Development and Admissions Director

Ms. Pione graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor's in Journalism and a Major in Spanish. She obtained her Master's in Education from the Ohio State University and subsequently taught Middle School for 16 years. Formerly our Sixth through Eighth Grade Religion and Grammar teacher, Ms. Pione has a deep love for imparting the Catholic faith in young people while also helping them to write beautifully! She is eager to meet you and your family to tell you more about what Cathedral School of Saint Mary has to offer!

Registrar

Mr. Sevier taught for eight years in a Special Education classroom, having earned a Bachelor's Psychology from Mexico State University and a teaching certificate here in Austin. He is happy to work in a Catholic environment where he notes the deep care, concern and involvement of the parents and teachers in the lives of our students. A singer and guitarist, Mr. Sevier is active in his church music ministry. He also enjoys scuba-diving and spending time with his wife, Carla, who makes life wonderful!

Learning Specialist

Ms. Manning attended St. Edward’s University for three years and graduated from American Intercontinental University online, Summa Cum Laude with a BBA.  She has worked many years in both the private sector and public schools before hearing the call to serve as an educator in Catholic schools. Ms. Manning grew up in Temple, Texas,  and is blessed with two grown children and a loving family. She now lives in San Marcos and she enjoys going to estate sales and garage sales, camping, and deep-water fishing in the gulf.

Religion and Grammar 
6th-8th

Mrs. Castillo attended Laredo State University, now TAMIU, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She also attended Southwest Texas University, (renamed Texas State University), where she earned a Master's degree in Early Childhood. She is bilingual certified and speaks Spanish fluently! She taught for 24 years in the public school system and for three years here at Cathedral School of Saint Mary.  Mrs. Castillo strives to create a caring, safe, and engaging learning environment which encourages students to believe in themselves and to understand that they are created in God‘s image. She treasures the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and inspirational community as CSSM! She and her family are long time parishioners at St. Mary Cathedral. Her three children also attended school here at Cathedral School of Saint Mary.

Literature and History 
6TH-8TH 

Math AND Science 

6TH-8TH

Mr. Berger has worked as a licensed professional engineer since 2013, after graduating from Texas A&M. After a year and a half of working with grades 3-5 as our chess tutor through his personally founded mentorship program, Mr. Berger has decided to join our team full-time! He's eager to bring his engineering background into the classroom to give a practical perspective to the lessons. Using numbers to model the world and predict the future is only the half of it though. He's most excited to guide the students in seeing God's abundant creativity and power, especially in the lessons on Plants/Animals and Energy/Objects in Motion. Teaching in an environment where he shares the faith and works with students is truly a source of joy. Other things that bring him joy include throwing the baseball with his son, rock climbing, chess, and practicing close-up card magic.

Fifth Grade Teacher

Mr. Boyles graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, having later earned his teaching certificate. He began teaching in 2004 and is passionate about forming well rounded students who develop strong skills in all areas from Math to spiritual growth. Mr. Boyles serves as our technology coordinator and our garden committee chairperson. He appreciates the gift of teaching in a Catholic school where he can daily feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit in his life and those of his students. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
 

 Fourth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Bowen earned her Bachelor’s Degree Eastern in Elementary Education from Illinois University and her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Texas, Austin.

She is an ambassador to bring Chemistry into the elementary classroom as an active member of the American Association of Chemistry Teachers. She began teaching in 1980 and has taught Fourth and Fifth grades in Austin, Pflugerville, Smithville and Bastrop.  She has also taught at the University of Texas, St. Edwards University, Texas State University and Austin Community College. Stepping into the fourth grade time machine, going back in ancient history, and introducing Plato, Socrates, Julius Caesar and Leonardo da Vinci to her students are some of her favorite aspects of teaching. She is grateful to teach in this beautiful setting, where she can talk about the Holy Eucharist every day. When not teaching, she can often be found with her nose buried in the pages of a book!

Third Grade Teacher

Mr. La Londe has been teaching since 2005 both in the ESL setting and in a 3rd grade classical setting.  Before teaching, Mr. La Londe practiced architecture for ten years in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and Austin.  He has Bachelor's degrees in Art History and Architecture, and a Master of Architecture. His love of travel, culture, and architecture inspired him to live and work abroad in Thailand and Malaysia for almost eight years teaching ESL and mentoring to local English language teachers, providing education and instructional support in the classroom.  With his extensive knowledge of living and working internationally, Mr. La Londe instills in his students a deep awareness and sensitivity to other global cultures and traditions. Mr. La Londe is a native of Austin, Texas, and an active parishioner of the Cathedral as part of the Garden Ministry and member of the Schola Cantorum.

Second Grade Teacher

Mrs. Henderson earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the Univerisity of North Texas with post-graduate work in teaching reading. She is a Level II Dyslexia Practitioner through The International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council. She began teaching while serving as a religious sister and has been teaching full time since 2017. She most enjoys leading her students in the fun projects of aquaducts and mosaics in the Ancient Rome unit, in addition to preparing them to receive their First Holy Communion. She loves teaching in a Catholic school where we can incorporate our Catholic faith into all subject areas. In her free time, you may find her playing the piano, working on crossword puzzles or taking a ride on her bicycle.

First Grade Teacher

Mrs. Rodriguez is a native Austinite and a graduate of the University of Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education as well as a certification to teach English as a second language. She has been teaching since 1993. Her favorite unit to teach is AESOPS Fables in which she can easily engage her students with the diverse experiences of animals characters learning the truths of life in short, descriptive vignettes.

Mrs. Rodriguez values Catholic education so much that  both of her children attended Catholics schools from Prek-12th grades, including Cathedral School of Saint Mary. Their academic and spiritual journey has formed them into the compassionate young adults they are today. Mrs. Rodriguez is herself a graduate of Cathedral School of Saint Mary as well! In her spare time she enjoys cooking, crafting and spending time with her wonderful husband and two young adult children.

Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Barker grew up in Round Rock, Texas, and is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, and has been teaching since 2019 in the PreK through First Grade classrooms. With a keen interest in leveraging technology to enhance learning, Ms. Barker has pursued and obtained several certifications, including Google Educator, PearDeck Inspirational Education and Seesaw Pioneer. As a teacher, she is passionate about guiding and forming her students so that they become confident, independent learners with strong skills as readers, writers, mathematicians and scientists. She loves watching her students’ develop throughout the year academically, socially and spiritually! Ms. Barker is a devout Catholic with a strong faith. She is very grateful to be teaching at a Catholic school where she can share her deep love for Jesus with all those around her.

PreK 4 Teacher

Mrs. Richard has been an educator in early childhood and primary education for over 20 years, both in the classroom as a founding teacher at Holy Family Catholic School, as well as the Founding Director of the Emmaus Parish Preschool and Early Childhood Education Program. After growing up in Iowa, Mrs. Richard graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s in Education; she has called Austin home ever since. She engages her students in many education centers throughout the day, and creatively instills in them a love of learning. You'll find her leading her class in STEM projects, art lessons, music, dance, gardenening experiments and more! Mrs. Richard enjoys sharing her Catholic faith with all those around her. She feels blessed to have a wonderful husband and two amazing sons.

PreK 3 Teacher

Mrs. Arce graduated Cum Laude from St. Edward's University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a Minor in International Relations. She began her career as a social worker working with special needs individuals. In 2014, she decided to change careers and thus obtained EC-6th, Special Education, and ESL teaching certifications. She worked as a teacher in Early Education/Special Education for 3 years in Austin ISD  and then worked as a Special Education teacher for grades 3rd-5th grade in Del Valle ISD. When her youngest son was born in 2019, she took time to raise him, also working part-time through the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department offering recreational therapy to retired seniors and seniors with special needs. She looks forward to working with and getting to know each child so they can reach their full potential in an educational setting. 

Furthermore, as a Catholic, she hopes to instill a love of learning, and through prayer an understanding of how much God loves each one of us, remembering always that the greatest commandment is to love one another. She hopes to bring out the realization of each person’s unique gifts early in life so that they can be used for good in the world. She is a wife, and mother of three who enjoys listening to different genres of music, dancing, camping, going to the public library and discovering a good book, attending Mass, and spending time with my family and friends.  

Athletic Director

Coach Gene Noel earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education with a major in Social Studies from Louisianna Tech University. He began teaching in 1988 and has taught every grade level over the years. He is passionate about teaching, coaching and helping young people in their quest for future life success. His program is fitness-based, with an emphasis teamwork, good sportsmanship, proper techniques and developing a strong work ethic in his students. Coach enjoys leading his students in the food menu project in Health class, helping them understand budgeting both dollars and calories! He is happy to teach in a Catholic shool where we can all learn and get closer to God at the same time. In his free time, you’ll find him enjoying sports and movies.

Music Teacher

Spanish Teacher

Mrs. Marina Mejia is a Native of Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She graduated from Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas with a Bachelor of Communication. She recently discovered her passion for teaching Spanish and has been teaching bilingual and Spanish classes ever since. She is excited to share her knowledge of the language and culture of Hispanic countries with our students. She is enthusiastic about being a part of our school, where her faith and passion for teaching are blossoming together!

ART  Teacher

Mrs. Cespedes graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Education and a Major in School Counseling from the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia in Spain. Previously she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Major in Art Education. Mrs. Cespedes worked as an Art teacher in Spain as well as Pedagogical Technical support and Montessori Teacher in Texas.

She enjoys challenging her student with high standards while inspiring them towards the

enjoyment of art history, as to achieve a maturity in artistic perception. Mrs. Cespedes

considers that educating children and young people in the principles of tolerance, respect,

solidarity and love is today more possible than ever in the educational environment provided in

Catholic Schools. Mrs. Cespedes is a person who undertakes each new project with the conviction that it will be possible because she lives with an unshakable faith. She is passionate about cooking, gardening and artistic painting.

aDVANCED Math  
6TH-8TH AND 
LIBRARIAN pREK-8