Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School
Faculty and Staff
2019-2020
We welcome students of all beliefs who seek a Catholic School experience.
All full-time teachers are NJ State Certified.
Principal
Ms. Carol Spina
Ms. Spina, holds a M.ED., M.B.A, and M.A. from Drexel University, as well as, a B.A. (dance) from University of the Arts. She brings a vast amount of experience to OLSS as an elementary school vice principal, dean of instruction, financial advisor, and teacher.
Ms. Spina believes the foundation for real life is laid down through education and spiritual growth. She believes education prepares students for their lifelong journey of learning, whether in school or in their day-to-day lives. She sees education as the driving force that moves youth toward becoming successful, intellectual adults. "Education is vital to our society. It empowers individuals and allows them to be constructive, productive, and positive contributors in the world." Ms. Spina
Ms. Spina is a strong believer in student involvement in service activities, extra-curricular activities, and the Visual and Performing Arts. She is excited to bring opportunities in these areas to OLSS students. Ms. Spina enjoys giving back to the community by being on the Literacy Committee of the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board, and member of the American Association of University Women. When not in school, she enjoys the beach, dancing, singing, and spending time with family and friends.
Preschool - Kindergarten
Mrs. Trish Collins and Ms. Sandy Parker
Our PreK and Kindergarten students are blessed to be taught by Mrs. Collins and Ms. Sandy each day.
Primary
Mrs. Melissa Collesano
Mrs. Collesano holds a Bachelor's degree from William Paterson University in Elementary Education and Communications. She also is a certified librarian, having earned her Master's degree at Montclair State University. Mrs. Collesano was recently awarded the Most Distinguished Citizenship Award from Elks Galloway and was also inducted into her hometown's Athletic Hall of Fame for cheerleading.
In her spare time, she loves being with her two children, working out, getting creative and completing illustrations for her third children's picture book.
Elementary
Ms. Alexis Flynn
Ms. Flynn graduated from Stockton in the fall of 2020 with degrees in Health Science and Communication Disorders. She also received her elementary teaching credentials. She is currently a graduate student, pursuing a Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Stockton University. She has always had a passion and calling for the teaching profession. Ms. Flynn grew up in Hammonton and attended K-8 Catholic school herself. She is excited to begin her teaching career in a very similar school community. When Ms. Flynn is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is a big Philly sports fan. Speaking of family, many of Ms. Flynn's family members are teachers and educators, too.
Elementary
Ms. Jeannie Worth
Ms. Worth holds a B.A. in psychology from Stockton University. She has been teaching at Our Lady Star of the Sea for the past 10 years, following several years teaching in the Camden Diocese. Ms. Worth loves teaching! She looks forward to getting to know this year's 4th graders and their families, and to sharing her love of math and science.
Ms. Worth loves reading and singing in her spare time. She is active in her Catholic faith as a certified Catechist with the Camden Diocese, and sings at the 9:30 mass at St. James Church, Ventnor, N.J. each week.
Middle School
Ms. Kathy Morris
Ms. Morris holds a B.A. in special education from Stockton University specializing in teaching history and language arts/reading. Ms. Morris was the recipient of the Ocean City Lodge Educator of the Year award recognizing her commitment to education. Ms. Morris is an enthusiastic, experienced Catholic school teacher, who believes in the intrinsic value of a Catholic school education. She believes that all students can reach their learning potential. Ms. Morris especially enjoys how kind and helpful her students are to each other, despite their learning challenges. She believes each student has a talent or skill set that helps the class progress, and achieve their academic goals.
"The entire group celebrates when one of their classmates is able to successfully overcome an obstacle and acquire a new skill." Ms. Morris.
Coaching and playing basketball have been a continuous theme in Ms. Morris’s life. While teaching at the various schools in the Camden Diocese, she was coaching there as well. She has coached both boys’ and girls’ CYO varsity teams, as well as High School teams. She was honored to receive the Neumann College Leadership in Catholic Youth Sports Award. Ms. Morris is the coordinator of basketball intra-murals program at Our Lady Star of the Sea for grades 3-8.
Middle School
Mr. James Clark
James Clark is a resident of Northfield, New Jersey. Happily married to his wife of 28 years, Victoria Fisher Clark, the couple are the proud parents of twin 25-year-old sons, Alexander and Benjamin. Mr. Clark is a member of St. Gianna Beretta Molla Parish. He is a 1988 graduate of Ocean City High School and a 1992 graduate of Wilkes (Pa.) University with degrees in Print Journalism and History.
After a 20-plus year career as a journalist with The Press of Atlantic City newspaper, Mr. Clark decided to pursue something more fulfilling … a career in the classroom. Since he left The Press, he has worked as a teacher at St. Augustine Preparatory School, the Y.A.L.E. School and CharterTech High School for the Performing Arts. While at St. Augustine, Mr. Clark served as the Yearbook advisor and the freshman soccer coach. He also coached youth soccer for 12 years at Mainland United Soccer Club in Linwood. He is a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. Mr. Clark is so happy and motivated to help his new students reach their full potential and looks forward to meeting everyone this Fall.
Middle School
Ms. Meaghan Netherby
Ms. Netherby holds a B.A. in English and women’s studies from University of Connecticut. This is her ninth year as an OLSS teacher. She truly loves teaching Eighth Grade because they are excited to learn, to younger students, and work well both independently and in groups. She enjoys helping her students prepare for the high school selection and application process. Ms. Netherby is very excited to prepare Eighth Grade for Confirmation, the final sacrament of initiation into the Catholic Church. Ms. Netherby says one of the best things about teaching at OLSS is teaching with her mother, Mrs. Netherby, Fifth-Sixth Grade teachers.
She is active in her parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, member of the church choir and a mass cantor. Ms. Netherby is also very involved with local ocean conservation efforts, long time volunteer with the Surfrider Foundation, South Jersey Chapter and coordinator for South Jersey's Ocean Friendly Restaurant Program. Reading is her favorite pastime and surfing is her favorite sport/hobby. During the summer, she runs a surf school, so she spends a lot of time in the ocean.
ESL
Mrs. Francie Josephsen
Mrs. Josephsen is a part time Title 1 ESL teacher. A former Atlantic City Public Schools teacher, she retired from full time teaching in 2019, after 28 years of service. Mrs. Josephsen holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Rowan University. She is certified PreK - Grade 8, English as a Second Language, as well as Elementary Art. During her tenure with Atlantic City Schools, Mrs. Josephsen was awarded the Governor's Teacher Recognition Award, was named Chelsea Junior HIgh School Teacher of the Year, and was also awarded the Atlantic City MBCA Outstanding Educator Award. Mrs. Josephsen has a very simple educational philosophy. She believes in catering to the unique interests of each child. When she is not working, she enjoys her family, her pets, and traveling.