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.

Established in 2018

Coming soon.

Our Goal

Anna and Erica hope to expand Saint Ambrose Academy to help homeschooling families educate all academic grades from Preschool through 12th grade. 

Our Pittsburgh Team

Montessori Pre-K & Kindergarten
Laura Duffy

Montessori Pre-K & Kindergarten
Ashley Marsilio

From a very young age, I knew I had a passion for working with children.  I began my journey as an intern managing a community summer playground program for at-risk children while completing my undergraduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Slippery Rock University.  After graduating and relocating to Maryland, I started my professional career by working as a Child and Youth Program Assistant at the Child Development Center within the National Naval Medical Center.  It was at this point when Montessori found me.  I transitioned into a position at a Montessori school in Frederick, Maryland, and started my Montessori journey.  While working in the classroom, I received my Montessori training for ages birth-3 years at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Training in Silver Spring, Maryland.  Suddenly my passion came alive and in full force as I finally found my calling.  I worked as a lead teacher in a pre-primary Montessori classroom until my first child was born.  After childbirth, I began the next step in my journey as a Montessori mother to my two children.  Now, I am overly joyed and excited to be back in the classroom.  I  completed my Montessori Primary age 3-6  training through NAMC in the fall of 2020 along with my Catechesis of the Good Shepherd level 1 training, and I cannot be more excited to share this passion and knowledge with your children.

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Montessori Pre-K & Kindergarten
Vicki Rispoli

Montessori Pre-K & Kindergarten Aide
Elisabeth Franzetta

Elisabeth Franzetta is a Catholic convert, Suzuki certified violin teacher, and mother of 3 rambunctious boys. While new to the Montessori classroom, Elisabeth has a life-long love of teaching and learning. Elisabeth has earned degrees in Violin Performance, Music Pedagogy, and Music and Human Learning, and has taught music in such diverse places as Chicago, Texas, and China. Her education and years of teaching experience have helped prepare her for the most important teaching assignment of her life: being a full-time mom! She is delighted to now be a part of the SAA community. ​

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Montessori Pre-K & Kindergarten Aide
Crystal Risacher

Classical Kindergarten & Extended Afternoon Program Teacher
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. 

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Extended Afternoon Program Teacher
​Rachel McAdams

Physical Education Teacher
Marla Piccolino

Elementary: 1st Grade Teacher
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!

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Elementary: 1st Grade Teacher
Caryn Martin

Elementary: 2nd Grade Teacher
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. 

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Elementary: 3rd Grade Teacher
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!

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Elementary: 4th Grade Science and Math Teacher
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Upper Elementary: Latin Teacher
Liz Wittman

Middle School & High School: Latin Teacher
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

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Upper Elementary & Middle School: 4th, 5th & 6th Grade Literature & History Teacher
Alicia Stull

Middle School & High School: 7th, 8th & 9th Grade Literature & History Teacher
Christina Pankus

Hello, I am Christina Pankus, and I’m excited to be a part of St. Ambrose Academy. 
I studied History and Literature at Franciscan University and I’ve loved the Medieval Ages since first reading King Arthur and Robin Hood.
I enjoy all aspects of social history; art, literature, culture, clothing and food. I love books and hope to impart these things in the classroom. 

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​ Upper Elementary & Middle School: Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Teacher
Laura Primyon

 Upper Elementary & Middle School: Mathematics Teacher
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! 

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Middle School & High School: 6th - 10th Grade Science
Ann Caputo​

​7th & 8th Grade Religion Teacher
Dolores Shipe

7th - 10th Grade Religion, 9th Grade Mathematics
Natalie DiVietri

​Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 2 and Level 3 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.

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​Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 3 Lead Catechist
Erin Patrizio

​Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 1 Lead Catechist
Marian Goetz

​Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 1 Lead Catechist
Marilyn Hans

​Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 1 Lead Catechist
Melanie Feeley

​Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 2 Lead Catechist
Nicole Albanese

Co-Administrators and Co-Founders
​Anna Utley & Erica Paul

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