Administration
Kevin Hoeffner, Ph. D.
Dr. Hoeffner started working at St. Anastasia as the Assistant Principal in 2006. Prior to that, he worked as an administrator at three Florida colleges between 1996-2006 before being called to his vocation at St. Anastasia. He was appointed Principal in 2008. He received his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida in 2010. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work from Florida International University and worked as an administrator at three Florida colleges before being called to his vocation at St. Anastasia. He is a proud graduate of St. Anastasia and John Carroll High School. His three children will be the fifth generation to benefit from the well-rounded education and faith formation provided by St. Anastasia Church, School, and John Carroll High School. Educational Philosophy |
Karen Richmond
Mrs. Richmond has been an Assistant Principal at St. Anastasia since 2008. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida and her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. Prior to becoming the Assistant Principal, she taught kindergarten and 3rd grade. In 2015 she transitioned from the role of Assistant Principal to the role of Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction. She enjoys working behind the scenes with teachers to support them in their planning and classroom management! Mrs. Richmond and her husband have been members of St. Anastasia Church for 27 years. Their three daughters attended St. Anastasia School and John Carroll High School and are now attending the University of Central Florida. Mrs. Richmond and her family love the St. Anastasia and John Carroll community very much! Educational Philosophy |
Maura Cox
Mrs. Cox joined St. Anastasia Catholic School as their Assistant Principal in charge of Student Affairs in August 2019. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida and her Master's Degree in Catholic School Educational Leadership from Barry University. Prior to coming to St. Anastasia Catholic School, Mrs. Cox was an assistant Principal for Okeechobee Public Schools for one year and the principal of St.Thomas Aquinas Catholic School for nine years. Prior to going into administration, she taught first grade for eight years and fourth grade for one year. She loves working with St. Anastasia Catholic School administration, teachers, staff, parents and students to assist them in having a safe and faith-filled learning environment that teaches the whole child: mind, body and spirit. Mrs. Cox and her husband joined the St. Anastasia Parish in 2019. Mrs. Cox is married with two children who also attend St. Anastasia Catholic School. Mrs. Cox and her family love to travel and spend time together. |
Pre-K - 5th Grade Faculty
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Pre-K
Laura Brown
Mrs. Brown graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching for more than 23 years and has experience in the Florida Public School System as well as her years at St. Anastasia as a Preschool teacher since 2000. Happily, Mrs. Brown now calls St. A's "home." Her husband, Mike, and daughter, Mary Catherine, are both graduates of St. Anastasia and John Carroll. Her son, Patrick, also graduated from St. Anastasia and will soon graduate from John Carroll High School. He is looking forward to attending college. Mrs. Brown loves spending time with her family, caring for her orchids and enjoying our beautiful Indian River Lagoon. She and her family are members of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. Educational Philosophy 
Julie Brennan
Mrs. Brennan has her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education 1-6 with a certification in Special Learning Disabilities (K-12) from Franciscan University of Steubenville and her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida Atlantic University. She just completed teaching her seventh year of preschool. She has taught 2nd grade, 5th grade, and Reading Resource at two other Catholic Schools before she had children. She's a parishioner of St. Anastasia Church and has a son attending St. Anastasia. She has two children attending John Carroll High School this year. Mrs. Brennan enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, reading, traveling, and trying new recipes! Educational Philosophy 
Beverly Thoennissen
Mrs. Thoennissen graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Marketing. She graduated from the Educator Preparation Institute at Indian River State College where she is certified to teach Grades K-6 and ESE Certertified. This is her first year teaching Pre-K. She had been teaching 3rd grade at St. Anastasia for the past 10 years. She enjoys spending time with her family and going to Disney. Educational Philosophy 
Brittany Wingert
Mrs. Wingert graduated from Indian River State College with a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education. She is certified in teaching K-6 and Pre-Kindergarten with a reading and ESOL endorsement. She has been employed at St. Anastasia as a teacher assistant and aftercare personnel prior to teaching. This is her second year teaching Preschool. St. Anastasia has been her "home" since her own schooling from Pre-K-Eighth grade. Her and her husband Chris, are parishioners of St. Anastasia. She enjoys spending time with family and being outdoors. Educational Philosophy Kindergarten
Annelies Madden
Mrs. Madden is starting her fifth year at St. Anastasia. She has always wanted to teach Kindergarten and she is thrilled to be starting this new year! Mrs. Madden graduated from SUNY College at Plattsburgh with her Bachelor's Degree in English and received her Master's Degree in Education from Dowling College in New York. She and her husband, John, moved to Florida in 1991 where she started her teaching career in Miami. She was blessed to be able to spend time at home with her three children for many years. In her free time she volunteered at her childrens’ Elementary School and her church. When her youngest started school she returned to teaching in Martin County. All three of her children are John Carroll High School graduates. The Madden family moved to Fort Pierce in 2016 and have enjoyed becoming part of the St. Anastasia Catholic Church family. In her spare time she enjoys reading, boating, going to the beach and spending time with her family. Educational Philosophy 
Ariana Roberts
Mrs. Roberts graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (K-6) and is ESOL endorsed. When she graduated college she realized that kindergarten was her passion and she has been teaching kindergarten ever since. This will be her 11th year teaching kindergarten! When she is not teaching, she is at the beach, cooking, crafting, or spending time with her family. She is a graduate of John Carroll and is parishioner of St. Anastasia Catholic Church. She is so excited to be joining the St. Anastasia school family and is looking forward to the new year! Educational Philosophy First Grade
Dina Bush
Mrs. Bush has her Bachelor's Degree in K-6 Elementary Education, K-12 Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and is ESOL Endorsed. She is beginning her 16th year at St. Anastasia and this is her tenth year teaching 1st grade. She is a parishioner of St. Anastasia and loves working in a Catholic school. Mrs. Bush is married with two daughters who are both St. Anastasia grads. She loves spending time with her family and going out on the boat. Educational Philosophy 
Maria Gamez
Mrs. Gamez graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and is ESOL and reading endorsed. When she graduated college in Tallahassee, she became a first-grade assistant at a local private school. She knew she wanted to move back home to Fort Pierce to begin her teaching career. This will be her third year teaching first grade! When she is not teaching, she is at the beach, baking, crafting, or spending time with her family. Her and her husband, Alex, are parishioners of St. Anastasia Catholic Church. She is so excited to be joining St. Anastasia and is looking forward to the new year! Educational Philosophy |
Second Grade
Keri Barton
Mrs. Keri Barton graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. This will be her 19th year teaching and 11th year teaching at St. Anastasia. She is a proud graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School. She and her husband Donnie have two daughters who are St. Anastasia graduates, and both will be attending Florida colleges in the fall. She enjoys attending concerts, exercising, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends. The Barton's are parishioners of St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Educational Philosophy 
Megan Norton
Ms. Norton earned her Bachelor's Degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Stetson University and worked in the healthcare field before going back to school and graduating from the Educator Preparation Institute at Indian River State College. She is certified to teach grades K-6 and previously worked in the St. Lucie County School District for 13 years. She taught Kindergarten for eight years and Second Grade for the past six years. She is a graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School and is very excited to have returned to the Catholic school setting as an educator. She enjoys going to the beach and anything to do with the water. She also loves spending time with family and friends. Educational Philosophy Third Grade
Gene Drum
Mr. Drum is beginning is his fifty-second year as a teacher. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from the State University of New York at Oswego and his Master’s Degree in Teacher Leadership from the University of Minnesota. He is certified in elementary education and secondary social studies. Mr. Drum taught overseas for over thirty years as well as in New York State and in Florida. Mr. Drum has been married to his wife, Joanie, for fifty-one years. They have one daughter, Damian. This is Mr. Drum’s fifth year at Saint Anastasia. He feels truly blessed to be a part of such a magnificent school. Educational Philosophy 
Gerard Auriemma
Mr. Auriemma earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies from Ashford University. Mr. Auriemma started working as a substitute teacher for the Saint Lucie County School District in 2009. While working for the school district he became a full-time long-term substitute, working in grades three through five. During those eleven years as a substitute, Mr. Auriemma has worked in every grade from kindergarten through the fifth grade. He came to St Anastasia midway through the 2020-2021 school year to take over the 5th grade ELA/Science classes. Mr. Auriemma is beyond excited to be returning to St. Anastasia as the new 3rd grade teacher. He has two sons, Gerard III who is 19 years old entering his sophomore year of college at Valencia College in Orlando, and William who is a 15-year-old sophomore at Lincoln Park Academy. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, umpiring baseball, and spending time with his family and friends. Educational Philosophy Fourth Grade
Daniela Arteaga
Mrs. Arteaga is very excited to return to St. Anastasia as her second-year teaching fourth grade. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and a Minor in Education from Indian River State College. Mrs. Arteaga and her husband have one son, who will be in 2nd grade and are awaiting the arrival of their daughter in the Fall. The Arteaga’s are parishioners of San Juan Diego. Mrs. Arteaga enjoys spending time with her family. Some of her favorites include traveling, watching her son train Jiu Jit Su, their dog Mia, exploring new coffee shops, walking, and diving into a good book. Educational Philosophy 
Valerie Picardi
Ms. Picardi has been in Education for the last 17 years. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications at St John's University, Staten Island, NY. She is ESE Certified and looking forward to teaching 4th grade. This is her 5th year at St. Anastasia where she was a full time substitute teacher and so much more! Ms. Picardi taught High School at Moore Catholic, Staten Island, NY and also taught Intensive Reading 6th-8th grade at Renaissance Charter School of St. Lucie. Ms. Picardi has two children, Jake who graduated last year from St. Anastasia and will be attending John Carroll High School and Samantha who is entering Middle School at St. Anastasia. Ms. Picardi can be found on Baseball/Softball fields most weekends and loves the beach when she has a free moment! Watching her kids succeed in school and on fields/courts makes her the happiest! They are parishioners of St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Educational Philosophy Fifth Grade
Becky Springsteen
Mrs. Springsteen celebrates her eleventh year teaching at St. Anastasia! She also enters her 20th year in education. In addition to teaching Fifth Grade ELA/Religion, Mrs. Springsteen serves as the school's Department Chairperson for grades 3-5. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Master's Degree in Educational Leadership at Florida Atlantic University. Mrs. Springsteen is certified in grades K-6, English 5-9, and TESOL. Mrs. Springsteen and her husband Christian have two sons. Both boys attended St. Anastasia Pre-K-8th grade. Their oldest, Paiten, recently graduated from John Carroll High School and will attend Ave Maria University on a baseball scholarship. Parker will be a freshman in the fall at JCHS. Mrs Springsteen is a proud graduate of both St. Anastasia and John Carroll Catholic High School. In her spare time, Mrs. Springsteen loves going to the beach, boating with her family, traveling, yoga, and watching her boys play sports. The Springsteen family attends St. Anastasia Catholic Church. Educational Philosophy 
Macki Fadness
Ms. Fadness earned her Bachelor’s Degree in K-6 Elementary Education, 5-9 Social Studies, and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is currently pursuing her Specialist’s Degree in Administration. She taught middle school social studies for four years and taught one year in 4th grade. Ms. Fadness enjoys going to the beach, traveling, and staying active with CrossFit, softball, and volleyball. Educational Philosophy |
Middle School Faculty
Paula Stapleton
Mrs. Stapleton has been teaching for more than 25 years. This is her 18th year at Saint Anastasia. She has a Master’s Degree in Varying Exceptionalities from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. She and her husband, Chris, have two children, Emily and Jake. Both are graduates of St. Anastasia and John Carroll High School. Their oldest child, Emily graduated from the University of Miami, their youngest child; James attends the University of Florida. Mrs. Stapleton enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her family. The Stapletons are parishioners of St. Anastasia Church. Educational Philosophy |
Kim Brown
Mrs. Brown has her Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies and her Master’s Degree in Communication with Emphasis on Education, both from Grand Canyon University. In June 2021, she received her Masters in History Education from Grand Canyon University. She is certified in Florida to teach K-6. Mrs. Brown started her teaching career when she and her mom opened a pre-school in Okeechobee, Florida in 1986. She has taught pre-school, third grade, fourth grade, and sixth through eighth grade. She was an assistant at St. Anastasia from 2003-2005 while her daughter was attending John Carroll High School. She is very excited to be back as a part of the St. Anastasia family. She is the proud grandmother of eleven grandchildren ranging in ages five to seventeen. She loves reading, traveling and relaxing with her family. Educational Philosophy |
Sara Fitzgerald
Miss Fitzgerald is dedicated to sharing the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith to our middle school students. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and International Trade from Clemson University and a Master's Degree in Theology and Christian Ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Her hobbies include playing guitar and listening to Christian music, Zumba, walking, cooking, shopping, reading and spending time at the beach. She attends St. Anastasia Catholic Church. Educational Philosophy 
Jennifer Indiveri
Ms. Indiveri is very excited to return to her alma mater as a teacher. She is a graduate of both St.Anastasia and John Carroll; ram pride runs deep with this one! Ms. Indiveri is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. She enjoys teaching middle school and truly cares for her students. Ms. Indiveri enjoys doing yoga, spending time with family, and going to Disney World! She is a self proclaimed "Disney Fanatic," and loves going to the parks with her four year old daughter. The St. Anastasia community is very important to her and she hopes to instill the love for this community in your children. GO RAMS! Educational Philosophy 
Cindy Noelke
Mrs. Noelke teaches Middle School English Language Arts/ESE. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and has been a registered nurse for 37 years. She graduated from the Educators Preparation Institute at Indian River State College and is certified to teach Kindergarten through sixth grade. She completed her Master's of Education focused on curriculum and instruction. Mrs. Noelke also holds certifications in Exceptional Student Education K-12 and Middle School Science Grades 5-9. She has been employed at St. Anastasia Catholic School for nineteen years teaching in first grade for fifteen years and four years in Middle School Science grades 6-8. She and her husband, Dave and three children are parishioners of Saint Anastasia Catholic Church. Mrs. Noelke loves reading historical fiction and mysteries, hiking, camping, kayaking and spending time with her family. Although she continues to work in the field of nursing, teaching is her first love! Educational Philosophy |
Antoinette Huseinovic
Mrs. Huseinovic teaches Middle School math. Mrs. Huseinovic is from New York where she received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Brooklyn College. She taught for 10 years in New York before moving to Florida. She is state certified in Middle School Math and Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum and has been teaching math at St. A's for 20 years. Her daughter graduated from St. Anastasia and John Carroll High School and has her Bachelor's Degree from Indian River State College and her Master's Degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She and her family are members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Educational Philosophy 
Lisa Metcalf
Mrs. Metcalf has been at St. Anastasia since 1998 and currently teaches Middle School Language Arts and Drama. She is a Catholic School alumnus and holds a Master's degree in Education from the University of Florida. Both of her children have graduated from St. Anastasia, John Carroll and the University of Florida. Mrs. Metcalf loves watching her Gators play any sport, attending Mets games, and traveling! As an English teacher, she also loves reading! Educational Philosophy 
Robert O'Rourke
Mr. O'Rourke and his family moved to Florida in November 2019 from Boston. He earned his Master of Arts in Teaching in Science 5-9 and his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts. He has been teaching science for 13 years. He enjoys spending time with my family, going to the beach, Star Wars, martial arts, anything NASA, anything nature, playing the drums, golfing, and all Boston sports teams. Educational Philosophy |
Specialists
Merry Pat Dillman, Learning Resource
Mrs. Merry Pat Dillman graduated with her Bachelor’s (Magna Cum Laude) and Master’s Degree in Interrelated Areas of Special Education from Florida State University. She has been teaching 41 years, 12 in the Public School System and the last 29 years at St. Anastasia where she developed the first program of its kind in the diocese, The Learning Resource Program. She teaches grades 1-4 Learning Resource. She is a native Floridian, born in Pensacola, Florida. She enjoys playing tennis, reading, traveling, watching FSU football, and being with family and friends. Educational Philosophy 
Linda Hamilton, Speech and Language
Mrs. Hamilton, M.S., CCC-SLP, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Florida. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology. Mrs. Hamilton obtained her Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech Language Hearing Association and is certified by the Department of Medical Quality Assurance in Florida to provide speech language therapy services. Her professional experience includes working with adults and children in a variety of settings. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, boating, and relaxing at the beach. Educational Philosophy 
Millie Mejia, Spanish, TA
Mrs. Mejia was born in Venezuela and attended Catholic Schools all her life. She went to the University of Venezuela and Bowie State University and graduated from Florida Atlantic University with her Bachelor's Degree. She has been working at Saint Anastasia School since 2007 and loves to teach Spanish. She and her family attend St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Both of her children graduated from St. Anastasia and John Carroll High School. |
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