Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School
Faculty and Staff
2019-2020
"Our Lady Star of the Sea is an extremely welcoming environment. Students openly embrace their classmates of all ethnicities and learning abilities."
Mary Netherby,
OLSS Teacher
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.
Student Affairs and Development Director
Mr. Greg Freelon
Mr. Freelon holds a B.A. in political science and theater from Union College. He brings his experience to OLSS as Dean of Students at Principle Academy Charter School in Egg Harbor Township. He taught Kindergarten through Eighth Grade within the NYC Department of Education. Mr. Freelon helped develop the model for Conflict Resolution through Drama as a faculty member of New York University’s Creative Arts Team and has pioneered best practices models in Youth Leadership Development, creating and facilitating interactive workshops delivered to youth groups and community organizations across the country.
In his spare time, Mr. Freelon is the founder and president of Windy Crest Media, an educational video production company. Mr. Freelon is an educator with national and international credits in teaching, theatre, television/video, film, music and large-scale multi-media event staging. His credentials have been earned through over 30 years of professional experience in these fields.
Marketing and Community Outreach Coordinator
Christine Willard
Mrs. Willard holds a B.A. in communications, public relations from Rowan University. She brings over 15 years of enrollment management, marketing and development experience to OLSS as both an advancement director and advancement consultant in the Camden Diocese. She has presented at NCEA for school mergers and Catholic school marketing. Mrs. Willard believes in mission driven marketing, consistent communication and effective collaboration with all members of community.
In her spare time, Mrs. Willard has her own life coaching practice, and is president of a nonprofit, Many Gifts One Heart, Inc providing life coaching and mentoring to those in need so they can move forward in a positive way. She loves spending time outdoors and on the beach with her family.
Special Education Teacher
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 basketball intramurals program at Our Lady Star of the Sea for grades 3-8.
Preschool - Kindergarten
Mrs. Laura Schwartz
Mrs. Schwartz holds a B.S. in elementary and special education from St. Joseph's University. She brings several years of experience teaching in both preschool and special education classrooms. Mrs. Schwartz is excited to help her students thrive academically, emotionally, spiritually and physically with many engaging activities. She looks forward to watching her students grow and work together to develop a true love for learning in these important educational years.
First Grade
Mrs. Mimi Menei-Lovallo
Mrs. Lovallo holds a B.A. in elementary education and a B.A. criminal justice from Stockton University. She was born and raised in Atlantic City and a proud Catholic school alumna. Mrs. Lovallo finds teaching first grade so rewarding. What she loves most about teaching first grade is teaching her students to read. It is amazing to see the growth that happens in first grade! Mrs. Lovallo enjoys making holiday projects with the students each year. To see how happy they are to bring home special things to their families, touches her heart!
When not in school, she enjoys spending time with her family and Golden Retriever, going to the beach and boardwalk, taking pictures and scrap-booking. Mrs. Lovallo also enjoys reading, making crafts, and decorating for all holidays.
Second Grade
Mrs. Noel Grodziak
Mrs. Grodziak holds a B.A. in psychology from Stockton University and an elementary teaching certificate with a mathematics specialization. She has taught at OLSS for six years. Mrs. Grodziak sees Second Grade as an exciting year full of learning, fun and new experiences. She enjoys getting to know her students and their parents by working together for a successful school year! Second Grade is special time to prepare Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. She looks forward to teaching her students that our Catholic Church welcomes us through the sacrament of Baptism and through the Sacrament of Reconciliation students learn to celebrate God’s forgiveness. Through the sacrament of First Holy Communion her students will celebrate the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
Mrs. Grodziak feels blessed to spend time with her family, whether at choir, soccer, lacrosse or just watching movies.
Third Grade
Mr. Kevin Kelly
Mr. Kelly holds a B.A. in history from Stockton University and pursuing a masters in early childhood education. Following a career in management and sales, he believes teaching is his true calling, and enjoys teaching third grade very much. He especially enjoys the excitement Third Grade students experience when they begin learning and mastering multiplication and division for the first time. He looks forward to his class learning a lot about each other and growing together.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and sons. Mr. Kelly is a long-time volunteer for Galloway Police Athletic League that helps kids find a safe place to learn and play sports.
Fourth Grade
Ms. Kirsten Kershbaumer
kershbaumer.kirsten@olssac.org
Ms. Kershbaumer holds a B.A. in early education from Stockton University. She is very excited to teach Fourth Grade for her second year at Our Lady Star of the Sea. Ms. Kershbaumer knows teaching is her absolute passion. She is dedicated to her students and their education, and believes learning should be exciting and engaging to inspire students to become life-long learners. In her classroom, she teaches kindness to one another and as a class demonstrates a positive mindset in all that they do.
During her free time, she loves being with her fiance’, family, friends and dog, Gunner. Some of her hobbies include reading, yoga, scrap-booking, hiking and traveling.
Fifth and Sixth Grade
Mrs. Mary Netherby
Mrs. Netherby holds a B.S. in science and teacher of the handicapped from College of New Jersey. She brings 25 years of Catholic school teaching experience to OLSS. Mary is a strong believer in Catholic education and the morals it instills in children.
Mary enjoys spending time with her husband of 42 years. Her favorite pastime is reading that she hopes to instill the same love of reading in each of her students.
Seventh Grade
Mr. Ralph Pileggi
Mr. Pileggi holds a B.A. in English from St. Joseph’s University. He brings 25 years of experience to OLSS. He is a proud Catholic school alumnus from St. Michael, Atlantic City and Holy Spirit High School, Absecon. As the Seventh Grade teacher I embrace the opportunity to bring those young children from Sixth Grade and prepare them for the leadership roles they will accept in Eighth Grade. I am blessed with the incredible opportunity to see these children become young men and women. In the classroom I love to use technology and have the children work together and help each other learn with me as their guide. We do a lot of projects and performances in the classroom as well. By the end of the year we will be ready for all the responsibilities and opportunities ahead.
When not teaching, Mr. Pileggi is most likely reading, watching a sports game, spending time with his family or working at his favorite deli, Pete’s Subs and Deli.
Eighth Grade
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.
Our Lady Star of the Sea
Educating the Mind. Empowering the Heart. Engaging in Service.
15 N. California Ave
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Principal: Carol Spina
Email:
Main Office: (609)345-0648
Marketing & Outreach:
Christine Willard
Email: