What is your education?

I have a Bachelors Degree in Biology from Alliance College in Pennsylvania.  I have a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

How many years have you been at at SMA?

I have been here for 13 years.

What is your teaching/work experience beyond SMA?

I worked one year at the Kuwait English School in Kuwait;  one year at Queen of Peace School in the Marshall Islands; and seven Years at Notre Dame Catholic School in Lakewood.  

What awards or honors have you received?

I am honored to be mom to two wonderful young adults.     

What would you name as an impressive classroom/curriculum moment you have experienced?

I think I have had some successes in integrating Project Based Learning (PBL) and Understanding by Design (UbD) into the 7th grade science experience. (SMA faculty have been studying and working with PBL and UbD, two major educational initiatives, for the past few years. JoAnn is a leader in applying these methods.)

What is something about yourself to share with SMA community that we might not already know?

You might not know that I graduated from the Catholic Biblical School. This past December, I completed and received certification in Paleontology from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.       

News:                

Events:

• January 18, 7:00 AM, Chess Club, LS Library

• January 18, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Prayer Service 

• January 21, M.L.K., Jr. Day - Academy Closed 

• January 25, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Fitness  Friday

• February 1, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Kindergarten Cowpoke

• February 1, 6:00 PM, 3rd Grade PJ's on the Prairie

• February 5, Grades 4/5 to Ameritowne

• February 7, 3:00 - 4:30 PM Cub Scout Pack Meeting, LS Room 5

• February 8, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, 3rd Grade presentation 

News:

• Middle School Spirit Week is in full swing with themed dress up days, a spirit rally and daily "Fun for Funds" activities to support the Denver Homeless and service projects in Peru and Cochiti Pueblo.

• SMA Middle School presents its annual Courage for the Journey program for middle school fathers, male mentors and sons on January 30, beginning after school at 3:30 p.m.  The event will include an array of prominent speakers who will bring their personal stories of challenge and success. RSVP by calling the Middle School - Diane Siennicki at ext. 250 or email Martha Ashley at mashley@smanet.org.  

Events:

• January 21, M.L.K., Jr. Day - Academy Closed

• January 23, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Spelling Bee, MS Commons  

• January 25, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Social, HS Forum

• January 29, 11:30, Mike Harris presentation

• January 30, 3:30 - 6:30 PM, Courage for the Journey for MS Boys

• January 31 - February 1 - MS Conferences - No MS Classes

• February 6, 6:00 - 7:00 PM, 7th & 8th Grade Girls/Parent SMA HS Information Night, The Carr Residence 

News:    

• Eight SMA HS students attended the 48th Colorado State Thespian  Conference at the Colorado Convention Center in December.  Senior Blair Batky said, "The Thespian Convention is overall an amazing experience. The workshops are one of my favorite aspects since they provide many opportunities to improve your skills and learn about different aspects of theatre." 

• AP Art History visited and explored "A Day in Pompeii" Exhibit at the Denver Nature and Science Museum last week where more than 250 artifacts were on display including "perfectly preserved frescoes, murals, statues, coins, furniture, jewelery and more." Through historical enactors, students got a glimpse of what this ancient Roman city may have looked like shortly before the massive eruption.  

Events:

• January 17, 9:55 AM, HS Mass

• January 21, M.L.K., Jr. Day - Academy Closed

• January 23, 7:30 - 9:00 AM, Pancake Breakfast

• January 23, 12:30 PM, Brain Brawl

• January 24, 6:30 PM, Talent Show  

• January 25, 11:30 AM, Snack Attack

• January 29, 8:30 AM, PLAN Test for 9th and 10th

• January 30, 10:00 AM, Town Meeting

• January 30 - February 1, HS Conferences - No HS Classes 

• January 31, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, Financial Aid Workshop for College

• February 5, Diversity Day  

• February 8, 8:00 - 11:00 PM, Dance sponsored by the 9th grade

• February 12, 10:00 - 10:30 AM, Mardis Gras Celebration

• February 13, 9:00 - 10:00 AM, HS Mass 

• Welcome to new students starting this month: Ella Dammen, 2nd   grade, Maya Dammen, 4th grade,  Yeon Jae Kim, 10th grade, Mary Beth Lewis, 10th grade, Jack McCormick, 4th grade, Erin McCormick, 4th grade, Lydia McGugan, 11th grade, Minci Puskas, 4th grade, and Rachel Wright, 6th grade

• Don't Forget! The Lower School Admissions Deadline is January 31.

• Re-enrollment contracts for 2013-14 were mailed on January 10. This year we are excited to offer an on-line re-enrollment option! From January 11 to February 1, you have the option to pay for your re-enrollment deposit online with a credit card. This is for deposits only (tuition payments must still be paid by check). Please remember that the contract must ALSO be signed and mailed in or dropped off to our Admissions office.

• "Parents Caught in the Act": We wish to thank Carol Gutesha, Susan Jenkins, Annie Groves, Amy Mitchell, Kristin Momo and Phyllis Chrisman.    

• A big Thank You and a Menchie's yogurt party went to the Kindergarten and 1st grade classes for reaching more than 70% participation in the Annual Fund before December 31st. Thank you parents for supporting the Annual Fund at SMA! 

   

  If you have not yet made an Annual Fund commitment please visit click here  to make an online contribution. Our goal is to have every parent support the SMA Annual Fund which directly benefits our students and faculty.  THANK YOU!

• The Loretto Legacy Society recognizes the generosity of alumnae, parents, grandparents and friends who make provisions for St. Mary's Academy in their estate plans.  A bequest or life income gift demonstrates a partnership with SMA and its mission to provide an excellent education in the Loretto tradition. For more information contact Charlie Arbogast, Director of Advancement at  carbogast@smanet.org or 303.783.6227.