2011-12 Faculty Staff Members
Mrs. Kate Geer (Kindergarten) Mrs. Geer has her Bachelors of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University. She taught at the Koinonia Homeschool Coop in Michigan prior to coming to Padre Pio Academy. Her soft-spoken gentle way of redirecting the students has truly been a blessing for the newest members of the Padre Pio community. Our youngest students leave the classroom knowing the Love that God has for each and every one of them thanks to Mrs. Geer and our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program.
Mrs. Amy Weishaar (Grades 1 and 2) Mrs. Weishaar has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Florida. She taught in the Lawrence Montissori school prior to coming to Padre Pio Academy. Her energy and enthusiasm for teaching is exemplified in the classroom. The children love her sweet smile and the parents are amazed at the progress the students make while they are with her.
Miss Tamara Twaddle (Dean of Operations, Grades 3 and 4) In addition to her degree from Thomas Aquinas College and her impressive success as a self-employed entrepreneur, Miss Twaddle has a particularly unique qualification—her grandparents founded a school in California very similar in style to Padre Pio Academy. Having grown up and taught in that atmosphere, Miss Twaddle is especially adept at making the most of a student’s Padre Pio experience.
Mrs. Karen Hernandez (Dean of Faculty, Grades 5 and 6) A native of the Kansas City Metro, Mrs. Hernandez is one of those very special individuals who, after gathering much valuable life experience, turned to education as a way to help others achieve. Her background includes supervisory and leadership roles in several industries. As the mother of a Padre Pio Academy graduate, she is particularly attuned to the needs of both students and their parents.
Miss Courtney Dunn (Grades 7 and 8) After completing high school here in her native Kansas, Miss Dunn chose California’s Thomas Aquinas College for her undergraduate work. Her background includes expertise in eye-related health technology and three years experience tutoring for an organization serving mostly underprivileged children in the Washington DC area.
Mrs. Ann Marie Alvey (Latin) After receiving her Master's of Arts degree from St. Mary's College, Mrs. Alvey went on to be trained to be a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd instructor. She is a Level 3 instructor which takes six years to complete. Her love for education and helping each student individually is very evident in the classroom.
Ms. Darlene Summerour (Music) "I love music!" is what we heard recently from one our students. A Bachelor's of Music Education from St. Mary's University followed by a Masters in Music Education from UMKC's Conservatory of Music has given Mrs. Summerour all the tools to be a fabulous music instructor. To top it off, her 35 years of teaching experience prior to Padre Pio Academy has greatly enriched the music program at Padre Pio Academy.
Mrs. Amanda O'Shaughnessey (Art) Mrs. O'Shaughnessey has her Bachelor's of Art Degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She currently teaches art for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Her love for the faith and God-given talents have discovered many budding artists in the Padre Pio students.
Mrs. Joanne Hanson (Administrator, 7th & 8th Grade Science) Padre Pio Academy co-founder and chairman of the board, Mrs. Hanson is a lifelong resident of Kansas with deep family roots in northwestern Johnson County. She brings a nursing educator background and career experience as a Registered Nurse to our science curriculum, giving it a unique practical perspective.
Mrs. Angela Wichlinski (Dean of Students, Administrative Assistant) Mrs. Wichlinski brings a unique array of skills to Padre Pio Academy. In addition to holding a Bachelor’s Degree in education from Illinois State University, she is a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her education experience includes extensive work in the field of early childhood special education.
Mrs. Jodi Wohletz (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) Mrs. Wohletz, a trained Speech Therapist by trade, found out about the Catechesis program six years ago while working with a local parish as their Religious Education instructor. She "fell in love" with the program and started the training. She helped to establish an atrium at her local parish and has worked as a Catechist for four years. Her skills as a trained Catechist have been essential in establishing this program at Padre Pio Academy.
Mrs. Dawn Basch (Speech Therapist)
Mrs. Hilary Trossen (Occupational Therapist)