I am the Director of Religious Education for St. Mary parish and coordinate the first communion preparation classes for the children preparing for that sacrament.  After years of teaching religious education as a volunteer (I started out as a teacher’s aide when I was 13 years old), I decided to make it my career in 2005 when I accepted my first DRE position.  I am an advocate for Catholic schools, as most of my elementary and high school education was in Catholic schools in St. Louis, Pennsylvania, and New York state.  My Bachelor’s Degree is in Consumer Services from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and I hold a Master of Theological Studies from the University of Dallas.  Each year I look forward to partnering with our SMS families as we prepare the children for their first penance and first communion.