Holy Cross School is pleased to announce its team of lead teachers and academic department chairs for the 2018-2019 school year.
Academic department chairs are responsible for mentoring teachers in their discipline as well as supervising and evaluating department faculty in cooperation with the Dean of Teaching, Learning and Innovation and the Chief School Officer. They also supervise the development and implementation of the school’s curriculum and work with department faculty to ensure standards for each course are implemented effectively.
In 2018-2019, Holy Cross will implement two Lead Teacher positions in primary grade levels to work directly with teachers in designing and implementing learning activities employed in the classrooms. The lead teachers will serve as mentors to faculty in their respective grade levels and will ensure consistency in teaching techniques and curriculum.
Jaime Regan – Primary Lead Teacher (Pre-Kindergarten through 1st grade)
Jaime Regan will join Holy Cross School this coming year, after serving as the executive director and lead teacher for an early childhood center in New Orleans, where she managed a team of staff and teachers committed to the Reggio Emilio approach to teaching and learning. Regan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She will serve as the lead teacher for grades pre-kindergarten through first and will also be the classroom teacher for pre-kindergarten.
"I am beyond excited to be joining the Holy Cross teaching team this year! I am looking forward to working alongside the families as partners and diving deeper in the Reggio Emilia approach with my students and colleagues," Regan said.
Lisa Englert – Primary Lead Teacher (2nd through 4th grade)
Lisa Englert has been with Holy Cross since the opening of the primary campus in 2015. She will serve as the Lead Teacher for grades 2-4 and will also continue as the science teacher for grades 2-4. Englert attended Louisiana State University where she received a master’s degree in elementary education. She has ten years of experience teaching elementary and middle school science and is certified as a Project Lead the Way Master Teacher and trains teachers throughout the country.
“I am excited to take on a new role as the Lead Teacher of grades 2-4. I fully believe in the Holy Cross mission of educating the whole person and feel fortunate to help build the foundations of some of our youngest students,” Englert said.
Anne Chabreck – English Department Chair
Anne Chabreck received a bachelor’s degree in music and English literature from Loyola University New Orleans and a master’s degree from Louisiana State University. She has taught high school English at Holy Cross for nine years. Before Holy Cross, she worked for two years as a classroom teacher and ten years as a private educational specialist.
Maria Baisier – Fine Arts Department Chair
Maria Baisier teaches high school drama and English classes and serves as the director of the school’s theater program. Baisier received a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater from Dominican College and secondary certification in English from Tulane University.
Cindy Bourque – Mathematics Department Chair
Cindy Bourque has 31 years of teaching experience and has taught mathematics at Holy Cross School for the past 10 years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of New Orleans with a concentration in mathematical studies. Bourque currently teaches math to students in sixth and seventh grade and serves as the seventh grade moderator.
Adam Giglio – Physical Education Department Chair
Adam Giglio has been a coach at Holy Cross School for 11 years and has taught physical education to middle and high school students for the past eight years. He serves as head coach of the Holy Cross powerlifting team and will serve as the assistant head football coach. Giglio is an alumnus of Holy Cross School (Class of 2005) and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans.
Dr. Katherine Schilling – Science Department Chair
Dr. Katherine Schilling is in her seventh year at Holy Cross School and has been teaching for the past 10 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in biological sciences from Louisiana State University in 2011. Dr. Schilling is a Holy Cross parent with a son in the Class of 2029.
Michael Arvites – Social Studies Department Chair
Michael Arvites is the Social Studies Department Chair and taught at Holy Cross School since 2009, including courses in world geography, world history, journalism, U.S. history, and AP European history. Additionally, next year he will teach a World War II course as a result of his being the only teacher in Louisiana selected for The National WWII Museum Summer Teacher Institute: Team Europe 2017-2018. Arvites is a graduate of Holy Cross School (Class of 2004) and received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of New Orleans. Arvites also serves as an assistant basketball coach and has experience as a sports writer with the Times Picayune.
Dr. Tim Kettenring – Theology Department Chair
Dr. Tim Kettenring is the Theology/Religion Department Chair and teaches high school theology courses. He holds several advanced degrees in religious studies including a bachelor’s degree from Colorado Christian University, a master’s degree from Notre Dame Seminary-Graduate School of Theology, a second master’s and doctorate from Denver Seminary. He has more than ten years in education and has served Holy Cross for the last five. Dr. Kettenring is also a graduate of Holy Cross School (Class of 1977).
Natalie Garrett – World Languages Department Chair
Natalie Garrett is a Spanish teacher who has taught at Holy Cross School for the past five years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish language and culture and child development and psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to coming to Holy Cross, Garrett worked in early childhood education.
About Holy Cross School
Holy Cross School is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school founded in 1849 by the Congregation of Holy Cross School to educate young men from metropolitan New Orleans. Serving students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12, Holy Cross School is fully accredited by the Louisiana State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and holds memberships in the National Catholic Educational Association, the National Middle School Association and the National High School Association. A Holy Cross School education engages the whole man – mind and heart, body and soul – and is rooted in the teachings of Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. For more information about Holy Cross School visit www.holycrosstigers.com or call 504.942.3100.