Faculty & Staff
 |
Dave Keller, PresidentEducation: B.A. Economics, Manhattan College M.B.A., University of Arizona M.A. Educational Administration, University of Notre Dame - Mr. Keller is a 1978 graduate of Manhattan College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. After spending seven years on Wall Street as a Division Controller for an international bank, he earned his MBA from the University of Arizona in 1987. During his graduate studies he taught economics at the UofA, and later at Pima College. In 1989 he purchased a local software and publishing company, but returned to teaching in 2005 by earning his teaching certificate. He completed his Masters in Education through the Mary Ann Remick ACE Leadership Program at Notre Dame in 2009. Mr. Keller, in addition to being President at SACHS, is Principal at Our Mother of Sorrows, a position he has held since 2006. |
 |
Mrs. Lynn Cuffari, PrincipalEducation: BA Journalism from the University of Arizona Master’s in Education from Framingham State College - Mrs. Cuffari accepted the position of Principal at Saint Augustine High School in 2011 after serving as Principal of Immaculate Heart School for five years. Prior to this, she taught Middle School literature and English at Immaculate Heart. She has also taught at Immaculate Conception in Yuma and at St. Clement’s Episcopal School in El Paso. Prior to earning her Master’s in Education, Mrs. Cuffari worked for more than ten years as a journalist and editor for various newspapers and magazines throughout the country and in Italy. She is married to Joseph Cuffari, and they have one son, Joe, who recently graduated from the University of Arizona. Mrs. Cuffari enjoys writing and traveling. |
 |
Ms. Maryann McNeill, Director of FinanceEducation: A.A. With emphasis in Accounting, Edward Williams College B.S. Business Management, University of Phoenix - Ms. McNeill brings over 30 years of experience in the areas of finances, human resources, and marketing to the SACHS Community. She has worked for large international companies, state universities, and for local non-profits. SACHS gives her the opportunity to share her talents, her passion for education, her faith, and her belief in developing the whole person. She values her time with family and friends. She also enjoys hiking, swimming, bicycling, skiing, board games, crafts, and volunteering her time. Ms. McNeill's volunteer efforts have been with the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Habitat for Humanity, Primavera Foundation, Educational Enrichment Foundation, and the Reading Seed Program. She was educated in Catholic schools for 11 years and is excited to contribute to the mission of Catholic education. |
 |
Mr. Cal Montgomery, Director of FacilitiesEducation: University of Nebraska, B.S.Ed., University of Arizona, M.Ed. (Reading), University of Arizona, M.Ed. (Educational Media) - Teaching/Coaching History: Omaha North and Central HS (Omaha, NE) - English, Reading, Drama; Tehran American School - English; Pueblo HS (TUSD)- Reading, English, Speech, Drama, Television Production, Swimming Coach, Athletic Director |
 |
Ms. Katrina Powell, Director of Admissions & GuidanceB.A. in English and Secondary Education – Briar Cliff University, Iowa M.Ed. in Educational Counseling – University of Phoenix - Teaching/Coaching History: Mrs. Powell has worked in education for the past 15 years. She began her career as a science and math teacher at Immaculate Heart School. She then earned her master’s degree in Educational Counseling and accepted a position as School Counselor with the Sahuarita School District. After nine years, Mrs. Powell decided to come back to a Catholic school and is currently the Director of Admissions and Guidance at SACHS. She also coaches Varsity Cheer. Mrs. Powell and her husband Dustin have one son, Garrett, and have lived in Tucson for 15 years. |
 |
Mr. Mark Swenson, Athletic DirectorEducation: BS in Sport Administration from the University of Arizona MEd. Leadership from Northern Arizona University - Teaching/Coaching History: Mr. Swenson spent the last twelve years as athletic director of middle school and high school sports at St. Gregory. He coached middle school volleyball, soccer, flag football, and middle school and high school tennis. He led St. Gregory to the last four boys 1A state tennis titles and 2 of the last four girls titles. Mr. Swenson comes to St. Augustine after attending twelve years of Catholic School at St. Cyrils and Salpointe. Mr. Swenson’s wife, Laura, is a personal trainer and they have three children who enjoy all sports. Gabriel (14) and Brandi (11) will be attending St. Gregory. They spent their elementary years at St. Cyrils. Marcus Alexander (2) keeps the whole family busy. Their niece and nephew are recent St. Augustine alums. Mr. Swenson looks forward to assisting with the continued growth of the St. Augustine athletic program. |
 |
Mr. Jason Bermender, TheologyEducation: A.A. Liberal Arts, Lassen Community College B.A. Philosophy and Catechetics, Franciscan University of Steubenville Bachelor of Philosophy, Pontifical Lateran University M.A. Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville (pending) - I moved to Tucson last year from Steubenville, Ohio. During my time there I was able to complete my Master’s in Theology. While attending school in Ohio, I was blessed to be able to travel abroad in Europe for five months and visited many countries including Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Poland, and many others. What I have learned from those Catholic cultures I hope to pass on to my students and give them a broader perspective of what it means to be Catholic. I still enjoy traveling and love learning about new cultures and people. I am happy to be living here in Tucson and making occasional trips up Mt. Lemon to go hiking and enjoying nature. |
 |
Ms. Patricia Bradshaw, Social Studies/Visual ArtsEducation: B.A. Education, University of Arizona Teaching/Coaching History: Carson Middle School - Ms. Bradshaw loves art and history and she particularly enjoys sharing these subjects with others. She has had the opportunity to live and work abroad and has collected art and artifacts from all over the world. Her personal collection of art books exceeds 200 and she manages to add books too frequently. Ms. Bradshaw spends her summers pursuing more history and art: last summer was Hadrian’s Wall in England where she was able to participate in the ongoing archeological excavations for a week. She also spent time in Durham to admire the cathedral and bring back lots of pictures and literature. She draws and paints and has a penchant for recycling objects to give them a new life. Ms. Bradshaw has two cockatiels named Andre and Pinky. Pinky arrived in her yard one afternoon and stayed and greets her loudly when he hears the car arrive home. Andre is the boss however. She feels privileged to be able to teach at St. Augustine for the opportunities it provides to know and serve God through the children that are entrusted to the care of the faculty and staff. |
 |
Ms. Rosemary Bryerton, Spanish/FrenchEducation: BA Humanities, Major: French, Minor: Spanish, University of Arizona Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Education Teaching Certificate Program, Arizona State University - Teaching/Coaching History: Armstrong Academy and Immaculate Heart High School - After various teaching positions, most recently at Armstrong Academy and Immaculate Heart High School teaching French, Spanish, ESL and Writing, Ms. Bryerton took an eight year sabbatical from teaching to raise her three children. Now that her kids are all in school, Ms. Bryerton feels ready to teach part-time again and is thrilled to be teaching French and Spanish at SACHS and is ready to share her enthusiasm for foreign languages with her students. She has been married to Mark Schiff for 16 years. Their three children Christopher, Elissa, and Elijah are their proudest accomplishments. Her hobbies include reading, writing haiku poetry in English, French, and Spanish, baking gourmet cookies, swimming, cooking, and taking long walks. She also dreams of writing that Newbery Award winning children's book. |
 |
Mr. Arthur "Bud" Droegemeier, History/Curriculum DevelopmentEducation: Bachelors in Education - History Major / Coaching Minor (University of Arizona) 1977 Master of Arts School Administration (Chapman University) 1993 Arizona Community College Certificate 1998 - Teaching Experience – 35 years / Public and Private Coaching Experiences – Football, Swimming, Basketball, Track, Softball Interests – Reading, camping, golf, swimming, Arizona Basketball, playing with Chase. SACHS Experience – 5 years - Family – Married for 38 years to Eleanor, my soul mate, whom I have known since middle school / Three Children – Elisa, Sarah & Drew Family Dog – Chase (named after Chase Budinger – U.of A. basketball player) * He also loves to chase balls or anything else and bring them back. Favorite Quote: “winning is not everything, but making the effort to win is.” Vince Lombardi |
 |
Mr. Gerard Grunow, MathematicsEducation: BA Philosophy at St Meinrad College AA Digital Electronics at Pima Community College Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Education Teaching Certificate Program at Pima Community College. Previous Teaching/Coaching: I worked as a substitute for the past year and a half. Previous to that I worked for 30 years in Facilities Maintenance. I enjoy travel and have been all over the U.S. Except for Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. I was born and raised in Michigan. I moved to Tucson 32 years ago and met my wife here. We have two wonderful children. There are two things I miss about Michigan. The first is the portion of my family that still lives there, and the second is the Fall colors. I enjoy fixing things and reading. We have three desert tortoises as pets. |
 |
Mrs. Erin Vu, English/DanceEducation: BA in English Writing and History, Saint Mary's College M.Ed in progress from the University of Notre Dame - Previous Teaching/Coaching: Previous to working at SACHS, Mrs. Vu was a band director for two Catholic schools in South Bend, Indiana during her college years. She was also a dance teacher at Switzerland Dance Studio in Jacksonville, Florida. Mrs. Vu is the dance coach at St. Augustine, and she loves teaching in the desert. Her favorite part of Tucson are the sunsets which splash colors across the sky with the beautiful mountain backdrop. She is originally from Jacksonville, Florida where her family still resides, and she loves the sound of the ocean. She was a member of the University of Notre Dame marching and concert bands as a piccolo and flute player. Ms. Vu enjoys watching fighting Irish football as well as Red Sox baseball. |
 |
Mr. Robert Marusa, Social StudiesEducation: B.A. Secondary Education/History, University of Arizona Previous Teaching/Coaching: Mr. Marusa completed his student teaching at Salpointe Catholic High School. Mr. Marusa graduated from Catalina High School and the University of Arizona and he is an Arizona native except for his years in the Air Force. He felt a vocational call to teach seven years ago and feels that teaching is a great privilege. He is fully committed to engaging his students in Social Studies classes through dynamic lessons, simulations, and interaction. Mr. Marusa also sells Insurance on weekends and during summers and uses his real world business experience with his Economics classes. In addition, he firmly believes in using activators and simulations in his social studies classes to make history come alive for his students. |
 |
Mr. John Petrone, MathematicsEducation: BS Chemical Engineering from Ohio University, Athens, OH MS Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa MS Professional Management from Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL Previous Teaching/Coaching: After retiring from a career in engineering and retiring from the Army Reserves, Mr Petrone spent 8 years as an adjunct instructor at Scott Community College in Davenport, Iowa, teaching College Algebra, Statistics, and Engineering Calculations. Mr Petrone and his wife of 43 years have spent the free time that they have had traveling when possible. They have traveled extensively throughout the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, with one trip to Africa concluding their locations to date. Experiencing the different cultures and seeing the world's beauty has been a life long undertaking. Mr Petrone has been overwhelmed by the beauty of the American Southwest and has spent one week a year for the past 20 years day hiking in different areas of AZ, UT, CO, and NM. In his tenure at a community college in Iowa, he found teaching to be a very personally rewarding experience. So when he was asked to fill an unexpected teaching vacancy in Tucson early in 2010, the decision was an easy one. |
 |
Mr. Tony Piccotti, Physical Education/Health/TheologyEducation: Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Education - Arizona State University - May 2008 Bachelor of Science in Physical Education - University of South Alabama - May 2003. Teaching/Coaching History: 3 years of teaching physical education, health, and coaching baseball at St. Mary's Catholic High School in Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Piccotti came aboard the faculty of St. Augustine Catholic High School in January of 2009. Prior to teaching at St. Augustine, he taught physical education and health for three years at St. Mary's Catholic High School located in Phoenix, AZ. His education includes a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of South Alabama and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. He is excited and honored to be a part of the St. Augustine community and enjoys contributing to the continued success of the school. In addition to spending time with his wife, Lisa, and son, Ambrose, he enjoys reading, teaching, spending time outdoors, and exercising. |
 |
Ms. Mariel Takamura, English/Newspaper/YearbookB.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame M.A. in English from the University of Hawaii at Manoa - Previous Teaching/Coaching: Taught 6th grade English, social studies, and religion at St. Joseph Catholic School in Hawaii. Coached middle school girls' and boys' basketball and boys' volleyball. Taught Newspaper, American Lit., British Lit, and AP English Lit at Damien Memorial School in Hawaii (an all-boys Catholic intermediate/high school. I've gone to Catholic schools my whole life, from Kindergarten through my undergraduate degree at ND. In my spare time I like to watch the Food Network, play with my dogs, read, and play sports/lift weights. My favorite authors are Toni Morrison, John Steinbeck, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Haruki Murakami. My favorite poets are Pablo Neruda, W.S. Merwin, and E. E. Cummings. |
 |
Mr. Phong Vu, ScienceEducation: B.S. in Human Biology at Michigan State University M.Ed in progress from the University of Notre Dame - Previous Teaching/Coaching: Served as the JV and Varsity boy's basketball assistant coach. Orginally from Texas but spent most of his life in Michigan which is where his family currently is, Mr. Vu throughly enjoys the desert and the year round sun the climate provides. What he loves most about Tucson is the great food which he calls 'simply amazing'. His favorite thing about SACHS is being able to share his faith with the students and incoporate it into his lessons. A great passion of his is basketball and he loves being able to coach the students at SACHS. He enjoys watching sports and especially watching Michigan State basketball games. |
 |
Ms. Doreen Alderete, Advancement OfficePrevious Teaching/Coaching: Ms. Alderete has coached volleyball and track for Diocesan elementary schools. Ms. Alderete serves the school as an assistant in the Advancement Department. She also serves on the Advancement Leadership Council as a member for St. Augustine. She has had 12 years of banking experience and brings a zeal to helping the school thrive. She also has worked for three years doing national marketing for businesses. She is happily married to Ruben going on twenty years, has four wonderful children, whom three attend St. Augustine Catholic High school. She has her eldest daughter who is a Senior, eldest son who is a Sophomore and her youngest son who is a Freshman this year, and her youngest daughter who attends Our Mother of Sorrow Catholic School. Her hobbies are weekends enjoying her time off with her family and participating in all their children's sports at school & their club team sports as well. |
 |
Deacon Andy Corder, Campus MinisterA native of New Mexico, Deacon Corder moved to Tucson in 1981, by way of the United States Air Force, coming here from Fairbanks, Alaska. Deacon Corder is an Air Force Veteran, retiring after 20 years in the armed forces. Raised a Southern Baptist, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1983. He has three children, all currently living in the Tucson area. His oldest daughter recently returned from Micronesia where she worked for two-years with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, International. Deacon Corder and his wife Donna own and operate Fr. Kino's Corner, a Catholic Book and Gift store on the east side of Tucson. He is currently assigned to St. Francis de Sales and assists at Tucson Medical Center as well. His hobbies include genealogy, photography and history. |
 |
Mr. Luis Alberto Diaz, Facilities |
 |
Ms. Susan Spaniol, Registrar/ Office ManagerMs. Spaniol serves as the registrar and office manager at SACHS. She is the proud mother of four children, all who are in Catholic schools, with her eldest son being a sophomore this year at SACHS, save the youngest, who will be soon! She enjoys spending time with her children on the weekends. |
 |
Mr. Tino Veiga, Facilities |
 |
Ms. Robin Walsh, Health ClerkEducation: Nursing Vocational School - CNA/ Certified Nurses Assistant American Red Cross CPR/First Aid Certified. Previous Teaching/Coaching: Assistant Coach of the 2007 Our Mother of Sorrows Track & Field Team (Grades 4th – 8th). Ms. Walsh serves as the health clerk at Saint Augustine. She has been married for "25 wonderful years and still counting" and has two children. She also serves as the Treasurer for the Choir/Theater Performing Arts Board at SACHS. She enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, and boating. Once a month she plays Bunco with her friends. She has loved watching her children grow in their Catholic faith and their academic abilities at St. Augustine. Ms. Walsh also enjoys supporting and attending her children’s co-curricular activities in choir, theater and sports. She feels truly blessed to have such wonderful family, friends and co-workers. |
 |
Ms. Janel Heitz, ScienceEducation: BS Chemistry from Creighton University Chemistry from the University of Arizona. Currently working toward MA in Science Education from the University of Arizona. Mrs. Heitz grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and went to Creighton University where she majored in Chemistry. After graduating in December 2005, she spent a semester working at Cargill in a corn milling plant before moving to Tucson to go to graduate school at the University of Arizona. She received her MA in chemistry in 2008 and began teaching in the fall of 2008 for a small charter school. After her first year teaching, she entered a program at the UA for Math and Science teachers to gain industrial experience while working on a MA in Science education. For the past three summers, she has spent time taking classes and has been working at Texas Instruments. When she is not teaching or taking classes she and her husband enjoy traveling and site seeing. |
 |
Mrs. Cathy Meyer, SpanishEducation: BS in Education: Spanish from the University of Missouri. M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Cathy Meyer, a lifelong resident of Missouri, recently moved to Tucson with her husband of 24 years, Jerry, and their son, Andy. The whole family is continuing the Catholic school tradition that has been a part of their lives. Andy is a freshman at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN majoring in History/Social Science Education and running cross country. Jerry is Campus Minister at San Miguel High School. Mrs. Meyer has taught Spanish for 23 years and enjoys sharing her love of Spanish language and Hispanic culture with her students. In her free time, Mrs. Meyer enjoys spending time with family, reading, traveling, and hiking. |
 |
Mrs. Nancy Wilkinson, Theater ArtsBachelor’s in Fine Arts from Pacific Lutheran University. MA in Arts Education from Seattle Pacific University. Nancy Wilkinson (AKA “Ms. Wilks”) is happy to join the faculty at SACHS! She and her family recently moved to Tucson after teaching theater, English, art and yoga for several years in Washington State. She studied theatre arts at Pacific Lutheran University and has a master’s degree in Arts Education from Seattle Pacific University. She has directed 45 plays in high schools and community theatres. She acted in several community theatre productions and in two Hollywood movies. Besides her love for teaching, she has a passion for travel. Her favorite trips have been to study theatre and culture in India, South Africa and China. She just returned from Turkey (with her sister) this July. Mask and puppet theatre is another interest she hopes to explore with her new theatre students. And her love for music will be shared in many forms with the choir, guitar and piano students. She is thrilled to be a Wolf! |
 |
Mrs. Ann Cook, Business OfficeAnn Cook brings experience in the areas of finances and human resources to the SACHS Community. She has worked for non-profits in Ashburn, Virginia, the United States Army and the Federal government. She has a BA in Finance from Walsh College, Troy, Michigan. She is a wife and mother of three children. She also enjoys hiking, sewing, cooking and volunteering her time. She is excited to have the opportunity to assist and support SACHS in their mission to develop students who will become constructive members of society who will live and exemplify Catholic values. |
|
Ms. Becky Swivel, Advancement CoordinatorEducation: B.A. Journalism, University of Arizona Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Education Teaching Certificate Program at Pima Community College – in progress. Teaching/Coaching History: Ms. Swivel serves as St. Augustine’s Advancement Coordinator. Previous to working at SACHS, Ms. Swivel worked for a number of local organizations doing non-profit development. Ms. Swivel is a native-Tucsonan and appreciates the abundance of arts, culture, beautiful scenery and warm weather Southern Arizona has to offer. During her free time she enjoys spending time with loved ones, playing with her dogs, reading, and enjoying the great outdoors. |
