About.Saint Ambrose Academy (SAA) aims to create a unique support space for Catholic homeschooling families in the surrounding Pittsburgh area and throughout the US as well as foster a spirit of community among participating families. Saint Ambrose Academy meets twice weekly for classes implemented by qualified instructors in order to educate children in a classroom setting in partnership with their parents at home as a Catholic hybrid homeschool co-op.
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Established in 2018Coming soon.
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Our GoalAnna and Erica hope to expand Saint Ambrose Academy to help homeschooling families educate all academic grades from Preschool through 12th grade.
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Our Pittsburgh Team
Montessori Pre-K & Kindergarten
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 2 Lead Catechist
Celine Mitchell
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 2 Lead Catechist
Celine Mitchell
My name is Celine Mitchell I am a Master Catechist in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and an international CGS Formation Leader. I have also led courses for the Missionaries of Charity in the Russian and Caribbean Regions, in Brazil and San Francisco. Besides working with adults in catechetical ministry, I am a certified Montessori guide for primary level, ages 3-6 and have great respect for the young child. I began the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at several parishes and have assisted numerous parishes in starting CGS in the Pittsburgh Diocese and internationally. I am also the Director of Faith Formation at St. Fidelis Parish, Butler, PA. My husband, Bob and I have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. Bob is also a CGS catechist, having taken both Level I and II formation courses. We live at Good Shepherd House of Prayer where I oversaw primary Montessori with a group of homeschool families for several years in my prepared Montessori environment. I am also a consultant for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Montessori method of education, and family ministry.
Montessori Pre-K & Kindergarten
Nancy Johnson
Nancy Johnson
My name is Nancy Johnson. I am thrilled to be a part of St. Ambrose as both a parent and a teacher. This is my first year homeschooling my children, ages 5, 3 and 1. I previously taught at the Western PA Montessori School in Allison Park, PA and at Montessori Children’s Community in Sewickley, PA. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the History of Art and Architecture alongside a concentration in Elementary Education. I returned for a Master of Arts in Teaching with a K-6 certification after working for several years in architecture, design and sales. I felt an undeniable pull to teaching and am so glad I followed the call! As a “Montessori Child” myself, I knew from the start that I wanted to be involved in Montessori education. I completed my Montessori Training and Certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. As a mother, I love seeing the real-life impact of Montessori at home. I’m happy to answer any questions parents may have about bridging the gap between home and school!
Montessori Pre-K & Kindergarten Aide
Robin Mauser
Robin Mauser
I’m Robin Mauser and I will be assisting in the Montessori room this year. It is an honor to be a part of this great adventure! I am a former elementary school teacher and homeschooling mom. I love to read and I am currently making my way through Dante’s Divine Comedy for the second time as well as finishing Sigid Undset’s Kristin Lavransdatter triology. I am a member of St. John XXIII Parish. Above you see me with my mother-in-law in Monet’s Garden.
Afternoon Program Teacher
Jenny Choi
Jenny Choi
Mrs. Jenny Lee Choi was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Atlanta, GA. She is married to Mr. John Choi and has a daughter, Francesca. She is a graduate of Kennesaw State University. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over 10 years of experience in tutoring and education, in particular with Preschool children. She has also served as a catechist for multiple grades. She is fluent in English and Korean. She enjoys crafting, yoga and running. She has run multiple half-marathons and 5Ks.
Jenny is excited to work alongside administrators, staff members and parents at St. Ambrose Academy to provide our students with a well-rounded education inside and outside the classroom. She is looking forward to this incredible journey.
Jenny is excited to work alongside administrators, staff members and parents at St. Ambrose Academy to provide our students with a well-rounded education inside and outside the classroom. She is looking forward to this incredible journey.
Physical Education Teacher
Drew Landefeld
Drew Landefeld
Elementary: 1st Grade Teacher
Lisa Clerici
Lisa Clerici
My name is Lisa Clerici. I finished homeschooling the third of my three children in 2018. I firmly believe God opened the door to Saint Ambrose Academy for me, because I didn’t know how God would use me after homeschooling for more than 15 years. Prior to homeschooling I was a speech-language pathologist specializing in the treatment of tracheostomized and laryngectomized patients. I have undergraduate degrees in elementary education and psychology from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN; and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the Ohio State University. I have been married to my husband, Fred, for thirty years. I feel blessed to be teaching the first grade at SAA!
Elementary: 2nd Grade Teacher
Stephanie Mackin
Stephanie Mackin
My name is Stephanie Mackin and I am excited to be a part of St. Ambrose Academy. After graduating from Penn State with a B.S. in Elementary Education, I moved to Annapolis to teach fourth grade. When my first child was born, I decided to stay home with him, and have been home educating our now four children ranging in ages from 4-11 for the past 5 years. Our family has been a part of the Totus Tuus homeschool co-op where I have volunteered to teach various classes. As I take on a teaching position at St. Ambrose this year, I hope to be a source of encouragement for parents and to help inspire their children to a love for learning.
Elementary: 3rd Grade Teacher
Adrienne Zink
Adrienne Zink
My name is Adrienne Zink and I am thrilled to be the third grade teacher at St. Ambrose Academy. After graduating from Duquesne University with a B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education, I taught first and second grade at St. Philip's School in Crafton. Then, I moved to Middle School Special Education for three years in a Public School. However, I left the classroom when my oldest was born and have been educating my three children at home ever since. This year, I am pleased to have my children enrolled at St. Ambrose Academy. Aside from being a mother, and educator of my children, I also teach Irish Step Dancing class for the Pittsburgh Irish Reelers and teach English to Chinese students via the Internet. We have enjoyed being a part of the Totus Tuus co-op and Maranatha. I am blessed to assist families in the adventure that homeschooling is!
Elementary: 4th Grade Teacher
Chiara Feeley
Chiara Feeley
My name is Chiara Feeley and I am honored to be a part of Saint Ambrose Academy! I live in Ross Township with my husband John. I have had a love for teaching since I was a little girl. I remember the joy I felt when I got my first opportunity in high school to teach Spanish at a local grade school. I knew from that first day that God was calling to serve through education. I graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2012 with my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Since then, I have had various teaching experiences in Pittsburgh. I began my teaching with a half day kindergarten program. Some of my favorite memories from then are watching the kids learn to put letter sounds together to read words. I then had an opportunity to teach at Saint Kilian Parish School in the spring of 2016 for a second grade class. I was very blessed to be able to help form the kids in their faith and witness them receive their first holy communion! For the past three years, I have been a substitute teacher in Pine Richland. I most recently taught at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School in 4th-6th grade. I really enjoyed the variety of every day. One day I would teach fifth grade math, and the next day I would be teaching art class for all three grade levels. Throughout all of these experiences, my favorite subjects to teach have been English Language Arts and History. Every grade level has been its own adventure and my preference has been kindergarten through 3rd grade. I look forward to being a part of the Catholic homeschool community at Saint Ambrose Academy and can’t wait to meet everyone!
Upper Elementary & Middle School: Latin Teacher
Michael J. Murphy
Michael J. Murphy
My name is Michael Murphy, I am 69 years old. I have been married to my wife, Esther, for thirty-eight years. We have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. I have been engaged in the private practice of law since 1975. I am a lifelong parishioner at St. Therese parish in Munhall. I believe that a knowledge of Latin helps a student in a variety of ways. It is certainly a vocabulary builder; so much of English vocabulary is Latinate in origin. It is also just plain fun as an intellectual pursuit. Latin opens the door to a study of the Roman empire. It played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity in particular and Western civilization in general. Aquinas, Copernicus, and Newton all wrote in Latin. In high school the Jesuit fathers had us put the letters "AMDG" at the top of our papers. It stands for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - "To the greater glory of God." It is worth studying Latin just to grasp that concept. My schooling includes the following; University of Pittsburgh School of Law J.D. - 1975, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, B.A. in English – 1971, Bishop's Latin School – 1967, and St. Therese of Lisieux Elementary School - 1963
Upper Elementary & Middle School: Literature & History Teacher
John Choi
John Choi
Mr. John Choi was born in South Korea and is married to Mrs. Jenny Lee Choi. Together they are parents to their daughter, Francesca Choi. Mr. Choi is an avid reader and traveller, dishwasher, and business owner. He enjoys reading history and literature from various time periods. He is multi-lingual speaking in English, Spanish, Italian, and Korean. He has also lived in Korea, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Costa Rica and the United States. He holds a Licentiate (Masters of the Arts) Summa cum Laude in Philosophy from his alma mater Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum with a specialization in Metaphysics and Philosophical Theology. His Licentiate Thesis studied the often forgotten transcendental aliquid (other) in Aquinas which can be found here. He is a certified Adult Learning and Development and Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) specialist and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (American Standard of Quality) and has published the White Paper The Qualfon Way on creating a person-centered pedagogy for Continuous Improvement in organizations.
Upper Elementary & Middle School: Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Teacher
Kelly Urban
What would someone with degrees in Chemical and Environmental Engineering teach in a hybrid school? The writing class, of course! I am excited to join the staff at St. Ambrose Academy to teach writing and grammar to the fourth through seventh grades. Studying at Penn State University, I earned my engineering degree and afterwards worked for 5 years at Michael Baker, Inc. in their environmental department before deciding to stay home with my two children. While I was home with my children, we were nudged by God to homeschool and have followed that calling for the past seven years. Surprisingly, it is amazing how much I have enjoyed teaching in the co-op settings for Totus Tuus, Classical Conversations, Marantha, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and last year as a substitute for St. Ambrose. After learning the IEW method for writing, I knew it was a method that would have benefited my engineering mind in school and have since become a registered instructor of the IEW Structure and Style Writing Method. I am now excited to share this systematic method with students who love to write and also with those, like I was, who may not share that same joy. It is going to be a fun year and I cannot wait to get started.
Upper Elementary & Middle School: Mathematics Teacher
Jennifer Motes
Jennifer Motes
My name is Jenn Motes, and I am delighted to introduce myself as the Upper Elementary Math teacher at Saint Ambrose Academy! I grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Duquesne University with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Mathematics minor. My next five years were spent teaching fourth and fifth grade at a classical Christian school in the Chicago area, where I developed a deep appreciation for classical education. My husband, Philip, and I returned to Pittsburgh to begin our family; Callie was born in 2016, and Weston was born in 2018. I taught middle school math for two years before my primary role became a stay-at-home mom, and I am so excited for the opportunity to teach at SAA alongside teachers and parents with similar passions. My hope is to pass on my enthusiasm for math to all of my students!
Upper Elementary & Middle School: Science
Joyce Mundy
Joyce Mundy
I am overjoyed to join the Saint Ambrose Academy team! I live in Valencia with my Husband, Dean, of 37 years. We have 4 mostly grown children, (3 adults, 1 teenager), and a grandson. I have a great love for teaching students of all ages. I have a very clear understanding of various learning styles of students and am personally invested in helping students grow intellectually and spiritually. My credentials include a Bachelor Degree from San Jose State University, an Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from Pennsylvania State University, a Teaching Credential from San Jose State University and a current Teaching Credential from the State of Pennsylvania. I am also a Master Catechist. I am a member of the service team for Magnificat Pittsburgh and a volunteer wish grantor for the Make A Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. I love reading, traveling, painting, drawing and spending time with my family.
My favorite scripture to start the day: EPHESIANS, CHAPTER 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
My favorite scripture to start the day: EPHESIANS, CHAPTER 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
Elementary Music Teacher
Dana Bruno
Dana Bruno
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 1 Lead Catechist
Maura McDowell
Maura McDowell
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 3 Lead Catechist
7th Grade Religion Teacher
Victoria Sheridan
7th Grade Religion Teacher
Victoria Sheridan
My first introduction to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd occurred at our parish in Chicago when our eldest daughter (now 21) was a toddler and I was immediately hooked. I took all three levels of catechist training back to back for four years and learned things about the faith that I had not encountered during my Master of Divinity degree! I couldn't find an atrium in Baltimore, where I was homeschooling our three girls while my husband completed his medical training, so I started one. I have been a catechist for all three levels but particularly enjoy Level III and am happy to be able to continue learning about Jesus and the faith with the homeschool children I have worked with at St. John Neumann for the past three years. I am passionate about helping kids (or anyone) open themselves to the transforming love of Christ, our Good Shepherd, through scripture study, prayer and exploration of the richness of our Catholic faith. Leading the SAA 7th graders in a study of the Acts of the Apostles this year will add a new dimension to my ministry with young people. May God bless our efforts to draw closer to him alongside these precious children!
7th Grade Discipleship Teacher
Maria Fenner
Maria Fenner
I’m Maria Fenner, I recently earned my BA in Italian Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and am currently a graduate student at Franciscan University of Steubenville. After a brief exploration of a career in the medical world, I felt Christ’s call to work within the Church. During the past year I’ve been working on my Master’s degree in Catechetics and Evangelization, and spending most of my free time helping organize graduate student events through the Newman Center at the Pittsburgh Oratory in Oakland. With only two semesters left in my Master’s program I’m ready to start putting all I’ve learned at Franciscan into practice, and I couldn’t be more excited to help my seventh graders grow in love of Christ and knowledge of how to live the Faith.
As Pope Saint John Paul II has said, the task of education belongs primarily to parents. To support this, our staff must be able to teach by example as much as by word. The instructors will sign a statement of faith agreeing to adhere to the teaching of the Catholic Church within the classroom.
Please note for the protection of our students and staff, all instructors and volunteers at Saint Ambrose Academy will have Pennsylvania State Child Abuse and criminal clearances.
Though all men think, thinking can be done well or badly, and one can be taught to do it well.
The role of the teacher is this: teaching children to think well.
- Laura M. Berquist