St. Polycarp School employs a well-qualified staff with teachers who are credentialed and/or pursuing their credentials Our current staff consists of a principal, vice principal, and ten full time classroom teachers, which includes a technology teacher/coordinator.  St. Polycarp also employs a part time physical education teacher and a music teacher.

Of the St. Polycarp faculty and staff, five possess one or more Masters Degrees, while the average teaching experience varies from 3 years to 35 years.  All teachers have fulfilled or are working toward the Diocesan Religious Certification.  All staff members are fully certified in CPR and First Aid.

Formal and informal observations are conducted by the principal on a regular basis.  Faculty and staff each complete a Professional Excellence Survey and a Professional Development Format at specified intervals.  These forms enable the faculty or staff members to self-evaluate their professionalism and set professional goals for the coming years.  Both documents also give the opportunity for dialogue and professional guidance with/from the principal.  This dialogue continues throughout the school year in the form of updates on each faculty member’s professional growth.

Additional para-professional staff includes an administrative assistant, a receptionist, a librarian, two extended day care staff, and a full time teacher’s aide in kindergarten.  The school provides a hot lunch program through an outside catering company.  It also employs a part-time janitorial service.

Theresa Wyles - Principal

My name is Mrs. Wyles and I am proud to be the principal of St. Polycarp Catholic School. I was born and grew up in Wyoming earning my Bachelors Degree at the University of Wyoming. I moved to California in 1983 and have since earned my California Teaching Credential, a Master of Science in Education and a Master of Education in Education Leadership and Administration. I have been working in the Diocese of Orange for twenty six years, teaching all grade levels from first through eighth and presently completing my third year as principal of St. Polycarp School.

My mother used to tell me that teaching in a Catholic School wasn’t a job it was a vocation. I know this to be true. Each day I walk onto the campus of St. Polycarp School it is impossible not to smile and thank God for the opportunity to be a part of such an important mission; to educate our children. I am truly blessed.

Mrs. Diane Goodenough Lawson Grade K-1

My name is Mrs. Goodenough - Lawson and it is my delight and pleasure to be the Kindergarten teacher at St. Polycarp School.

    Through my family, I was inspired with a love for knowledge and learning. I attended public school, graduated, and continued my education at California State University Long Beach where I received a bachelor’s degree in art with a minor in biology.  Upon receiving my degree, I was employed in the private sector for a number of years. After leaving the private sector, I continued my education at California State University Fullerton where I received my multiple subject teaching credential.

    Beginning my faith journey over a decade ago inspired within me a desire to help educate and guide the future of our society, our students. While many people enter and exit a child’s life during their school years, it is the impression you leave with them that lasts forever. My goal therefore is to endow students with a sound moral foundation and hopefully inspire enthusiasm and confidence to continue with their education as my family inspired me.

Ms. Amber Hubback Grade K-2

My name is Ms.Hubback and I am so blessed to be joining St. Polycarp School as a Kindergarten teacher this. I am a Northern California native, born and raised near San Francisco. After graduating from University of the Pacific and completing my student teaching, I worked as a long-term substitute for a public school district for a year. After another four years of teaching primary grades up north, I moved to Orange County. From 2003-2007, I taught First Grade at St. Angela Merici School in Brea, and for the past two years I was a substitute for the Diocese. I am grateful to be a part of St. Polycarp School.

Mrs. Marline Kang Instructional Aid Grade K-2

Mrs. Patricia Ferrer - Grade 1

My name is Mrs. Ferrer and I am the First Grade teacher at St. Polycarp School. I really enjoy teaching First Graders. Six-year-olds are excited about learning and make amazing progress in just one year. I have taught First Grade here for ten years, but each year I am still amazed by the development and progress the children make during that time.

My history with the school goes back a lot further than ten years. It’s been almost twenty years since my daughter started kindergarten at St. Polycarp. My husband and I knew long before we even had children that they would one day be students of St. Polycarp School. We lived in the apartments behind the school when we first got married and we always loved the fact that St. Polycarp children were so happy on the playground. After our daughter started school here we knew we had made the right decision. She wasn’t just part of the school, she was part of the St. Polycarp family. Our son entered kindergarten five years after our daughter and I joined the school as a teacher four years after that.

St. Polycarp School offers more than just a quality, Catholic education. It offers a loving and caring environment that creates life-long bonds between friends, families and teachers alike. With each year that passes I find myself with more and more extended family and I look forward to teaching the younger brothers and sisters of the students I have in my class now.

Mr. Tom Lawson - Grade 2

It has been my pleasure teaching second grade at Saint Polycarp School these past nine years. I am a true believer in Catholic education. I believe Catholic values balanced with high academic standards are an important part in the formation of  today’s children. I attended Saint John of God School in Norwalk where I received an excellent Catholic education. My parents, along with my elementary school teachers, helped me to develop strong spiritual and academic foundations. This has helped me to strengthen my spiritual life and love of learning throughout my adult years. I graduated from Cerritos High School. I received a B.A. in  Math from California State University, Fullerton. I also received a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a M.S. in Education from Cal State Fullerton.

          I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a young boy. I used to play “School” with my friends. My parents also encouraged me to be a teacher by playing “School” with me. They were the “Pretend Students”. Before teaching at Saint Polycarp, I taught second grade for ten years at Saint Matthias School in Huntington Park near Los Angeles. I enjoy seeing the excitement on children’s faces when they learn a new concept. I also enjoy seeing the curiosity of children in learning new things. I take great joy in teaching second grade because  I prepare the students for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. Receiving these sacraments is an important step in the students’ faith formation.

            I was very fortunate to meet my wife at Saint Polycarp School, Mrs. Diane Goodenough- Lawson. She has been teaching Kindergarten at Saint Polcarp School for nine years. We live in Chino and enjoy spending time with our dog-daughter Lola in our free-time. I am looking forward to a wonderful school year and meeting all the families that make up our great community!

Ms. Leslie Veluz - Grade 3

Hello, my name is Ms. Veluz.  I am the third grade teacher at Saint Polycarp School.  This is my fifth school year teaching at Saint Polycarp School.  My Catholic education began at home with wonderful parents who gave me a gift of parochial education.  I attended Our Lady of Fatima School in Artesia, California where I found friends, confidence, and most importantly, faith.  In high school, I attended Saint Joseph High School, an all-girl’s Catholic high school, located in Lakewood, California.  It was in high school when I realized teaching was my vocation.  I received a B.A. in Liberal Studies in 2004 and a M.Ed in Cross-cultural Teaching in 2009.  I hold a California Multiple Subject Teaching credential which authorizes me to teach in grades K-6.  If you are curious to find out more, please check out my class website at http://msveluz.wordpress.com.

Ms. Michelle Charlesworth - Grade 4

Hello, my name is Ms. Charlesworth and I am the 4th grade teacher and one of the Drama Club Coaches at Saint Polycarp School. I am happy to be back at Saint Polycarp after two years of teaching and traveling in Asia; it truly feels like coming home.

I feel that I am the person that I am today because of the strong spiritual foundation that I received in my education and upbringing.  I graduated from Mater Die High School in 1991, go Monarchs! I went to Montana State University-Bozeman where I received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I then went on to complete my master’s degree in Special Education at Montana State University- Billings.

I love being a Catholic School teacher. It is my calling. I believe God gave me a gift of patience and creativity to work with children and help them bring out the best in themselves. I know all children can rise to any challenge they may face in school or life and I enjoy guiding them along the way. I do my best to provide children with hands-on learning opportunities that help guide them toward success. I believe that school should not only be a place where you receive a strong education, but also a place where you learn to be a good person.

Mrs. Sarah Walls - Grade 5

Hi, my name is Mrs. Walls and I grew up in Orange County. I received my Bachelor of Arts and Teaching Credential from Loyola Marymount University, and my Master of Arts in Education from Concordia University. I have been teaching for four years, and have been at St. Polycarp School for two of those years. Before becoming a teacher I worked as a daycare instructor and college campus minister. In addition to teaching 5th grade, I also coach the girls’ volleyball teams at St. Polycarp, and plays in a women's volleyball league in my free time. When I am not teaching or playing volleyball I love reading, traveling, and spending time with my husband and dog. One of my other hobbies is writing short stories, poetry and journaling. I love sharing this hobby with my students and enjoy helping them become better writers. I love being a part of the St. Polycarp School Family, and like making everyday with my students an exciting adventure in learning.

walls5thgrade@gmail.com

Ly Nguyen - Grade 6

My name is Ms. Nguyen and this is my third year teaching sixth grade at St. Polycarp School.  I feel blessed that God has given me the opportunity to love, serve and teach.  I attended the University of Cal State Fullerton with a B.A. in Liberal Arts.  I always loved to learn and knew at a young age that I want to share this passion with my students.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy biking, camping, reading, singing, and spending special times with my family and friends.  I am honored to have the opportunity to teach and help students learn more about Jesus Christ.  I am blessed to be part of this community and school.

Cynthia Kaniski - Grade 7

I was born and raised in Orange County, was married in 1991 and have one daughter. I began teaching in 2002-2003 in the Anaheim City School District. I started out in 3rd grade, then taught 4th grade and Kindergarten. I subbed in my offtrack times in all grades and as a Resource Teacher. I spent one year teaching High School -- Foreign Language (American Sign Language) in Thousand Oaks. I have been at St. Polycarp since 2006-2007 as 7th grade homeroom teacher and the Learning Support Coordinator since 2007. I attended National University for undergraduate and graduate work. I earned B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Minor in Literature along with a Multiple Subject CLAD/Clear credential (2002). I earned an M.A. in Crosscultural Education (2003). I recently worked on and completed an M.S. Administrative, Tier 1 (2009). I am happy to be a Pirate! We are a family oriented faculty-staff team that supports each other in every way we can.

Denise Filipek - Grade 8

Ms. Filipek

I am so pleased to be teaching junior high language arts at St. Polycarp School. My ties to the Saint Polycarp family run deep. Almost without interruption, there has been a Filipek or a Hizon (my mom’s family) attending or working at St Polycarp since 1962. Both of my parents, all my aunts and uncles, my cousins, and sisters are all proud alumni. All of this is a testament to my grandparents, Frank and Phyllis Filipek and Jose and Harriet (RIP) Hizon, who are committed to Catholic education and have been active parishioners here for nearly 50 years.

When I graduated from St. Polycarp, I attended Pacifica High School. There I participated in a rigorous and challenging honors/AP program, but I felt that something was missing. I missed being in a Catholic school. When I enrolled at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, I immediately knew I was in the right place. Here I was around like-minded and like-valued people, but I felt free to explore new ideas and concepts. It was also at LMU that I became committed to service as an outward expression of my faith.

As it came time to leave Loyola, I was unsure about what to do with my life. I knew I wanted to go into a field that combined my love for language with an opportunity to interact with people in a meaningful way. I considered jobs in publishing, journalism, and even entertained applying for law school when a wonderful opportunity presented itself.

I became a member of the inaugural cohort of Lasallian Alliance for New Catholic Educators (LANCE), a program based out of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. Modeled after the ACE program at Notre Dame University, LANCE seeks young, recent college graduates to work in the neediest Catholic schools. In return, students receive a grant from AmeriCorps and are able to complete a Master’s degree free of charge.

I was placed in a high school in downtown/midtown Memphis, where I taught English to grades 9 through 12. Although it was a difficult assignment, and the many of the struggles my kids were facing were heartbreaking, I learned that God always takes care of His people. I had three happy, successful years in Memphis, but felt homesick for California.

The summer I moved back home to Orange County, my youngest sister had just graduated from St. Polycarp. We thought our family was done with Saint Polycarp! Although my father, Philip, still volunteered occasionally, it seemed strange to no longer have the familiar Mayfair Blue plaid jumpers around the house. I looked around public school districts and other Catholic schools for a position, when my mother, Ana, suggested I apply at St. Polycarp. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Teaching at St. Polycarp is like coming home. There are still a few staff members and families around the school who either taught me or whose children were my classmates. Many traditions that I remember participating in are now my responsibility to plan. However, the biggest constant that I see is the excellence of education given in the most nurturing atmosphere. At Saint Polycarp, learning grows, creativity thrives, and we live our faith in everything we do. I am proud and honored to be a lifelong part of the Saint Polycarp family.

Reverend Quang Vinh Chu - Pastor

Mrs. Yen Nguyen Instructional Aid Grade K-1

Mrs. Bryan Pendergast - Vice Principal-Technology

Mrs. Barbara Bronaugh - Administrative Assistant

Cristina Rivas - Receptionist

Mrs. Roberta Kolano - Library

Nora Ruiz - Day Care Supervisor
 

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