+JMJ

Dear Ss. Peter and Paul School Families,

With great joy I would like to introduce you to the new teachers who have joined our faculty. Each one of them is dedicated to instilling in your children the truths of the Gospel and helping them to grow in every virtue and in the attainment of knowledge. Here is a snapshot of each of our incoming teachers:

Ms. Elizabeth Herbst, our incoming 2nd grade teacher, is a woman of deep faith and has nearly ten years of experience in caring for young children. She is a recent graduate from Franciscan University of Steubenville and is participating in the St. Thomas More Fellowship summer program. This program is designed for young teachers who truly love their Catholic faith and are dedicated to the unique mission of Catholic education. It provides them with  solid instruction in pedagogy to ensure excellence in the classroom.

Ms. Melissa Reyes, our incoming 3rd grade teacher, earned her B.A. in Vocal Studies from Loyola Marymount University and her M.A. in Theology and Educational Ministries from Catholic International University. She has four years of teaching in Catholic schools, and her musical training spans over a decade and includes singing, piano, and conducting.

Ms. Julie Flick, our incoming middle school ELA teacher, has over twenty years of experience as an editor, writer, tutor, and classroom teacher. She received her B.A. from UCI, completed a three year classical education apprenticeship for teachers with the CIRCE institute, and is just now completing her M.A. in Classical and Liberal Education at Belmont Abbey College.

Mr. Liam Grant, our incoming middle school math and science teacher, comes to us with extensive knowledge and experience in his field. After receiving a dual degree in math and philosophy from UCLA, Liam taught college algebra, IB physics, and calculus through the prestigious International Baccalaureate high school system. A devout Catholic, Liam then applied his expertise to serve as a Catholic high school teacher of AP pre-calculous, calculus, algebra II, and trigonometry. 

Frater Abraham is currently a seminarian at St. Michael’s Abbey and is just finishing his fourth year of studies for the priesthood. He graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy from Baylor University in 2022 before he joined St. Michael’s, and since joining the Abbey he has received solid instruction in the areas of history, Latin, philosophy, and theology. In addition to these intellectual pursuits, he enjoys art, music, and drama. We are blessed to have Frater Abraham with us this coming year to teach history, Latin, and religion to our middle school students.

These candidates whom we have selected vary widely with respect to their background and experience, but we discerned in each one a great love for Christ and the mission of forming young minds and hearts according to the pattern of their savior. We have selected them because we recognize in them academic talent, skill, and virtue, but most especially an understanding of that which matters most—the eternal salvation of your children. These men and women will provide rigorous academic instruction as well as a concrete witness of Christian discipleship.

Despite the challenges that this year has posed, I put my trust in God. He has blessed us, and he will continue to bless us. This school belongs to him, and I have every confidence that he will work wonders of grace in this place if we but put our confidence in him. I am full of hope and even excitement about what next year will bring, and I pray that you’ll decide to re-enroll your students so that they may benefit from all the blessings that God intends to bestow on us.

May God bless you abundantly,

Fr. Lazarus McDonald, O.Praem., Rector

___________________________________________________________________