Kyla VanWingerden, Kindergarten

After graduating from Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in 1996, Miss Kyla VanWingerden continued her Catholic education at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, a minor in Sociology, and a California Teaching Credential. Realizing how much she missed her family and Santa Barbara, she moved back after graduation. Kyla taught fifth grade at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School beginning in the Fall of 2004 and changed to kindergarten in the Fall of 2006. In addition to teaching, Kyla also coaches the girls middle school volleyball and soccer teams, and is the school garden coordinator. She is currently working on her MA in Education at Antioch University in Santa Barbara.

Alison Conway, First Grade

Alison Conway is excited to be teaching first grade this year at OLMCS. She was born and raised in Northern California, but moved to Santa Barbara to attend UCSB. Alison graduated from UCSB in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts and then returned in 2006 to receive her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential as well as a Masters degree in Education. Prior to receiving her credential, Alison worked as the fourth grade Instructional Assistant and girls' varsity soccer Assistant Coach at Laguna Blanca School. During her Teacher Education Program at UCSB Alison gained student teaching experience in both kindergarten and sixth grade classrooms at a local public school. Upon receipt of her credential, she returned to Laguna Blanca in her new role as sixth grade co-instructor while also continuing to coach girls' soccer. This is Alison's first year teaching at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and she hopes to be an active part of the middle school athletic community as well as the lower grade student community.

Erica Miller, Second Grade

Erica Miller continues to teach the second grade class at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, as well as the Middle School Music/Drama electives course. Erica began her OLMCS teaching career in Spring, 2007. Erica lives in the Santa Ynez Valley where she was raised. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a Liberal Studies degree and a minor in Music. She received a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Chapman University. Miss Miller is a Music Minister at her parish, Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang. She cantors there at two masses, plays guitar, and directs choirs for special events and holy days.

Larissa Feramisco, Third Grade

Mrs. Larissa Feramisco was the sixth grade homeroom teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School from 2000 through June, 2008. In 2008, Mrs. Feramisco switched to the third grade, which is the grade she always dreamed of teaching. Mrs. Feramisco was born and raised in the Santa Barbara area. In May 2000 she graduated from the University of Redlands in Redlands, California, with a major in Liberal Studies, an emphasis in social studies, and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. In December of 2003 Mrs. Feramisco earned her Master of Arts Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University.

Mary Ann Bognar, Fourth Grade

Mrs. Mary Ann Bognar grew up in Miami, Florida, where she attended parochial schools from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Master in Education degree from the University of Miami in Florida. She taught in a parochial school in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, for 13 years and in Chesterfield County Public Schools (Virginia) for 11 years. Mrs. Bognar and her husband moved to California in 2004. They have three grown children.

Virginia Persoon & Gloria Solano, Team Fifth Grade

Mrs. Virginia Persoon is happy to be returning to OLMCS as both a teacher and parent of a kindergarten student this year. Mrs. Persoon, a Santa Barbara native, went to St. Raphael's School as a child and attended Bishop Diego High School. She received her AA degree at SBCC, and her BA in History in 1993 and Multiple Subject Credential in 1995 from San Jose State University. Following graduation, she spent a year as a substitute teacher, working at many of the elementary schools in Santa Barbara. While subbing at OLMCS, she was hired for a long term substitute position in the 5th grade to finish out the school year. She was then hired for the next year as the 2nd grade teacher and taught second graders for the next seven and a half years until she left to have her own children. She is now returning as half of the 5th grade team, teaching Language Arts and Social Studies in the morning. She shares the position with Mrs. Solano, who teaches Math, Science, and Religion. Mrs. Persoon is excited to be back teaching at our school, but is also excited to be here as a parent and aunt to several nieces and nephews that attend the school.

Gloria Solano completed her undergraduate studies at UCSB and received her multiple subject teaching credential from California State University Northridge. Through the years since, she has worked as a home-school liasion based at Carpinteria High School, a substitute teacher for Carpinteria Unified School District and a substitute teacher for the last three years at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. She is a Mount Carmel alumni, and currently has two children attending the school. In her free time, Gloria enjoys helping coach her daughter's soccer team and sewing. Mrs. Solano shares the 5th grade teaching with Mrs. Persoon, handling the 11:20 - 3:00 class time.

Eun Kim, Sixth Grade

Miss Eun Kim was our 7th grade homeroom teacher and 8th grade math teacher from 2006 through June, 2008. She is the sixth grade homeroom teacher this year and also directs the Student Council. She grew up in Carpinteria, attended Cate School, graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in History and received and cleared her California Multiple Subject credential from Antioch University where she is completing her master's thesis. She student taught and substituted in the Ventura, Goleta, Cold Springs, and Carpinteria Unified school districts prior to joining our staff here. On Sundays, parishioners at St. Joseph's Church might find her behind the piano. She enjoys playing golf, hiking, and spending time with friends on the beach.

Mary Beth Lee & Tracie Simolon, Team Seventh Grade

Mary Beth Lee grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley where she lives today with her mother. She graduated from Santa Ynez High School, attended St. Mary's College in Moraga, California, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a single subject teaching credential in English. After teaching seventh & eighth grade in Fremont California, Miss Lee took a year off to do missions work, which included an outreach to Northern Ireland, where she worked in a youth coffee house and spoke in various schools and churches with her outreach team. Upon returning from Europe, Miss Lee taught sixth grade for four years at Our Lady of Grace School in Castro Valley, California. While teaching sixth grade religion, she found that she wanted to know more about the Bible, especially the Old Testament; so, in 2001 she went to the School of Biblical Studies (SBS) through Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in Lakeside, Montana. SBS is an intense inductive bible school that takes the students through the Bible five times during the nine-month course. After completing SBS, Mary Beth stayed on to teach in the SBS for the next three years. During that time she also took a missions trip to Ukraine to teach in the SBS there. Miss Lee has a real heart for the Bible and a passion to see kids learn about and live out their faith. Miss Lee began teaching at OLMC in the fall of 2005 as the eighth grade homeroom teacher. This year, Miss Lee is sharing the duties of 7th grade homeroom teacher with Mrs. Simolon while also serving as the Religion Coordinator for Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and as the Youth Minister and Confirmation Director for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.

Originally from Indiana Tracie Simolon received her bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Notre Dame. Upon graduating she moved to San Diego to serve as an Americorps volunteer teacher at Nativity Prep Academy in the Logan Heights neighborhood. While teaching fifth and sixth grades at Nativity Prep, she earned her Multiple Subject credential from the University of San Diego. In 2004 she came to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School to teach seventh grade. In 2005, she returned to OLMCS part-time as the eighth grade algebra teacher and science lab coordinator following the birth of her daughter, Lily. The Simolon family welcomed son Joseph in 2008. Currently Tracie is team teaching the 7th grade with Miss Lee and continues to serve as the Algebra teacher.

James Sisco, Eighth Grade

Jimmy Sisco grew up in Northern California's Bay Area where he attended Christian schools from first grade through twelfth grade. He attended Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz where he studied physical education and played intercollegiate basketball. He later attended and graduated from Pacific College in Los Angeles where he played intercollegiate basketball and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Biblical Languages (Greek and Hebrew). He received his California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and his Master's Degree from Antioch University in Santa Barbara. Mr. Sisco proudly served six years in the United States Marine Corps. He has also written music soundtracks for two international documentary films. Mr. Sisco began his teaching career at OLMCS in the Fall of 2006, where he was the fifth grade teacher for two years. He moved up to the position of eighth grade homeroom teacher and social studies teacher for the middle school where you can find him now. Mr. Sisco and his lovely wife have one beautiful daughter.

Mary Beth Deniro, Resource Teacher

Mary Beth DeNiro was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. She received a double credential in Special Education (Visually Impaired) and a Standard Teaching Credential (Elementary) from Cal State Los Angeles. She taught at Frances Blend School for the Blind in Hollywood and was an Itinerant Teacher for the Visually Impaired in Pasadena before coming to Santa Barbara. Mrs. DeNiro has been at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School since the fall of 1988. She taught first grade for 14 years, and has been the Resource Teacher since 2002.

Robert Aswad, Music Teacher

Robert Aswad grew up in the Los Angeles area. He graduated from UCSB where he studied conducting, piano, and music theory/history. He also studied the excellent music pedagogy system known as the 'Kodaly method'in classes at USC. For many years Mr. Aswad has maintained a piano studio in Santa Barbara and worked as an accompanist, vocal coach and soloist. He taught for several years at the Waldorf School where his chorus sang with the West Coast Symphony. He currently directs the Chancel Choir at the Ojai Methodist Church and is also active as an adjudicator for the National Guild of Piano Teachers. He started teaching at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in the Fall of 2006.

Bobbie Offen, Technology Coordinator and Computer Teacher

Bobbie Offen, our Computer Teacher and Technology Coordinator, received a Bachelor of Science degree from UCLA with a major in chemistry and minors in math and physics. She earned a Standard Fisher Life Multiple Subjects credential and her Master of Arts degree with a specialty in Math Instruction from UCSB. She taught at Laguna Blanca upper school, Carpinteria High School, UCSB School of Education, and has substituted in all of the public secondary schools in the Santa Barbara area. She most recently comes to Mount Carmel School from the business world where she has been a computer programmer, software support manager, technical writer, and webmaster. She was a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer and is the volunteer webmaster/designer for the Santa Barbara Audubon Society, the UCSB Faculty Club, and the UCSB Faculty Women's Club. Bobbie was elected to the Board of the Santa Barbara Audubon Society as Treasurer in 2008. Mrs. Offen and her husband, Henry, have lived in the Santa Barbara area since 1963. They have two children (both university professors) and one grandchild.

Margarita Del Campo, Spanish Teacher

Born and raised in México, Margarita G. Martín del Campo attended "Colegio Anáhuac," a Catholic School in her hometown of Ocotlán Jalisco, México. The first time Margarita learned about Santa Barbara was when her aunt and uncle, Carmen and Bernardo García, renewed their vows after 50 years of marriage at Mount Carmel Church. She came to visit her relatives and fell in love with Santa Barbara. Margarita attended SBCC and graduated from UCSB with a BA in English, Spanish and Philosophy and a Masters degree in Spanish Literature. She began her teaching career in an alphabetization program in her native town. She has taught at OAS, UCSB, Laguna Blanca School K-12, and joined the Mount Carmel team in 2007 teaching Spanish from K to 8 grades while she continuing to teach at SBCC. A Spanish Yoga instructor, Margarita is also a volunteer screener at Transition House. Margarita's daughter, Erika, is a Flamenco dancer and attends Claremont McKenna College.

Jennifer Buur, Art Teacher

Jennifer Buur is a native of Santa Barbara. She graduated from Santa Barbara High School with honors in Graphic Design, Studio Art and Fashion Design. Jennifer earned her Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in Studio Art from Santa Barbara City College. In addition to working with the children of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Jennifer teaches private art workshops for children, after school art courses at Montecito Union School, creates custom art work for clients and paints faces at birthday parties and events. During the summer Jennifer works with children in Carpinteria at the summer camp, Art by the Sea. Jennifer lives in Santa Barbara with her family.

Jennifer Webb-Shabestari, P.E.

Sara Lampke, Pre-K Director

Miss Sara Lampke feels she has reached a major step in her career goal. Prior to her promotion as the Pre-K Director, she worked as the Kindergarten Aide and Extended Day Care Coordinator for two years at OLMCS. As an OLMCS graduate (1994), she is very happy to be serving in this new capacity. After graduating from Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Miss Sara obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development with emphasis on working with preschool age children from San Diego State University. She has ten years experience working with families in the San Diego and Santa Barbara area as a professional nanny and personal assistant. In 2007, Miss Sara received the Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. She says working with young children has always been her passion. "There is no other place I'd rather be at this time in my life. I feel right at home." The start of the new Pre-K program is exciting for all of us and especially Sara Lampke. Miss Sara became a mother to a son in May 2007.

Elizabeth Hanson, Pre-K Teacher

Elizabeth Hanson is originally from Los Angeles. She moved to Santa Barbara in 1990 to attend Santa Barbara City College, enrolling in the Early Childhood Education Program. In addition to her studies, Elizabeth worked with children ages 2 1/2 - 6 years of age for two years at the SBCC Childrens Center. She has worked with children and their families in Santa Barbara county for over 15 years. Miss Lizzy is married with two sons, the youngest of whom attends OLMCS.

Wendy Harrington, Extended Day Coordinator, Kindergarten Aide

Wendy Harrington comes to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School from the Los Angeles area. Recently married and relocated to Santa Barbara, Wendy is very excited to begin this school year at OLMCS! She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in elementary education. Prior to working at OLMCS, Mrs. Harrington worked for the Torrance YMCA as a Lead Teacher in their after school program. She has also worked as a Kindergarten and First Grade math teacher at Advanced Education School in Lomita, CA. Once settled in her new positions as Kindergarten Aide and Extended Day Coordinator, Wendy plans to pursue her Master's Degree in Education.