent they possess. Enabling students to journey through their daily lives and develop art as a personal way to express themselves, they will build skills, have a visual voice, be innovative, boost their confidence and self esteem, as well as develop problem solving and creative thinking skills. I also believe, through creating art, it provides  the opportunity for them to process their individual experiences and emotions. Through integration of art in different academic subject areas, as well as Religion, these opportunities provide a chance to develop a higher level of thinking and appreciation for their gifts and talents.

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Mrs. Lindsay Schieber – Spanish PreK – Grade 5

 

 

Mr. Joseph Morgan – Physical Education
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
I believe that the Physical Education curriculum must be diverse enough to allow every student the opportunity to participate in activities which provide success and enjoyment.  Through the Physical Education experience the individual should have the opportunity to develop cooperation, tolerance, sportsmanship, leadership, loyalty, respect and honesty.  Physical Education is also provides a revenue to develop personal living skills, knowledge and skill acquisition and the development of a personal value system which act as necessary catalysts in the development of an individual becoming an informed, healthy, productive and concerned citizen.

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Mrs. Pilar Ralabate
PE Aide

 

 

Miss Amy Lynn Minias, Technology & Dance

 

 

Mr. William Texido – Music
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
I like to create an atmosphere that promotes music literacy for all ages and encourages all students to connect with music aurally, visually and kinesthetically. Music is a valuable part of life and it is important to understand that music is a reflection of society and that sometimes society imitates music. Playing, composing, listening to and critiquing music are all essential in creating a well balanced musical life.

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Ms. Jane Brod – Library

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Mrs. Linda Wach – Academic Intervention Services
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach:
I believe each student is a unique individual and should be recognized for their distinctive contributions. Within that framework, I also realize students have diverse learning styles. My goal for the AIS program is to assist students in reaching their highest learning potential while supporting their individual learning styles. I envision literacy success for all students at Queen of Heaven and will strive to achieve this goal so all students can reach their goal for success.

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Mrs. Alexa Geary, MS.
School-Based Services
Catholic Charities of WNY

Email: ageary@qofhschool.org

Principal: Mrs. Mary Damico
mdamico@qofhschool.org

 

Secretary: Debbie Joseph
​debbiejoseph@qofhschool.org

 

Nurse: Rada Sinik
​rsinik@qofhschool.org

 

WS Special Education: Mrs. Molly Patterson

 

Cafeteria Manager: Lisa Salvini