Administration
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JOSEPH WHITMOREPrincipaljwhitmore@saintraphael.org
As a product of Catholic education, Mr. Whitmore values the importance of spiritual, social, emotional, and physical formation of students. After graduating from Virginia Tech, Mr. Whitmore taught at Saint Pius X Catholic School in Norfolk, VA and Saint Bridget Catholic School in Richmond, VA. In 2015, he began his administrative journey as principal at Saint Joseph Catholic School in Petersburg, VA. In all of these experiences, he has enjoyed working with individuals who support and promote Catholic education. Outside of his role as principal, Mr. Whitmore enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. |
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JACOB DAPOLITOAssistant Principal
Mr. Dapolito began teaching social studies at Saint Raphael in 2011, and was confirmed at Saint Raphael in 2014. He served as athletic director from 2012-2014, taught 7th and 8th grade social studies, and was the Dean of Students from 2015-2019. Mr. Dapolito enjoys family time with his wife and daughter. |
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ERIN BORETTIBusiness Services Coordinatoreboretti@saintraphael.org
Mrs. Boretti worked in corporate accounting for 8 years with US Foodservice, one of the United States leading foodservice distributors. While taking time to raise her three girls, she volunteered at her children’s school and family parish, Saint Catherine of Siena (Reading, PA) and returned to the accounting field in 2013, working for The Berkshire Country Club. In June 2015, Mrs. Boretti and her family moved to Raleigh to support her husband’s work transfer. She and her family are parishioners at Saint Raphael Catholic Church. |
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MARY MORGANEnrollment and Advancement Directormmorgan@saintraphael.org
Ms. Morgan has worked in design, advertising, and printing in both public and private industry. After six years as an SRCS kindergarten assistant, she returned to her field in 2013 in the marketing and recruitment office. In 2019, Ms. Morgan added the advancement director role, and enjoys all aspects of fundraising for SRCS. Her two children are graduates of SRCS, Sarah (Class of 2013) and Wills (Class of 2017). |
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KARA RECTENWALDRegistrar and Athletic Directorkrectenwald@saintraphael.org
Mrs. Rectenwald worked in sales and logistics before becoming the Athletic Director and a Teaching Assistant at Saint Raphael in 2015. She took over the role of registrar and office coordinator in 2019. She and her family have been parishioners of Saint Raphael since 2007 and they have two daughters, Samantha (Class of 2017) and Julia (Class of 2019). Go Guardians! |
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PATRICIA STEVENSIT Administratorpstevens@saintraphael.org
Mrs. Stevens began teaching for the Diocese of Raleigh in 2007, and joined Saint Raphael Catholic School in 2010. Mrs. Stevens has taught middle school math, technology, and has been a technology coach for teachers. In 2019, Mrs. Stevens became the IT administrator. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked for Xerox Corporation for 10 years in various technology and management positions, and was a software trainer for Gateway Corporation. Mrs. Stevens made the switch to education in 2005 when she took a job on the technology team with the Chappaqua School District in Chappaqua, NY. In 2006, her family moved to Raleigh. After settling in, she taught for four years at Saint Catherine of Siena in Wake Forest. |
Staff
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LEO EMATANurselemata@saintraphael.org
Mr. Emata was Jesuit educated from elementary school to college. He has three children: Therese, Ian, and Kate, two SRCS alumni, and one current Guardian. Mr. Emata is a member of the Knights of Columbus – Council 10982 and a certified NCHSAA soccer referee. Motto in Life: Trust God with all your Heart, Soul, and Strength. |
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KATHY KOENIGNursekkoenig@saintraphael.org Mrs. Koenig began her career as a registered nurse in 1997. She has experience in medical/surgical nursing, and in acute care hemodialysis nursing at Wake Medical Center, Rex Hospital, and Duke Health Raleigh. Mrs. Koenig was the infection control nurse for her unit, providing education and prevention strategies to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. She is a parishioner at Saint Raphael Catholic Church and is the mother of 3 SRCS graduates, Tyler (Class of 2008), Matthew (Class of 2019), and Tommy (Class of 2020). Mrs. Koenig has spent countless hours volunteering her time over the years at SRCS in many different capacities and finds joy in serving others. She looks forward to partnering with families in caring for the health and wellness of our students. |
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ERIN LUTSKUSSchool Counselorelutskus@saintraphael.org
Mrs. Lutskus is originally from New Jersey and has been a licensed counselor for over 15 years. She has experience in a variety of settings: schools, private practice, in-patient hospitals, crisis/mobile response, juvenile detention, and in-home/community therapy. Mrs. Lutskus moved to North Carolina in 2017 with her husband and 2 children, Ian (class of 2023) and Camille (class of 2026). Mrs. Lutskus is also the product of a Catholic school education and understands the emphasis on academics, promoting Catholic values, fostering healthy social relationships, and creating a supportive environment for the students. |
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ANN LANEAfter-School Care Coordinatoralane@saintraphael.org Mrs. Lane moved here from Chicago to be closer to family. Mrs. Lane is a grandmother of six beautiful children. She has learned that working with children is her calling in life, and enjoys her passion to its fullest. |
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TERI WOODSAfter-School Care AssistantMrs. Woods has served as a teaching assistant in kindergarten at Saint Raphael since 2012. She previously worked both at the Saint Raphael Preschool with the lunch bunch and the Saint Raphael After School program for 3 years, responsible for the K-3 age group. Prior to these official capacities, Mrs. Woods spent a significant amount of time volunteering at SRCS during her off time from managing a local children’s clothing store. Mrs. Woods and her family are parishioners at Saint Raphael Catholic Church, and her daughter, Kelsey, is an alumna, SRCS Class of 2016. |
Elementary Faculty
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JENNIFER LEVENDUSKIKindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Levenduski joined the SRCS faculty in 2013. She taught first grade for 4 years before becoming a kindergarten teacher. She is happy to be a part of the Saint Raphael family! |
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ELEANOR ESCALERAKA Assistanteescalera@saintraphael.org |
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TARA-MARIE HANDSKindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Hands was born and raised in New Jersey. In 2015, she moved to Raleigh with her husband Keith and four children; Dylan, Alayna, Angelica and Brody. She has taught second grade for 5 years and fourth/fifth grade ELA for one year. In her spare time she enjoys reading, shopping and spending time with her family. She is extremely excited to be teaching at SCRS to practice and share her Catholic faith. |
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ESTELA GIROUXKindergarten Teaching Assistant
Mrs. Giroux was born and raised in México City. She moved to North Carolina in 2004 to continue her professional career as a Biochemical Engineer in the meat industry. She is married, has 3 children, and is very grateful to share and live the love of Jesus with the kindergartners in the SRCS community. |
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VICTORIA JENNYFirst Grade Teacher
Victoria Jenny has taught in North Carolina for over 16 years with 9 of those years in first grade. Victoria married her high school sweetheart and has 2 teenage boys, Kiefer and Colby. |
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OLIVIA SPANGENBERGFirst Grade Teaching Assistant
Mrs. Spangenberg was born and raised in Raleigh. She graduated from SRCS in 2010, Cardinal Gibbons in 2014, and Barton College in 2018. Mrs. Spangenberg is currently on track to become a speech language pathologist. At Barton, Mrs. Spangenberg played on the women’s volleyball team winning two NCAA conference championships. Mrs. Spangenberg’s passion for working with children led her to work at SRCS’s after-school-care program throughout high school and college. |
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CARA STAUFFERFirst Grade Teacher
Mrs. Stauffer is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, and attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She started teaching at SRCS in 2002, and is happiest when working with her students and watching them succeed! |
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THERESA GASPERFirst Grade Teaching Assistant
Mrs. Gasper started her teaching career in 1989 for the Diocese of Syracuse teaching first grade at Saint Thomas Aquinas in Binghamton, NY. After getting married, she moved to Raleigh and began teaching in the Diocese of Raleigh at Saint Raphael in 1997. She was the school librarian at SRCS for two years. After taking time off to start a family, she returned to teach at the preschool for a year, and then began her time at the elementary school in 2006 filling the role as assistant teacher. Mrs. Gasper has been a parishioner of Saint Raphael since 1996 and is married to her husband, Greg. Their three children are, Meghan (Class of 2012), Sarah (Class of 2015) and Sam (Class of 2016). |
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JENNIFER DAVISKindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Davis is originally from Buffalo, NY, but grew-up in Fort Worth, TX. After graduating from college, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy to travel the world and to seek adventure. It is there that she met her husband, Greg, and together they now have four children. Mrs. Davis has taught both kindergarten and second grade, and her favorite subject is writing. She and her family are parishioners at Saint Catherine of Siena in Wake Forest, and they live in Youngsville. In her spare time, Mrs. Davis enjoys reading, fishing, and playing board games with her family. She also likes to birdwatch and work in her flower garden. |
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DIANA ROVNAKSecond Grade Teaching AssistantMrs. Rovnak is originally from Williamsport, Ohio. She and her husband moved to North Carolina over 20 years ago for the beautiful weather, beaches, and mountains. They have 3 children attending college at UNC Charlotte and UNC Wilmington. She worked in the mortgage and credit industry before volunteering as a catechist for 10 years at Saint Catherine of Siena. She enjoys being a part of the Saint Raphael School team and continuing to help children in their journey of learning and faith. |
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JENNIFER TUCKERSecond Grade Teacher
Mrs. Tucker has taught in elementary school for 12 years. She has previous experience teaching first and fifth grade, as well as K-5 Resource. She is excited to continue her Saint Raphael experience as a second grade teacher. |
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JACQUELINE LONNECKERSecond Grade Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Lonnecker worked as a substitute teacher after having taught her four children at home and in homeschool cooperatives for twenty years. She has taught nearly all grade levels in multiple subjects in group settings. She has lived in North Carolina since 2010 with her husband, Greg. She is so excited to be working at Saint Raphael Catholic School where she can practice her Catholic faith. |
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DIANA BRICTSONThird Grade Teacher
Mrs. Brictson is a native of Denver, Colorado, and a product of Catholic education from preschool through graduate school. She previously taught in Charlotte and Leawood, Kansas, before spending many years at home with her children, Ford (SRCS 2015, CGHS 2019) and Will and Katherine (SRCS 2020, CGHS 2024). She has taught fifth grade and third grade at Saint Raphael and enjoys sharing her faith and love for Catholic education! |
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KELLY CANNINGThird Grade Teacher
Ms. Canning is originally from the northern suburbs of Chicago. She spent several years working at a Franciscan soup kitchen in Philadelphia where her Catholic Faith was strengthened, and she developed a passion for serving the poor – a love of service is something she hopes to pass onto her students. Ms. Canning began her teaching career at The Franciscan School in 2012 and is very excited to be a part of the Saint Raphael community! |
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MARY-HAVEN MONAHANFifth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Monahan received a K-8 Catholic education, to which she attributes her love for education and her Catholic faith. She excitedly pursued her love for education at NC State University. Her elementary education degree has a concentration in STEM, and she enjoys using STEM concepts to excite her students through hands-on learning in the classroom. She was eager to join the Saint Raphael family since her grandparents became parishioners in 1967, and she has two cousins who are SRCS alumni. |
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JENNIFER STAMATIOFifth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Stamatio was born and raised in Los Angeles and moved to the Raleigh area with her husband and two sons. She taught in Catholic and public schools in Los Angeles for 19 years. Mrs. Stamatio loves being a part of the Saint Raphael parish and school community. |
MELANIE BOCARROK-5 Resource Teacher
Mrs. Bocarro was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she received a Catholic education from Kindergarten through 12th grade. After graduating from Louisiana State University, she began teaching in 2000 as a 1st grade teacher in Wilmington, DE. She moved to Raleigh with her husband, Jason, an NC State professor, in 2005. She received her Master’s in Reading Education from NC State in 2009. From there, she transitioned to working as a reading specialist in both public and private schools. She absolutely loves working with children and is very excited to join SRCS with her 2 children, Mia (Class of 2024) and Liam (Class of 2027). |
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KAREN PALMERK-5 Resource Teacher
Mrs. Palmer taught elementary school for 14 years. After taking a break to raise her 3 children, Reeves (Class of 2018), Allie (Class of 2021) and Lilly (Class of 2021), she began working at SRCS in 2015. |
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DEBBIE HAMRICKResource Teacher
Mrs. Hamrick has taught at Saint Raphael since 1998, and has watched the school grow from a K-3 school to a school that offers so many opportunities to all children. Mrs. Hamrick began her teaching career at a Catholic school in Greensboro where she taught kindergarten for seven years. After retiring from SRCS in 2020, she returned to be a resource teacher for our younger grades. |
Middle School Faculty
Specials Faculty
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PHYLLIS ZAGROBELNYLibrarian
Mrs. Zagrobelny has managed the school library program since 2008, where she combines technology skills with her love of reading. She holds a North Carolina teaching license specialization for School Media Centers. She is a member of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a member of the NC School Library Media Association (NCSLMA), and a member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). As a founding school family, Mrs. Zagrobelny feels privileged to give back to our school through serving the students of SRCS. |
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JOE HIGLEYPhysical Education Teacher
Mr. Higley grew up in New Jersey and has lived in North Carolina since 2016. He taught P.E. and Health, kindergarten through grade 8, in a Catholic school setting since 2010; officiated high school track and field, middle school basketball and soccer, and helped develop lessons and activities for the 21st Century Community Learning Center after-school program. Mr. Higley also coached middle school soccer, volleyball, and basketball and coaches our boys’ soccer team at SRCS. He brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to SRCS, both in his classes and on the field. |
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KELLEIGH RUSSOPhysical Education Teacher
Mrs. Russo started her career teaching at Saint John Neumann in Lilburn, GA, married, and moved to Raleigh. After having three children, she returned to teaching at Saint Raphael and has been at SRCS since 2004. She coached SRCS basketball for 3 years and has coached high school volleyball and ultimate Frisbee. Mrs. Russo’s hobbies are tennis, cycling, golf, working out, and spending time with her family. |
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CINDI MESSINAArt Teacher
Mrs. Messina initiated the art program at SRCS in 2001. She taught advertising design at the Montclair Art Museum and New York University School of Continuing Education. Mrs. Messina has ten years’ experience in advertising as a Senior Art Director in New York City where she won a John Caples Award and Direct Marketing Creative Guild Awards for her design in advertising. Mrs. Messina was the 2015 recipient of the Diocese of Raleigh Lewis Award which recognizes excellence in teaching. She is a member of the National Art Educators Association. She and her husband, Michael, have three children. |