Reverend John Gerth (Pastor)

      When asked how he became a priest, Fr. J started at the beginning: I was born in 1965 and grew up in Largo, a town on the sun-drenched west coast of Florida. Being raised by a single parent was no doubt tough, Fr. J still feels that he has been “incredibly blessed to have had a loving, faith filled home to have been raised in.” After graduating from high school, John took a few years off to “hang around.” Those three years gave John enough time to know he had a calling. Fr. J puts it best: “I finally listened to the voice of God.” John joined the seminary to discern the priesthood.
      Leaving behind the land of beaches and palm trees, John was sent to St. Mary's College in the snowy Winona, Minnesota. The four years in the seminary proved to be a rich experience in faith. “I had my first real experiences of how wonderful it is to be a part of a Church that is catholic, that is to say, universal." John finished his education at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. He was ordained a priest in 1993 for the Diocese of St. Petersburg in Florida.
      “Even now, many years after going into the seminary and with several years of Priestly ministry, I am still amazed that God chose me (the guy who still keeps his long hair, doesn't like to wear shoes, plays his music way too loud, still yells at the TV when his football team is losing, and thinks that a perfect night is one spent with a large pepperoni, sausage and extra cheese pizza and watching "Star Trek" reruns)... can you believe God wants this guy, ME, to be a priest for His people?”
      With a youthful smile, Fr. J shares how much he loves life as a priest: “Celebrating Mass, I think to myself, ‘this is cool’.”







Mrs. Margie Shatto (EC3 & EC4)

      I am the EC3/4 teacher. I was born in Trenton, NJ and moved to Florida in 1981 to attend college. I have made Clearwater my home ever since. I am a graduate of USF.
      My background is in Early Childhood Education and Primary Grade levels. This is my eighth year teaching and my second year at Sacred Heart. I have one daughter who is currently enrolled in our sixth grade.
      I enjoy teaching Early Education because I believe this is where we form our love for learning.







Mrs. Linda March (Kindergarten)

      This is my third year teaching Kindergarten at Sacred Heart.
      I am a graduate of Niagara University with a Bachelors in Psychology and French. I hold a Masters in Education. I have twelve years teaching experience in both the Catholic and public school systems.
      I moved to Florida with my family three years ago from Western New York. My husband Michael and I have two sons.
      I am privileged to be a part of the exciting new beginnings here at Sacred Heart; and look forward to a journey filled with wonderful learning experiences.







Mrs. Jacqueline Prince (Grade 1)

      I was born in Utica, NY, and moved to St. Petersburg in 1978. I am a graduate of St. Petersburg Junior College and USF, where I received a BA in Elementary Education.
      I began my teaching career in Plantation FL, where I taught fifth grade at St. Gregory the Great.
      When I relocated to St. Petersburg, I began teaching third grade at Transfiguration. I had taught at Transfiguration for seven years.
      I am married and have a one year old daughter. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family.







Mrs. Alicia Gonzalez (Grade 2)

      I feel it is a grand privilege to be a part of the faculty for Sacred Heart Interparochial School for 2007-08 school year.
      This is my second year teaching at Sacred Heart.
      I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. I too have experienced many changes in the past two years since the Hurricane Katrina hit. I feel God has guided me here to become a part of what will be grand stability for our students. It is my goal to provide the fundamentals needed to prepare the second grade class for their First Reconciliation and Holy Communion. I am thrilled and blessed to begin a new year full of enthusiastic learning and hands-on experiences.







Mrs. Roberta Mueller (Grade 3)

      I am a native of St. Petersburg and completing my thirteenth year at Transfiguration. I am a graduate of Transfiguration, St. Petersburg Junior College and USF, where I received a BS in Elementary Education. I began my teaching career at Transfiguration. I have taught fourth and sixth grade and am excited about teaching third grade in the upcoming school year.
      I am married and have three children. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, boating, fishing and raising Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies.







Miss Anna Jacob (Grade 4)

      My name is Miss Anna Jacob and I am the Fourth Grade Teacher for the school year 2007/2008.
      I am from Waterford City, which is in the South-East of Ireland.
      I graduated from the Bachelor of Education degree program in St. Patrick's College in Dublin in 2006 and began my teaching career with First Grade in an all boys' Catholic School in Waterford that September.
      I moved to the U.S. in June 2007 to commence study with the Alliance for Catholic Education Masters Degree Program through the University of Notre Dame.
      In my spare time, I enjoy reading, music, travel and meeting new people.
      I am really excited about working with Fourth Grade for a wonderful school year 2007/2008 and feel privileged to be joining the community of Sacred Heart.







Mrs. Christina Badman (Grade 5)

      I have been the fifth grade teacher at Sacred Heart for the past seven years.
      I grew up in Ohio and received a BS in Elementary Education from Wright State University. After graduating, I moved to Florida to begin my teaching career. In the year, 2000, I got married and relocated to the Clearwater area.
      I have just recently acquired my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instructional Technology.
      I am looking forward to another great year.







Mr. Steven Kospender (Middle School Language Arts)

      I am a native of St. Petersburg and a product of local Catholic education. I’m a graduate of USF with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a specialization in Literature. The 2007-2008 school year will be my second year of teaching.
      I love Language Arts. It is my passion. I love reading and writing and love to share my passion with my students. It seems to me that few people teach a love of reading and writing these days. This is my first priority. I believe that if you teach a love of reading and writing, the skills involved will easily follow.
      My students write. They write a lot. Writing improves in the same way that most skills improve: practice, practice, practice. I write right along with them.
      I look forward to a great year as I continue my teaching career at Sacred Heart Interparochial School.







Sister Mary Ann Urch (Middle School Math)

      Sr. Mary Ann is a native from St. Petersburg, FL. She is a sister of Notre Dame and has completed her eleventh year at Transfiguration. Sr. Mary Ann is currently teaching Middle School Math and sixth and seventh grade Religion.
      Sr. Mary Ann enjoys reading, walking, gardening, astronomy, geology and dumpster diving. Her favorite book to read is the Bible.







Mr. Kenneth Habershon (Middle School Science)

      Mr. Habershon is originally from Hartford, CT. He moved to Florida at an early age.
      He attended local Catholic schools and received his B.A. degree from USF.
      Mr. Habershon operated a successful business for many years, but his true calling is teaching. On the weekends, you can often find him volunteering his services as a historical interpreter at a nearby living history village in Seminole.
      He currently teaches Middle School Science and 8th grade Religion.







Mr. David Cleppe (Physical Education)

      I was born in Marshalltown, Iowa. I was raised on a farm and graduated from HLV High School. I played football and earned a degree in Physical Education and Industrial Arts with a minor in Drivers Education from William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
      I came to Florida in 1986, and have coached volleyball, basketball, track, flag football and softball at Transfiguration. I have overseen the production of the yearbook and ran the morning show. I am the athletic director and started the Booster Club, which runs the golf tournament. I have also coached football and basketball at the high school level.
      I am married and have five children. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.







Mrs. Graciela Bourke (Spanish/Media Center)

      I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. I graduated from Rosa de Santa Maria High School and moved to New York. I worked for St. Raphael Catholic School in New York City. When I moved to Florida I worked for different schools within Pinellas County.
      I received my BA and BS with a degree in Spanish from USF. I am currently working towards my Masters in Elementary Education at USF.
      I am married and have two daughters. When I’m not spending time with my family, I enjoy reading and solving Sudoku.







Mrs. Jean Brown (Media Specialist)

      I have been a teacher of inquiring minds from preschool through high school for nineteen inspiring years. I earned my BA in Education from the University of West Florida and completed additional areas of certification and my MA in Curriculum and Instruction from USF.
      I have enjoyed years in the Catholic and Public school systems as I followed God’s lead to meet the needs of my family and students.







Mrs. Alice Everitt (Art)

      I have been at Sacred Heart for more than thirty years. Not only do I teach art but I am active in our parish community.
      I will be teaching Art for the 2007-2008 school year.







Mrs. Dalia Gibson (Music)

      Since graduating in 1989 from the Nation State Conservatory in Lithuania, I have been involved in teaching piano, recorder and general music to children and adults in Lithuania, Ireland and America.
      I have played classical music with a chamber trio internationally and on occasion teach and share knowledge with other music specialists in international seminars.
      My teaching philosophy is everyone can sing and I do believe in an endless circle of discovery.







Mrs. Tosha Vickers (Guidance)

      I am the current Guidance Counselor of Sacred Heart Interparochial School.
      I am a graduate of Sacred Heart and attended Clearwater Catholic. I received my Bachelors and Masters degree from USF.
      I am married and have two daughters. Lourdes is currently enrolled in the first grade at Sacred Heart.
      I look forward to meeting you.







Mrs. Judy Prior (Resource Teacher)

      I was born in Albany, Georgia and moved to St. Petersburg in 1978 from Seattle, Washington. I graduated from USF with a BS in Specific Learning Disabilities.
      I began my teaching career in 2000 as a resource teacher at St. Paul’s and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Schools. I have taught first and second grades at Transfiguration.
      I am married and have two children in high school. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family.







Mrs. Vicki Cronauer (Teacher’s Aide)

      I have spent 20-plus years at Sacred Heart School, both as a volunteer and employee. I will be serving as a teacher’s aide in all classes this school year.
      I am a Michigan native whose family moved to Florida in 1959. I have been married 37 years and we are parents of a 26-year-old daughter, who’s a Sacred Heart graduate.
      My hobbies include reading and cooking, and I enjoy spending time with our black labrador.







Mrs. Dorothy Blauner (Extended Day)

      I retired from an accounting firm in New Jersey and moved to Florida in November of 2004.
      I applied for a position at Sacred Heart School and was accepted in September of 2005.







Mrs. Ann Marie St. Pierre (Extended Day)

      I am from New Bedford, MA and received my education from St. Anthony grammar and high school.
      Upon graduating I found myself interested in clothes design and taking courses at NB Vocational and worked in that field for many years.
      At the same time I worked at church CCD and in the extended day care program. My hobbies are sewing, knitting, decorating my home and most all crafts.
      I moved to Florida in 2004. I consider myself fortunate to be starting my third year at Sacred Heart in the extended day care program.







Mr. Greg Thoman (Chef)

      I originally hail from the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Growing up in the rural Amish farmlands of Lancaster County has given me a strong appreciation for a simple way of life.
      After high school, I attended Harrisburg Area Community College in the Chef’s Apprenticeship program. After graduation in 1988, I embarked on my career that eventually led me to Clearwater, FL in 1991.
      Over the span of my career I have worked in all facets of the food service industry. I have worked in fine dining, healthcare and even for a time in the food processing and manufacturing business.
      I finally married in 2002 and now I am stepfather to a teenaged son and father to a daughter.
      As the current chef here at Sacred Heart Interparochial School, I find this to be one of the most satisfying career moves that I have experienced.