Mission Statement

St. Theresa School in Briarcliff Manor, New York was founded in 1965 and is the Parochial Elementary School of St. Theresa Parish. St. Theresa School provides a Catholic education for children in Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, who reside in Briarcliff Manor and surrounding school districts. St. Theresa School is part of the elementary school system of the Archdiocese of New York. We implement all policy promulgated by the Office of the Superintendent of Schools of the Archdiocese of New York and we are ultimately responsible to the Archbishop of New York.

Saint Theresa School is accredited by the Middle State Commission of Elementary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The MSCES is a membership organization of educational communities that have made a public commitment to upholding standards of educational quality and to continuously developing methods to improve student performance. MSCES schools are found in both the MSCES Registry and The International Registry.

According to the MSCES, “The immediate experience of visitors to Saint Theresa’s is that of community. The school is intimately involved with the lives of the families of children who attend as well as on the life of the parish. It is very common for Catholic Schools to put forth community as their hallmark. But if there can be degrees of that sense of community, Saint Theresa would rate extraordinarily high.”

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Curriculum

Teachers

Mrs. Kristine Adams
Mrs. Roxanne Alvarez
Mrs. Teresa Berrisford
Mr. Gary Bratt
Mrs. Marie Bratt
Ms. Julie D’Elia
Mrs. Linda Delicce
Mrs. Victoria DiBiasi
Mrs. Diana Jones
Mrs. Catherine Lapicki
Mrs. Mary Maguire
Mrs. Giovanna Mugrace-Taylor
Mrs. Maria Soledad Pauli
Mrs. Philomena Prior
Mrs. Emilia Randazzo
Mrs. Kimberly Sullivan
Mrs. Cecilia Walsh
Mr. Joseph Alcruz

Mrs. Kristine Adams
kristine.adams@sissttheresa.org 

Art, grades pre-K - 8
I have taught Art at Saint Theresa School in Briarcliff, NY for the past three years. Prior to that I taught at the Torbank Nursery School. I am an artist who treasures the opportunity to share my love of art with children. I believe that affording the children the tools and the opportunity to express themselves creatively each day is a very valuable component to their educational experience.
I began my career as an Art director in the packaging industry. My responsibilities included delivering art for my clients ready for production and following through to press runs. I then moved on to work in graphic design at Cadbury Beverages in the soft drink division, working on such products as Schweppes and Sunkist.
I earned my Bachelors Degree in fine Art with a minor in psychology from SUNY Oswego. My postgraduate work has been from the College of New Rochelle in Elementary Education, Art Education and Art Therapy.

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Mrs. Roxanne Alvarez
roxanne.alvarez@sissttheresa.org

Physical Education, grades pre-K - 8
I've been teaching for physical education for eleven years. I graduated with a B.S. from the King's College in Briarcliff, where I obtained a degree in Physical Education, Health and Recreation with a teaching certification in K-12th grade. Immediately following graduation I became an officer's wife and was deployed to Nuruberg, Germany -- where I taught at Nuruberg American H.S. for three years.
The following year I was employed as the Sports Director for the recreation department in Furth Germany GS9.
After a break of raising three children, I joined the Archdiocese at Saint Patrick's and Saint Theresa's for the past eight years.

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Mrs. Teresa Berrisford
teresa.berrisford@sissttheresa.org

Eight Grade | Social Studies, Math, Literature, grade 8
I have taught here at STS in some capacity for many years. I received my B.S. from Boston College where I majored in elementary/special education and then went on to obtain my MsEd from Fordham University specializing in LD/ED. At STS I have taught both 4th and 6th grades self-contained classes as well as major subjects in the departmentalized upper school.
STS has given me many gifts -- a wonderful environment to work in, supportive administration and faculty, children who have enriched my life and a phenomenal education provided to my own two children.
STS is special -- that's why I'm still here!!

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Mr. Gary Bratt

Music, grades K - 8
A resident of Ossining and communicant of St. Theresa Church, I have been on the teaching staff of STS as the music teacher for twenty years.
I am currently the Music Director of St. Theresa Church as well as choir master and organist. I have served in this capacity for twenty-one years.
I founded and direct the Old Mill singers, a community choral group serving the Westchester area.

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Mrs. Marie Bratt

Language Arts, grades 6 - 8
I am a lifelong resident of Ossining and communicant of St. Theresa Church. I joined the STS teaching staff in 2001 as the Language Arts teacher for grades 6-8.
Previously I taught the social sciences at Ossining High School for twenty-five years and served as a coordinator for the General Electric College Bound Program. I am currently an adjunct assistant professor of history at Pace University in Pleasantville.

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Ms. Julie D’Elia

Director, Afterschool Program and Summer Camp
Ms. D’Elia has been working at St. Theresa’s for more than 17 years.

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Mrs. Linda Delicce
linda.delicce@sissttheresa.org

Seventh Grade | Math, grade 5 - 7, 9 | Religion, grades 6, 8 | Confirmation, grade 8
I am a graduate of the College of Mt. St. Vincent, Riverdale, N.Y. For the past twenty-four years it has been my privilege and blessing to be part of the STS Faculty. I still continue to love teaching Religion and Math. It is a special gift to have prayer and spiritual development be a part of your daily work activities.

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Mrs. Victoria DiBiasi
victoria.goldmann@sissttheresa.org

Sixth Grade | Computers, grades pre-K - 8 | Science, grades 5 - 7, 9 | Literature, grade 6
This is my eleventh year teaching in a Catholic School. After graduating from Siena College with a B.A., I began teaching in Mount Vernon, N.Y. I went on to receive my M.A. from Manhattanville College and I am certified in Elementary Education with an extension in Mathematics. This is my 7th year at St. Theresa School. As a teacher here I am inspired by the learning, love and support that takes place here on a daily basis!

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Mrs. Diana Jones
diana.jones@sissttheresa.org

First Grade
I received my B.A. from Lehman College and my M.S. degree from Iona College. I have been teaching full time since 1987 and at St. Theresa School since 2002. Before that I worked part time as a resource and substitute teacher while I was raising my family.

My experience has enabled me to teach at every grade level from Nursery School to 8th grade, but I'm happy to be doing what I most enjoy -- First Grade.

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Mrs. Catherine Lapicki
catherine.lapiciki@sissttheresa.org

Pre-Kindergarten 4 and 3
I've been teaching for 23 years, 19 years at St. Theresa School as a Pre-K teacher and kindergarten for several years before. I am a graduate of Marymount College and attended Fordham University for graduate courses.
I am a parishioner of St. Theresa Parish. My 3 girls graduated from St. Theresa School. I live in Ossining with my husband, Michael.

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Mrs. Mary Maguire
mary.maguire@sissttheresa.org

Third Grade
The environment and values of Catholic Education have been a part of my life since I was five years old. I can not remember a time that I did not want to teach and have been in Catholic Education for thirty-six years. This is my seventh year at St. Theresa School. St. Theresa's is my parish and it gives me great pleasure to be teaching here. I enjoy learning new things as much as I enjoy teaching new things to my students.
My own joy for learning has been a labor of love as I obtained my teaching certificates. They include: Teacher for Nursery, Kindergarten and Grades 1-6 and Reading Teacher for grades K-12.
Most recently I was certified as a School District Administrator and worked as an assistant principal and principal before moving back to my first joy which is teaching young children. I have also obtained Level One and Level Two Certification as a Catholic School Catechist. On July 4, 2009, I married John Maguire, thus obtaining my latest title, Mrs.
I have no children of my own but have worked with thougands of children through my years of educational service, having been called "Mom" many times.

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Mrs. Giovanna Mugrace-Taylor
giovanna.taylor@sissttheresa.org

Second Grade | Sacramental Program Director: Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist
I am a graduate from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY where I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and English. I then obtained a Master's Degree from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA.
I have been on board with the Saint Theresa community since 1999. Through the sacramental instructions in Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, I am privileged to be actively involved in the formation of each child's spirituality!

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Mrs. Maria Soledad Pauli

Spanish, grades pre-K - 8
¡Hola! My name is Maria Soledad Pauli and I am very proud to be the Spanish teacher at Saint Theresa School since 2002. I was born, raised and educated in Argentina where I took up English as my career and became an ESL teacher. I was appointed coordinator and teacher instructor on examination tasks. I worked as a writer of technical publications, but my true passion has always been teaching!
 
I have been very fortunate over the course of my twenty five years due to my career to make sure a foreign language and the many benefits associated with it are part of a student's education and development. Studies show that learning another language enhances the academic skills of students by increasing their abilities in reading, writing and mathematics even in their native language. The benefits of learning a foreign language are superior and can improve many aspects of a person's life greatly.

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Mrs. Philomena Prior
philomena.prior@sissttheresa.org

Fourth Grade
My undergraduate degree is from Iona College in New Rochelle. In 1993, I completed a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Manhattanville College in Purchase. I hold permanent teaching certification from the State of New York in Elementary Education and for the last fifteen years I have had the good fortune to teach the fourth grade at St. Theresa School.

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Mrs. Emilia Randazzo
emilia.randazzo@sissttheresa.org

Fifth Grade | Religion, grade 7
My name is Emilia Randazzo. I became part of St. Theresa's community in January of 2003. I graduated in 1979 from Mercy College with a BS in Psychology and a certification in elementary education K-6. I worked 15 years at St. John the Baptist in Yonkers. While there I received my Level 1 & 2 Catechetical Formation Certificate and taught 2nd grade Communion Prep. I also received a certificate for CRE (Coordinator of Religious Ed). I was a CRE at Most Holy Trinity and Resurrection. I believe that all children bring gift and talents to the table. I am blessed and honored to work in such a spiritual environment and thankful to share my faith with them.

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Mrs. Kimberly Sullivan
kimberly.sullivan@sissttheresa.org

Kindergarten
I received my bachelor's degree in childhood education grades 1-6 from Iona College. After that I went on to obtain my master's degree in Childhood Special Education from the College of New Rochelle. Throughout my studies, I spent time in numerous Westchester County public elementary schools student teaching. I was able to experience all of the childhood elementary grade levels, as well as second, third and fourth grade special education. When my studies were completed, I was asked to be an assistant professor at the College of New Rochelle. There, I assisted graduate level students in creating specialized lesson plans to meet the specific needs of the students that attended the "Can Do" after school program. Since 2004, I have had the pleasure of teaching third grade at St. Theresa's School.

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Mrs. Cecilia Walsh
cecilia.walsh@sissttheresa.org

School Nurse | Teacher Assistance, grade pre-K 4
Mrs. Cecilia Walsh is received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Misericordia University. She is registered with the Public Health Nurse Westchester County Department of Health. She has been employed by Briarcliff School District and Saint Theresa School for more than 18 years.

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Mr. Joseph Alcruz
Joseph.Alcruz@sissttheresa.org

Third Grade
     I joined our faculty in 2011. I have received my B.A. in Classical Civilizations from Fordham University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. After seven years working in both the public and private sectors, I returned to Fordham University for additional graduate studies, receiving my M.S.Ed. in 2003, with a specialization in Elementary Education.
     I have taught at Public School 43 in New York City, Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan, the Archdiocesan High School and Middle School in Warsaw, Poland, and Sacred Heart School in Highland Falls, NY.
     A guitar and songwriting enthusiast for more than two decades, I am actively involved in music ministry for several Catholic prayer communities, and serve as a cantor at St. Mary's Parish in Closter, NJ.

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Staff

Reverend Monsignor James K. Vaughey
Pastor

Mrs. Donna Sutton
Principal

Mrs. Sutton’s Bio:

I am so excited and honored to begin my first year as principal of St. Theresa School! This we be my sixth year as a Catholic School Educational/Instructional leader and Administrator. Prior to my becoming an instructional leader, I taught in both Catholic and public schools for over 16 years.

My passion for teaching and learning has been a life-long journey that continues to this day. I feel so blessed that I have the most creative and wonderful vocation of all – to be surrounded by children and young adults every day; to watch the beautiful interactions that take place daily between our dedicated faculty and their students; and to be able to tap into my deep faith, spirituality and experience, to ensure that our students are receiving the highest quality Catholic education possible.

I received my Masters Degree in teaching, and as a reading specialist, from St. John’s University in 2001. I hold a permanent certification to teach in New York State. I went on to St. Thomas Aquinas College in 2009 for my second Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and received my SBL (School Building Leader) certification From the NYS Board of Education in 2010. I have taught all subjects and many grades, especially middle school. I believe that teaching and learning is dynamic, creative, exciting and should be filled with opportunities to explore, question and to grow in a safe and nurturing environment. I maintain that the teaching of higher order critical thinking skills is essential to ensure greater depth in how the curriculum is delivered and received.

I believe that all children can and will learn. They are all unique and beautiful gifts from God. We just need to employ the best practices in educational research to help them achieve that goal and to firmly root them in our faith and values. If students do not learn the way we teach, we must teach them the way they learn. With this in mind, I am deeply committed to employing varied teaching strategies in the classroom, especially: Differentiated Instruction, formative assessment, Understanding By Design (Backward Design – begin with the end in mind), and a true understanding of learning styles and how to employ varied modalities to reach students in their preferred learning style. This requires teachers to be on the cutting edge of the latest “best practices”. I make sure that I am the conduit to support out faculty as they deliver these strategies to teach our rigorous curriculum successfully in all our classrooms.

I am steadfast to Catholic education and to partnering with our supportive parents, parish and community. Please join with me as we undertake this exciting adventure together! We have set several goals for our school, and we will be reporting and communicating with our St. Theresa family regularly, as to our progress in achieving these goals.

May God bless us and give us strength and courage, as we prepare our young people to depend on their faith in meeting the many challenges of our world. May we always strive to provide our students with the means to become faithful Catholics/Christians, loving family members and compassionate, responsible leaders of their communities.

Reverend L. Praxid DeSilva
Parochial Vicar

Mrs. Margaret Ricci-Breen
School Secretary

Mr. John DiPaolo
Maintenance Custodian

Mrs. Eileen Conney
Full-time Lunchroom Cook

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