Faculty

TEACHER 7th/8th
Mr. Kevin McNeill (Principal)
Originally, Mr. McNeill joined the school in 2003 as the primary High School teacher, covering most of the core subjects
(Religion, Literature, History) for various grades as well as some secondary subjects (Latin, Geography, Grammar). After
two years at this position, he became the Principal of the Academy. In addition to his duties as Principal, he has also
remained an active teacher. This year he is the primary teacher for 7th/8th grades, covering Religion, History, Math and
Language Arts.
Mr. McNeill is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College, receiving his BA in Liberal Arts in 1996.

TEACHER K-1st
Mrs. Carolyn Mitchell
Mrs. Mitchell has been with the school since its inception in 1999. Initially she started by teaching all the
subjects in grades K-3rd. Within a few years she took over the leadership role of Principal (2000) while
continuing to teach full time in the lower grades. After handing over the reins to Mr. McNeill in 2005, she has
devoted herself to teaching in grades K-1st.
Mrs. Mitchell is a native of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

TEACHER 2nd-4th
Miss Tamara Twaddle
A recent and pleasant addition to the Academy occured in 2006 with the hiring of Miss Twaddle. She had gained previous
teaching experience while working at her mother's school in California. She has proved very capable in handling the duties
of 2nd-3rd grades and has even agreed to take on the teaching of 4th grade for this year as well.
Miss Twaddle is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College, receiving her BA in Liberal Arts in 2000.

TEACHER 5th-6th
Mrs. Karen Hernandez
After her son graduated from Padre Pio Academy in 2005, Mrs. Hernandez came on board to teach grades
4th-6th and has continued to instruct 5th-6th grades this year. In her previous life, Mrs. Hernandez has
worked with pre-school children and was also an office manager. But she has found her greatest joy being in
the classroom.
Mrs. Hernandez is a native of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

GRAMMAR/COMPOSITION, LATIN & CHOIR
Mrs. Kay O'Connor
Mrs. O'Connor joined the school in the same year as Mr. McNeill, bringing her love of Grammar and Composition. As
a part time teacher she has primarily taught these subjects to grades ranging from 4th to 8th. Lately she has also happily
applied herself to mastering Latin, which she teaches to the upper grades. Another duty she has willingly shouldered has
been the conducting of our school choir.
Mrs. O'Connor is a former senator of the Kansas State Legislature.

SEWING (5th-8th)
Mrs. Matulis
Working with the girls in grades 5th-8th, Mrs. Matulis is teaching various Sewing skills as they create different
artistic items throughout the year.
Mrs. Matulis is a parent of Padre Pio Academy.

ART (K-8th)
Mrs. Julie Flanagan
Mrs. Flanagan is an accomplished artist in her own right who has worked extensively with local parochial
schools. She is also a very popular instructor at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. She came on board in 2006 as
our Art instructor, bringing her wide range experience in teaching Art along with a great passion for opening
this world to young children.

SCIENCE (7th/8th)
Mrs. Joanne Hanson
As a science teacher, Mrs. Hanson brings her experience of medical school as well as a practicing nurse.
Mrs. Hanson is a parent of Padre Pio Academy and native of the local area.