Meet the St. Paul School Staff

Mrs. Cheryl Sanford - Principal

I consider it a privilege and honor to serve the St. Paul community as school principal. I have demonstrated a passion for education committing over 30 years to teaching and the principalship. I also enjoy a deep love for the Catholic faith. I continually consider myself lucky to blend my passion for education and my love for Catholicism into a career that serves our children, helping them to become productive citizens as well as faith leaders of the 21st century!

Within the walls of this beloved building, I am personally committed to helping all of our students experience the POWER: Prayer, Outreach, Worship, Education, and Relationships! These pillars of our elementary and middle school programs are Wisconsin and Archdiocesan standards-based, values-enriched, academically challenging, and technology-infused. They guide us in forming students who are 21st century learners ready to meet the academic, social and moral challenges of their future.

My husband Dan and I are active members of the parish and lector as often as we are able. I am an alumna of both the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University and reside in Pewaukee. We are blessed with two grown daughters, one married, who both live and work in Washington DC.

I commit myself each day to leading our teaching and learning community to do its best work on behalf of all students.

All for the glory of God!

Cherie Sanford, Principal
Mrs. Sandy Day - Kindergarten

I am proud to say that I am a member of the St. Paul teaching team. This is my second year teaching kindergarten here at St. Paul School. I have eleven years of kindergarten teaching experience. I obtained my Bachelors Degree from UW-Whitewater and I am certified to teach preschool through Grade 6. I love working with the littlest learners. There is nothing as wonderful as watching the excitement on a child's face as they learn something new.
Miss Alyssa Narloch - 1st Grade

As a May 2011 graduate of Alverno College, I am thrilled to be starting my first year of teaching at St. Paul School! My degree is in Early Childhood Education with a Spanish minor. I am certified to teach grades Pre-K through 6th. My student teaching experience took place in Kindergarten at St. Mary’s in Waukesha. I really enjoy teaching young students because I feel they have a natural passion for learning, lots of energy, and plenty of eagerness to start each new day!
Miss Judi Mickel - 2nd Grade

Greetings from the purple room! The 2010-2011 year marks the celebration of my thirty-ninth year of teaching since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Since that year, I have continually participated in classes and workshops to further my lifelong learning.

I strive to help children learn using strategies for success. I believe in developing the moral and spiritual aspects of my students' lives as well. We use this in our classroom to describe how we can live out each day by being more like Jesus by developing cooperation, responsibility, caring, and honesty. May the Holy Spirit lead the way on our journey of learning, laughing and living out the WWJD philosophy. I also looking forward to participating in the sacramental preparation of my students' First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

My home is in Waukesha. I enjoy gardening, water aerobics, watching TCM, shopping at Wal-Mart, watching my birds and squirrels eat at my feeders, and walking around the neighborhood visiting my neighbors and their dogs.
Mrs. Elizabeth Matzke - 3rd Grade

More information coming soon!
Ms. Linda Chadek - 4th Grade

Put a smile on your face, a song in your heart and each day ask yourself, "What will I do today to be worthy of the Lord?" I'm Linda Chadek and I am completing my 22nd year here at St. Paul and 23rd year as a Parish member, where I have been a singer in the Praise Ensemble group for many of those years.

I graduated from UW Parkside, where I received my Bachelor of Arts degree, with a Communication and Education major and a theater minor. Since then I have gone on to earn over 36 graduate credits, with a focus on reading and writing, my personal favorites! This past year I was trained as a mentor for our building, and I have also worked on an accreditation team. I attend workshops and read, read, read! I have taught at most grade levels including, the Standards Program in Racine, where I had the opportunity to work with kids who scored below the 25th percentile in Reading, Math and Language. I started the Kindergarten program here at St. Paul in 1986, then "graduated" to third grade, moved up to 7th and am now in 4th, which I believe showcases my personal strengths. I am proud to say that I received the Herb Kohl teaching award during my time here at St. Paul along with many other professionals in the state. I am a member of the Waukesha County Reading Council and had served on their board for a number of years. I continue to maintain my Advanced Religion Certification by taking classes and attending workshops.

I told my dad in first grade that I was going to be a teacher when I grew up, and I can't imagine myself being anything else! I strive each year to help my students to become the best THEY can be, academically, socially, and spiritually. I hope to give them many opportunities to explore, experience, and to grow in God's love.

Outside of school I enjoy baking, reading, walking, singing, watching movies and who knows maybe THIS year guitar lessons will be in the cards! Although I love all those things, my #1 hobby is still teaching, where "Being the Best You Can Be" is my #1 goal.
Mrs. Anne Brockel - 5th Grade

I have been married to Larry for 21 years and have a step-daughter who is married; Kevin, graduated from Kettle Moraine High School; Cari-ann, is a junior at Catholic Memorial High School, and K.C. is in 9th grade at Kettle Moraine High School.

I have a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!). I worked for the federal government for 16 years and stayed home with my three children for approximately 10 years. I was a substitute teacher for the Mukwonago School District and for St. Paul School for approximately 5 years. I have my Wisconsin Teaching License (K-8) (Go Badgers!) and my Sub Permit (K-12). I was the Art and Computer teacher at St. Paul School from 2009-2011.

My motto is "Don't ask, What can St. Paul School do for me? Ask, What can I do for St. Paul School?" With our beautiful new Church, our hardworking principal, staff, and a dedicated group of Christian parents continually working to improve our school, I feel the sky is the limit!
Ms. Mary Pohlen - 6th Grade/Math 6-8

This is my 18th year working with the Middle School students at St. Paul. They help to keep me on my toes with their spontaneity, creativity, questions, and ever changing moods!

I graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a B.S. Degree in Education with an Area of Concentration in Math and Science. Since receiving my teaching degree I have attended many colleges taking post- graduate courses during summers in a variety of topics- especially in math, writing, and reading curriculum courses. After one graduates from college, it is nice to be able to elect what courses to take! Other courses range from dinosaurs to the Civil War. I also have an advanced certificate in religious studies in theology, scripture, and methods. I have been a member of Waukesha Reading Council for years and I enjoy attending Saturday morning workshops. I also continue to increase my learning in technology.

I have a love of learning and hope to inspire the students I teach that life is never boring when you have a sense of awe and wonder. I also hope that my students will never settle for less than their best. It helps to limit the feeling of regret!

I live in West Allis and love gardening, decorating projects, reading, and traveling. I think the students and parents of St. Paul School are the greatest! I feel fortunate to work with the students here at St. Paul as we work together to live lives worthy of the Lord.
Ms. Kelly Moran - 7th Grade/Science 6-8

More information coming soon!
Mrs. Barb Romanello - 8th Grade/Social Studies 6-8

I graduated from Ripon College with a degree in theology and an elementary teaching license for grades 1-8. I have been fortunate to influence many lives through my teaching at St. Charles, Hartland and St. Paul. Throughout those years I have worn many teacher hats - substitute teacher, self contained fifth grade teacher, middle school social studies teacher 5-8, middle school religion teacher 5-8, K-8 music teacher, first grade teacher, and finally the role I currently hold as that of middle school social studies 6-8 and eighth grade homeroom teacher.

I have continued my education by attending seminars and classes in Student Diversity, Graphic Organizers, 6 + 1 Traits of Writing, Guided Reading, Reading in the Lower Grades, Social Studies Links to the Past, Catholic Identity, Gifted Learners, ADHD, Communications, Assessments, the Struggling Learner, SMART Board, and Computer Classes. I currently hold an Advance Certificate in Religious Education.

I met my best friend and husband, Greg at college. We celebrated our 33th year this July. We have four children, all who have graduated from St. Paul School. Our family has made St. Paul our parish since 1980 and we have been involved in many ministries: serving as School Board member, Treasurer and President of St Paul's Home and School, singing in the choir, working many years on the annual parish summer festival, and serving as Market Day chair person.

As a teacher, I believe that I am a witness of the Gospel values and that I should be an example to my students.

I am happy to be returning to yet another year at St. Paul. I have found great pleasure sharing the many ministries that St. Paul has to offer. Let us all be open to journeying with Jesus this year.
Mrs. Patty Koscinski - Music

More information coming soon!
Ms. Margaret Lucas - Art

More information coming soon!
Ms. Jackie Kascht - Computers

Hello! I am Mrs. Jackie Kascht. I am pleased to be a part of the St. Paul learning community as computer teacher. It will be my pleasure to support the students and teachers to become proficient 21st century learners and educators. I live in Waukesha with my husband, 2 daughters, 3 fat cats, a Guinea pig named Carl, and a fish. I enjoy backyard birding, gardening, and being outdoors. I have worked in the Catholic schools since receiving my initial certification from Alverno College in 1987. I have taught both at the elementary and middle school levels. Prior to coming to St Paul, I was employed at Waukesha Catholic as a technology teacher and tech support at the middle school. I was also a math teacher there for 10 years. Technology interests me and I am always excited to collaborate with others using technology in the classroom. My goal is to help students and teachers become proficient and efficient 21st century learners. The learning process is dynamic and never ending so there will always be something new to learn and share.
Mrs. Heather Ragen - Spanish

Hola. My name is Heather Ragen - Señora Ragen, to my students. I am very pleased to be teaching at St. Paul’s and especially excited to be teaching middle school since that was my first experience with Spanish as a student. I grew up on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin and graduated from Beloit College with majors in Spanish and Education. During college I spent a semester studying and travelling in Quito, Ecuador and later studied in Guadalajara, Mexico while volunteering at a Catholic school for orphans. I have also travelled to Peru, Costa Rica, and other regions of Mexico.

Before I had children I taught for 3 years at Pius XI High School in Milwaukee and 6 years in the Greenfield School District (grades 7-12). I have enjoyed being a stay-home mom for the past few years, but have missed teaching, so I welcome this opportunity to get back into the classroom, while still being able to spend the majority of my time with my wonderful daughters and husband.

I love teaching Spanish because it requires active participation and student interaction, which are my favorite ways to learn. Each day we will speak, listen, read and write as we venture into new territory and learn to communicate new information. ¡Hasta pronto! (I’ll see you soon!)
Mrs. Diana Sutherland - Physical Education

This is my twelvth year teaching Physical Education at St. Paul School. I graduated from UW LaCrosse with a BS in Physical Education and Health Education. Along with teaching Physical Education and Health Education, I substitute teach at St. Paul School. I enjoy seeing students outside of the gym and working hard in their classrooms.

Prior to teaching at St. Paul School, I taught Physical Education and Health Education at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha. Along with teaching at CMH, I was involved with coaching many different sports at CMH.

My husband Gary and I have two children. Paige is a freshman at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and adjusting well. Jonah is a junior at Catholic Memorial High School. They both attended St. Paul School and look back with fond memories. We are also hosting an AFS student, Angelo Magli, a junior at Catholic Memorial High School. He is a joy to have in the house and is embracing all of the new experiences living in America.

I am looking forward to working with your children and teaching them the lifetime sports of being healthy and fit.
Mrs. Debbie Schneider - Resource Specialist

Debbie Schneider is pleased to be in her sixth year as an independent tutor at St. Paul School. Debbie started her teaching career 27 years ago as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher. For the past 13 years, she has continued her education with an emphasis in reading, including Orton-Gillingham training. Debbie incorporates a variety of reading and writing strategies in each individualized lesson, including a multi-sensory phonetic approach. Her students are taught to recognize their strengths and weaknesses as learners, while building on both. Her hands on philosophy emphasizes the whole child, including frequent communication with their parents and classroom teacher.

Debbie has been married to Brian for 25 years. They have two sons: Ben who is a junior at St. Thomas University in Minnesota and Jacob who is employed as a salesperson in Milwaukee. She has many outside interests including reading, cooking, gardening and volunteering.
Dr. Nick Contorno - Band

Dr. Nicholas J. Contorno is presently retired after 24 years as the Director of Music Programs, bands and orchestra at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI. He received his Bachelor and Master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He began his teaching career in 1961 as an Instrumental Music teacher in the Glendale (WI) Public Schools and also served as Director of Bands at Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. In 1968, he accepted the position of Music Curriculum Supervisor and Director of Bands at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin. In 1983, he was appointed Director of Bands at Marquette University.

Dr. Contorno is an A.S.C.A.P. award winning composer and arranger, and is represented in the catalogs of C.L. Barnhouse, Bourne, Hal Leonard, Jenson, Pro-Art, Global Musical Interests Publications, Educational Programs Publications and JPM Publications.

As an active professional musician, he has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Holiday on Ice Orchestra, Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus Band, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and Les Elgart Orchestra. In addition, he had performed with many national shows and artists, including "Annie," 42nd Street," Linda Ronstadt, Natalie Cole, Manhattan Transfer, Vic Damone, Johnny Mathis, Dinah Shore, Mel Torme, The Four Lads, and Sonny & Cher, to mention a few.

Dr. Contorno has been guest soloist, conductor, adjudicator and clinician with many school bands across the country. Dr. Contorno has many honors and holds memberships in numerous professional organizations.
Mr. John Szcygiel - Band
Mr. Szcygiel is in his third year as band director at St. Paul School. He brings along a great deal of experience:
- Music Education at St. Norbert College
- Bachelor of Fine Arts with Certification to Teach from UW-Milwaukee
- Masters in Music and Education from UW-Milwaukee
- Instrumental music teacher, Mukwonago Schools for thirty -three years.
- Mukwonago Schools music chair for ten years.
- Member WSMA, WMEA, MENC, WNBA, NBA, ASBDA, Phi Beta MU
- Certified WSMA judge and clinician
- Teaches private band lessons at area music store.
- Three children, John, Jacob and Monika all played band instruments.
- Learned Suzuki techniques when twins, Monika and Jacob were in the Suzuki Violin program at Carroll College.
- Started Summer Lesson/Rehearsal Program for Mukwonago Schools.
- Bands have performed all over the state including the Wisconsin State Fair, Noah.s Ark in the Wisconsin Dells, Bay Beach Park in Green Bay, Circus World Museum, Marquette University, Cardinal Stritch University, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, The University of Wisconsin-Parkside, The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, The Waukesha Conservatory of Music and at many high schools, middle schools, elementary schools and festivals.
- Bands have performed in Illinois at Gurnee Mills Mall, The Bugs Bunny Theater in Great America, The College of Lake County and at area high schools.
Mrs. Barb Berner - Librarian

I have been involved with St. Paul's Library for 27 years. The first 17 years were as a volunteer and the last 10 years as a part-time member of the staff. I graduated from UW-Stout with a degree in Home Economics in Business in 1975. Ironically, I worked in both my high school and college libraries. Before moving to Dousman in 1983, I was a kitchen designer at Green Bay Kitchen Mart. I have been married to Jim for 36 years. He works for the Barilla Pasta Company. Both of our sons, Jeff, age 33 and Andy, age 24, graduated from St. Paul's. Jeff runs our family-owned HobbyTown USA gaming store in New Berlin and Andy works for Rock River Laboratory, Watertown, as a soil analyst and lab technician. While at St. Paul's I've been active in the following: Art and Environment, Forensics coach and judge, Watkins Sale coordinator, Scholastic Book Fair chairman since 1991, Great America Reading program, Library Club, National Geographic Bee, Civic Oration judge, and the school spelling bee coordinator. In my spare time, I enjoy doing photography, basketweaving, gardening, watercolors and entering them in Waukesha, Walworth and Wisconsin State Fair. 2011 will mark my 25th year as a Waukesha County 4-H leader. I also have the pleasure of watching my 6 year old granddaughter, Anna, after school two days each week. And of course, I love to READ!!!
Mrs. Lora Migliaccio - Administrative Assistant

I graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in IT. I have worked for 7+ years in the IT field before I left to be a stay-at-home mom with my two sons, Nick and Lucas. My husband and I were married at St. Paul’s and we had our two sons baptized here as well. Nick is in 5th grade and Lucas is in 3rd grade here at St. Paul. We strongly believe that St. Paul’s is a great place for our children! And I am very excited to be a part of the St. Paul’s School Staff!