Meet Our Teachers & Staff

 
  Sacred Heart of Jesus Pastor:

 

 
              St. Clare Pastor:

 

Fr. Stanley Klasinski
sklasinski@att.net

 
      St. Clare Parochial Vicar:

 

       
       Sacred Heart of Jesus
       Senior Parochial Vicar:

Fr. Thomas Winkel

Principal:

Mr. Matthew Tabar
principal@corpuschristiacad.org

It is absolutely amazing to be a part of the Corpus Christi Academy family. I am proud to be with “The Academy” as I come from a family of educators; my grandmother, mother, father, and both of my sisters have spent their lives in education. The Diocese of Cleveland has been my home for the last 22 years as an educator and administrator. I presently reside on the Diocesan Principal Advisory Committee to ensure the sustained growth and success of all diocesan schools. Similarly, I have joined the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. As one of nine charter members of the Cabrini Fellowship through the Center for Transformational Educational Leadership I have embarked on a two year journey to “form a cadre of outstanding school leaders at both the (arch)diocesan and national levels, serving as mentors and coaches for each other and fellow Catholic school leaders to continue to strengthen this mission” and the mission of Corpus Christi Academy. It is my goal to have a direct impact on the students, faculty, and parish communities and to instill positive values like empathy, social awareness, and human dignity, while remaining reflective, balanced, and open-minded. I will promote and facilitate success that is realized through programs that encourage familial interaction with the school, creation of a number of avenues for open communication, provision of opportunities to involve students, parents, and the community in volunteer efforts, and collaboration with the parish communities to ensure the sustained success of all of our students.

When I am not at Corpus Christi Academy you will find me with my wife at horse shows, cooking, or cheering on the Browns, the Buckeyes, the Cavs, and the Indians. It is truly a blessing to be a part of the Corpus Christi Academy family and I look forward to a future of sustained success embodied by a culture of learning, excitement, and faith that permeates the entire Corpus Christi Academy community.

School Office

 
School Secretary:
Admissions Coordinator:

Ms. Loretta Pilla
lpilla@corpuschristiacad.org

 
 
 
 
Pre-K Director:

Mrs. Cara Mia Duncan
cduncan@corpuschristiacad.org

 

I am so blessed to be a part of the Corpus Christi Academy family.   I grew up in Fairport Harbor where I attended St. Anthony of Padua Elementary School and Fairport Harbor Jr/Sr. High School.   My family instilled in me a love of community service that is deeply rooted in our Catholic faith.   My mother gifted me a love of education, teaching, and music.  My father gifted me a love of the outdoors and science.   My hope is that the children in our program leave with a sense of confidence as they continue to discover the gifts that God has given to them.

 
When I’m not at school, I can be found with my husband and children exploring Cleveland.  We are always ready to visit our amazing museums, take in a sports game, or just head out for a hike. I am also an active volunteer with the Western Reserve Junior Service League whose mission of service and education resonate with my beliefs.
 
Pre-K Teacher:

Ms. Katherine Quinlan
kquinlan@corpuschristiacad.org

 

 
Kindergarten:

Miss Donna Olp
kindergarten@corpuschristiacad.org

 I’m a singer of songs and a teller of tales
(Which they say is quite common with forebears from Wales).
I’ve a Master’s in Reading, but it’s Math that I love.
And the teachings of Christ I can’t get enough of!
It’s laughter I’m after, and kindness . . . that, too.
I teach Kindergarten—What else would I do?

 
 
Grade 1:

Ms. Bethany Nahra
bnahra@corpuschristiacad.org

 
Grade 2:

Ms. Violeta Penalvar
vpenalvar@corpuschristiacad.org

Grade 3:

Ms. Sandra Naffah
snaffah@corpuschristiacad.org

 
 
Grades 4-8 Religion Teacher; Campus Minister
Mrs. Brenda Crawford

 

I am very excited and blessed to be part of the Corpus Christi Community.  I have a BA in Secondary Education, History and Theology from Notre Dame College. I also attended Cleveland State working on Certification for TESOL/ESL. I have taught many grades from 3rd through 11th but my favorites are 4th and 5th. I have taught these grades for 14 years. I have facilitated a craft club, chess club, and jewelry club.  I love helping the students find their own creativity.

My children grew up in South Euclid and we attended Saint Gregory the Great. My younger daughter attended 7th and 8th grade in the day school. I taught PSR for twelve years and was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Now my own grandson is going into fourth grade. I am married to David, who is an Australian. For years I thought David made up weird and unusual names for things (they are true)! I go fishing often with my husband because he will fish while I enjoy nature, read a book and take walks. I enjoy spending time with my daughters and their families playing games, swimming in the pool and playing with the grandkids.

I am an SNDA (Sister of Notre Dame Associate). I have been sharing the charism, participating in faith sharing and retreats for eighteen years. I love sharing the Spirit of Christ with the students. The Church is very important to me and believe I share this through my actions and teachings.

Grade 5:

Ms. Valerie Walsh
vwalsh@corpuschristiacad.org

 

 
Grade 6 Homeroom: 6, 7, 8 Mathematics:

Mr. Thomas Houghtaling
thoughtaling@corpuschristiacad.org

 
 
 
Grade 7 Homeroom: 6, 7, 8 ELA, Reading:
 
Grade 8 Homeroom: 6, 7, 8 Social Studies/Science:

Mr. Nathan Bokros
nbokros@corpuschristiacad.org

 

 
Primary School Aide:
 
Pre-K Aide:

Mrs. Gina Perlatti
gperlatti@corpuschristiacad.org

Hello, CCA Family!  I am thrilled to be continuing my time at CCA as a preschool aide and guiding new friends on their educational journey.  I have been a part of the school since its inception and have been working in elementary school for 12 years.

 

 
I live in Lyndhurst with my husband, two daughters and five cats!  I love spending time with my family, friends, and animals of all kinds.  In my spare time, I enjoy baking, theatre, reading, and going on walks.
 
Pre-K Aide:
 
School Aide:

Mrs. Monica Warner
mwarner@corpuschristiacad.org

My love for teaching little children makes my job so much fun that at times I can’t believe I have been a preschool aide for over 30 years.

I live in Mayfield Heights with my husband Tom and we have three children and three grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with my family and I love taking long walks, attending art and craft festivals, and watching old movies.

 

 
 
Teacher Aide:

Mrs. Cassandra Neyland-Smith
secretary@corpuschristiacad.org

Hello, My name is Cassandra Neyland-Smith. I am a graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelors Degree in Education focusing on K-8. I am a mother of one that graduated from Corpus Christi Academy. My husband and I are both Cleveland natives. In my spare time I enjoy helping others, being involved in the Church and dancing.

Special Teachers

S.T.E.M./Computer Science:

Mr. Samuel Bergdorf
sbergdorf@corpuschristiacad.org

 

 
 
Physical Education:

Ms. Colleen Alexander
calexander@corpuschristiacad.org

 

 
 
Art:

Ms. Maribeth Smelko
msmelko@corpuschristiacad.org

 
 
Spanish:

Señora Silvia Sopko
senora@corpuschristiacad.org

​¡Hola! My name is Señora Sopko and I teach Spanish from Pre-K through eight grade. I feel blessed to be teaching at Corpus Christi Academy. I am originally from Argentina, and studied at the Colegio de Lenguas, Universidad de Córdoba. I have been teaching Spanish for over 30 years in different private and Catholic schools in the Cleveland and Akron areas.

I live in Brecksville with my husband Chris, and we have three wonderful children, Gabrielle, Jonathan and Joseph, in addition to two awesome grandchildren, Isaac and Lidia.
 
I love spending time with my family and friends, trying new recipes, traveling, and creating new games and activities to use in class.
 
I believe that in today’s world, learning a foreign language is a fundamental part of every student’s education.
My goal is to introduce your children to Spanish in a fun way through songs, stories, and games and to encourage them to do their best as they continue their studies in high school.
 
 
Music:

​
Ms. Beth Friedman-Romell
music@corpuschristiacad.org

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Eagles After Care:
 
Eagles After Care:

Mrs. Rose Gatto
aftercareaid@corpuschristiacad.org

Hi, I am Rose Gatto. I have lived in the Mayfield area for many years and am a parishioner of Saint Clare Church. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. After being in the corporate world for many years, last year was a nice change to be working with the wonderful staff at Saint Clare as an after care aide. I am looking forward to the after care program for the 2016-2017 school year at Corpus Christi.

 
 
Cafeteria Manager:

Auxiliary Team

Band:
 
Intervention Specialist:
 
Counseling:
 
Tutor:
 
Tutor:
 
Pastoral Associate, Director of Faith Formation and Religious Education:

Ms. Lori Mascia

I am blessed and honored as Pastoral Associate at the Church of Saint Clare to minister in faith formation and religious education, especially in the awesome work of helping children prepare to receive their Sacraments. I am certified by the Diocese of Cleveland as Lay Ecclesial Minister with degrees in Theology and Psychology from Notre Dame College and a Masters in Theology from Saint Mary Seminary.

When I’m not doing the work I love or taking care of my elderly parents, you can find me taking hikes with my dog, working in my garden, or sipping tea and reading. I spend as much time as I can with my grown children, but my true joy is spending time with my beloved grandsons. I am a St. Clare alum with a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and I look forward, with God’s grace, to supporting the children, families and staff of Corpus Christi Academy.

 
Assistant to the Director of Faith Formation and Religious Education:

Mr. Brad Jasko

I started working at the Church of Saint Clare in July 2022 in the Office of Faith Formation and Religious Education. Prior to starting at St. Clare’s, I taught Religion and English at Communion of Saints School, and have done youth and young adult ministry around the diocese in various ways. I was also in seminary studies and formation for the Diocese prior to teaching. When I am not at St. Clare’s, I enjoy reading, hiking, exercising, and spending time with friends and family.