Staff

T

he staff at St. Alban's Preschool and Kindergarten is well qualified for the positions they hold. Teachers have Bachelor's degrees in early childhood, elementary education or a closely related field, with or without certification, plus extensive teaching experience. Teaching assistants have a minimum of a high school diploma, (many have a Bachelor's degrees or higher) and previous successful work with young children. Each staff person is required to participate in a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education per year. Every effort is made to ensure staff stability.

Meet Our Staff

Kindergarten/Bridges Staff

Colleen Fabel Epstein
Colleen Fabel
Epstein

Colleen is the Acting Director of St Alban's. Colleen became a Lead Teacher at St. Alban's in 2006. She has been teaching young children since 1983. She is finishing her degree in Early Childhood Education at Northern Arizona University. Colleen enjoys working at St. Alban's, especially the moments when children figure things out for themselves and the sparks fly. When not at school, Colleen is a referee for the Arizona Athletic Association.

Carleen Young
Carleen
Young

Carleen joined St. Alban's staff as an Assistant Teacher in 2006. Carleen is working on her degree in Elementary Education with a content emphasis in Early Childhood Education. Carleen likes St. Alban's because the kids are happy and glad to be here.

PreK

Kari Van Oort
Kari
Van Oort

Kari came to St. Alban's in 2004. She is a Lead Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program. Kari graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Elementary Education. Kari is continuing her education and takes Early Childhood classes at Pima Community College. Kari enjoys working at St. Alban’s because she loves teaching kids. In her spare time, Kari coaches cheer at Canyon del Oro.

Marsha Larson
Marsha
Larson

Marsha came to St. Alban's in 1999. She has been an Assistant Teacher in our Kindergarten and is currently an Assistant Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program. Previously Marsh was a Kindergarten Assistant at Steele Elementary for 11 years. Marsha has an Associates degree from Austin MN Community College and is taking Early Childhood Education classes at Pima Community College. Marsha enjoys working at St. Alban’s because we have the best kids in Tucson and a great environment in which to teach them. Marsha and her husband Bob have a daughter Anna. Her favorite outdoor activity is hiking.

Terry Smith
Terry
Smith

Terry came to St. Alban's in 2006. Terry is teacher assistant in our Pre-K program.  She graduated from Sabino High School, attended the University of Arizona and has an Associate of the Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Pima Community College.  She is currently enrolled in continuing education classes. Terry has worked in preschool and elementary school settings for over 20 years. She is proud and happy to be a part of St. Alban’s because her passion is touching the lives our future relies on.  Terry loves doing puppetry and sign language with the children. Terry is married and has 2 children, ages 17 and 18.

Karen Alexander
Karen
Alexander

Karen joined St. Alban's staff in 2002. She is a Lead Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten Program. Karen has a BA from the University of Arizona and is currently taking Early Childhood Education classes at Pima Community College.  She has several years experience working with children in the preschool and elementary setting. Her enthusiasm and love for children is evident in all that she does. When Karen is not teaching she spends time with her husband and two boys, reading, fly fishing, and biking.

Preschool

Janice Dupre
Janice
Dupre

Janice Dupre came to St. Alban's in 2002. Janice is a Lead Teacher in our Younger 3 Year Old Class.  She has a degree in Elementary Education from Framingham State College.  She has also taken many Early Childhood courses from Wheelock College and is continuing to take classes at Pima Community College. Janice has twenty five years of experience teaching young children. Janice feels fortunate to have met many wonderful families at St. Alban’s and to work with a great team of professional people.

Becky Houge
Becky
Houge

Becky is a long time member of the St. Alban's parish and mother of alum Jack.  She has a BAS in Liberal Arts and Sciences and has been taking classes in Early Childhood Education. Becky is our lead storyteller for our Children's Chapel and works closely with Father Sumith on the program content. Becky says the best part of working at St. Alban's is spending time with the wonderful kids in her young threes class.

Rukmi Hettiarachchi
Rukmi
Hettiarachchi

Rukmi's's has been a assistant teaching in the Young three's classroom for the past two years.  This year Rukmi attended her first naeyc conference this year in Chicago.

Cassandra Johnson
Cassandra
Johnson

Cassandra came to St. Alban's as a teacher in 2007. She is the lead teacher for the older 3's class. A student was recently quoted as saying "Oh, Ms. Cassandra will be so excited I'm staying for lunch, because she just loves to see me."

Pamela
Pamela
Manfredi

Pamela joined the St. Alban's staff as a teacher in 2007. She is the assistant teacher for the older 3's class. Pamela is also a St. Alban's parent.

Extended Day

Susan Warters
Susan
Warters

Susan Warters came to St. Alban’s in 2000. Susan is the Extended Care Teacher and also works with the preschool children in the mornings. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Nursery School from Monmouth University.  Susan believes that children are the future of our world.  She feels privileged to help facilitate the children expand their knowledge and life experiences in the nurturing and stimulating environment that St. Alban’s provides. Susan believes that the most important role as a teacher at St. Alban’s is to provide a safe, secure and happy environment for each and every child.

Deanna Singer
Deanna Singer

Deanna works with the Pre-Kindergarten class. Deanna has been working at St Alban's for 2 years an as assistant teacher.  She is working toward her Early Childhood degree at Pima Community College.

Specialists

Joe
Gray

Gymnastics
Joe Gray is the Gymnastics teacher. Joe has been teaching gymnastics to young children for thirty two years and has taught in his own private gym as well as in the parks and recreation department. Joe has been at St. Alban’s since 1992. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Maxine. Together they enjoy hiking, playing bingo and camping.

Fr. Sumith DeSilva

Chapel
Fr. Sumith holds a Childrens chapel for the preschool students each Tuesday.  Father Sumith teams with Becky Houge each week to deliver a story to the children.

Email the Director

Please call to
schedule a tour
(520) 296-2043