Faculty & Staff

Aquinas Academy seeks out and hires faithful Catholics who are outstanding teachers, viewing their work of teaching as a vocation entrusted to them.  In public and private life they serve as role models of faith and virtue for our students. 

SECONDARY EDUCATORS

The Catholic understanding is that teachers are secondary educators whose role is to support parents in their role as primary educators. Whereas a parent's authority comes from Almighty God through nature, a teacher's authority comes in part from the parents, in part from nature, and in part from the Church. In order to coordinate their efforts effectively, parents and teachers need to share a Catholic understanding of human nature and the purpose of education. In doing so, parents and teachers can work together helping children center their lives on Christ and seek to do His will in all things.

OATH OF FIDELITY

At the beginning of each year, our faculty and staff take an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church in the presence of the entire school community. This sets the example of respect for authority and reminds the Aquinas community that our first responsibility is to be obedient to the Church and the Catholic faith.

QUALITY EDUCATORS

Aquinas seeks to hire practicing and faithful Catholics who are outstanding teachers.  Besides holding the relevant qualifications, all members of the teaching faculty, staff, and administration complete the Virtus program of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and pass a criminal background check.

 

MRS. KATHERINE POMROY - PRINCIPAL

• 4th year at Aquinas Academy 
• 2nd year as Principal
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education,  University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Master of Science Degree in Education, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• 317 Reading Specialist Administrative License
• 30 years in Education
• Currently working toward Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Catholic Education Leadership at Ave Maria University

 

MR. JAMES BERRY -  DEAN OF STUDENTS, 8TH GRADE HOMEROOM, AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CATECHISM

• 11th year at Aquinas Academy
• Licentiate Communications - Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome
• BA Political Science and Economics - Christendom College, Front Royal, Virginia
• 3 years as translator for the Vatican Press Office
• 4 years under Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke as Executive Director for the cause of beatification and canonization of Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
• Specialty Areas: Journalism, Writing, Italian, Spanish

 

MR. ANDREW DENTEN -  DEAN OF ACADEMICS AND MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH 

• 9th year at Aquinas Academy - 20 years experience in education
• Master's Degree, Educational Leadership and Administration - Cardinal Stritch University
• Master's Degree, Education - Loyola University of Chicago
• Bachelor's Degree, History - Marquette University

 

MRS. BETH FRAIN - OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

• Bachelor's in History from Ave Maria University
• Been a part of the Aquinas Academy community for 10 years, and has worked here for 8 years. 
• Experience as an aide, teacher and currently in third year as office administrator

 

MRS. MICHELLE PUFFER - OFFICE SUPPORT

• Received her degree in nursing
• Been a part of the Aquinas Community for 13 years

 

MR. MATTHEW VENTURA - 7TH GRADE HOMEROOM AND MIDDLE SCHOOL LITERATURE

• 2nd year at Aquinas Academy

 

 

MRS. PAULA GOTTHARDT - 4-8TH GRADE LATIN

• 23rd year at Aquinas Academy - 30+ years of teaching experience
• B.A in Liberal Arts - Thomas Aquinas College, CA
• Graduate studies in education at Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee
• Specialty areas: Elementary Education, Latin, English, Religion, History, Catechism
• Teacher certification course for 1st- 8^th grades at Cardinal Stritch University
• Volunteered as a counselor at a pregnancy help center for over a decade

 

 

MRS. CATHY PADGETT - MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE

• 9th year at Aquinas Academy
• B.S. Microbiology - Colorado State University
• M.A. Education - Instructional Design Specializing in Adult Education -  Alverno College
• M.A. Education - Science Education- Alverno College
• Skilled professional with 12 years experience with student-centered teaching
• Taught biology for 13 years
• Evaluated student performances at Alverno College

 

 

MS. ABIGAIL SCHREIBER - 6TH GRADE

• 6th year at Aquinas Academy
• BA History and English Literature – University of Dallas
• 7 years of experience in middle school history
• 8 years experience teaching 5th -6th grade math
• Taught 5^th grade math for last 3 years

 

Mrs. Wendy Protz - 5th GRADE 

• 2nd year at Aquinas Academy
• Graduate of West Virginia University
• 13 years teaching experience

 

 

MRS. HOLLY PLAHUTA - 3RD Grade

• 2nd year at Aquinas Academy
• B.A., Drake University, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
• 20 years of experience as a parish catechist
• Parent of three current Aquinas students

 

MRS. CONSTANCE TRAHAR -4TH GRADE

• 2^nd year at Aquinas Academy
• Master of Arts in Education- Marian University
• 10 years teaching experience

 

MRS. KATHY GASPER - 4k

• 8th year at Aquinas Academy
• PK-3rd Grade Teaching Certification
• Special Education Teaching Certification

 

 

 

MRS. JESSICA VENTURA - 2ND GRADE

• 3rd year at Aquinas Academy
• BA- English/Literature- Hunter College New York, NY 
• MFA - Theatre Performance - University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
• 14 years' experience teaching including- undergraduate, elementary (K5- 1^st grade) homeschool (K5-2^nd grade)

 

 

MRS. MARGARET LANGBEEN - 3RD GRADE

 

 

MRS. TERRI SEITZ - LIBRARY AND LEARNING SUPPORT

• 6th  year at Aquinas Academy

 

 

MS. KATIE HAAS - 1ST GRADE

• 2nd year at Aquinas Academy
• BA in English and Writing from Cardinal Stritch University (Master's in Elementary Education in progress at Stritch)

 

 

MRS. KAREN O'LEARY- KINDERGARTEN

• 4th Year at Aquinas Academy
• Bachelor of Music - UW Whitewater
• Cooperating Teacher - UW Milwaukee
• 11 years teaching in Milwaukee Public Schools
• 22 years teaching experience at K5 level

 

MRS. CHRISTINE KLEIN - SUPPORT STAFF

• 4th Year at Aquinas Academy
• Graduate of Mt Mary University
• 23 years teaching experience

 

 

MRS. MARY ANN BERRY —SUPPORT STAFF

• 9th year at Aquinas Academy
• Master's English & Creative Writing - Mount Mary University
• English\Writing Teacher 2nd Grade Aquinas Academy

 

 

MRS. MARGARET FREEMAN - K4 AIDE

• 6th year at Aquinas Academy
• 9th year as a teacher's aide

 

MRS KRISTIE WEINER - K5 AIDE

• 6th year at Aquinas Academy
• 7th year as a classroom aide

 

MRS. MARTHA EBENT - MUSIC & ELEMENTARY LATIN

• 16th year at Aquinas Academy - 23 years teaching experience
• M.S. in Music Education - University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign
• B.S. in Vocal Performance - Millikin University
• Certification in Kindermusik International
• Music Teaching Certification
• Specialty areas: Choral singing, vocal training, theater

 

MRS. JESSICA KURTH - PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• 18th year at Aquinas Academy - 16 years teaching experience
• B.S. in Physical Education - University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
• Certification in Exercise and Sports Science-Teaching in the State of Wisconsin
• Specialty Areas: Tennis, Softball, Basketball, Certified Fitness Specialist

 

MRS. LAINE SOPER - ART TEACHER

•  7th Year at Aquinas Academy
•  BS – Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education emphasis in Art - Louisiana Tech-University.
•  15+ Years teaching Art K5 – 9th grades; public, private and international schools
•  Trained and taught Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I and II

 

MR. MATTHEW BEINE - ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR

• 6th year at Aquinas Academy
• Advance Business Management (Dublin, Ireland)
• Served as Chancellor and Financial Administrator at Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, Ireland
• Executive P.A. to the Episcopal Vicar for Financial Development - Archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland