Meet the Teachers
Mrs. Provezano - 3rd Grade Teacher
1. If you have to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
My third grade students made many suggestions. The top three were funny, inspiring, and helpful.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
I enjoy outdoor activities like gardening, hiking, and anything in the water. I also like any creative project, especially something that I have not tried before.
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
Malala Yousafzai. I would really like sit in the company of Malala and my daughter, Gina, and listen to their conversation of the world today and their plans for its future.
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
One of the greatest challenges the world faces today is how people see others as different or less than themselves, forgetting that in His eyes we are the same, yet with different gifts and talents that when brought together make the world a better place. I would ask for His guidance so that I might be a better person and brighter light to other people.
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a teacher, a coach, or both. I like helping another person learn or develop their skills or talents.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
My mother, a teacher for more than 30 years, was and still is my inspiration!
7. How long have you been teaching?
I began substituting 20 years ago. Substituting allowed me to follow other pursuits and interests. I started full-time teaching 2 1/2 years ago.
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." (Mark Van Doren)
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
One of the blessings of my job at SJS is that I get to work with third grade students, and many sixth and seventh grade students. Another blessing is that I am able to share and grow my faith with students and adults.
One of the cons of my job at SJS is that I must let my class advance at the end of the year. (Yet, I love watching them continue to grow and move forward through the grade until graduation and beyond.)
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
Fellowship with your peers.
My third grade students made many suggestions. The top three were funny, inspiring, and helpful.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
I enjoy outdoor activities like gardening, hiking, and anything in the water. I also like any creative project, especially something that I have not tried before.
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
Malala Yousafzai. I would really like sit in the company of Malala and my daughter, Gina, and listen to their conversation of the world today and their plans for its future.
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
One of the greatest challenges the world faces today is how people see others as different or less than themselves, forgetting that in His eyes we are the same, yet with different gifts and talents that when brought together make the world a better place. I would ask for His guidance so that I might be a better person and brighter light to other people.
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a teacher, a coach, or both. I like helping another person learn or develop their skills or talents.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
My mother, a teacher for more than 30 years, was and still is my inspiration!
7. How long have you been teaching?
I began substituting 20 years ago. Substituting allowed me to follow other pursuits and interests. I started full-time teaching 2 1/2 years ago.
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." (Mark Van Doren)
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
One of the blessings of my job at SJS is that I get to work with third grade students, and many sixth and seventh grade students. Another blessing is that I am able to share and grow my faith with students and adults.
One of the cons of my job at SJS is that I must let my class advance at the end of the year. (Yet, I love watching them continue to grow and move forward through the grade until graduation and beyond.)
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
Fellowship with your peers.
Mrs. Gonzalez - 2nd Grade Teacher
1. If you have to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
Blessed, cheerful, determined.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
Exercising, Pinterest, traveling.
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
Taya Kyle (Chris Kyle's widow) I would like to thank her for sharing her story and ask her to pray with me.
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
For everyone to love more and to remove all the hatred in the world.
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Veterinarian.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
My mom.
7. How long have you been teaching?
2 years
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14)
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
Pros, a sense of community, expanding my family. Cons, being away from my 2 year old son.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
The parents involvement and being able to share my faith.
Blessed, cheerful, determined.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
Exercising, Pinterest, traveling.
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
Taya Kyle (Chris Kyle's widow) I would like to thank her for sharing her story and ask her to pray with me.
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
For everyone to love more and to remove all the hatred in the world.
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Veterinarian.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
My mom.
7. How long have you been teaching?
2 years
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14)
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
Pros, a sense of community, expanding my family. Cons, being away from my 2 year old son.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
The parents involvement and being able to share my faith.
Mr. Bear - 6th Grade Teacher
1. If you have to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
A domesticated bear.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
Traveling
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
An archbishop of the Coptic Church. They have a long tradition of theology
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
Resentment
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Oceanographer
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
Patrick Dodd, the principal at OLPH.
7. How long have you been teaching?
4-5 years
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"Nothing changes if nothing changes."
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
Pros, being involved with critical thinking in faith. Cons, working on the weekends.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
Serving God.
A domesticated bear.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
Traveling
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
An archbishop of the Coptic Church. They have a long tradition of theology
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
Resentment
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Oceanographer
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
Patrick Dodd, the principal at OLPH.
7. How long have you been teaching?
4-5 years
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"Nothing changes if nothing changes."
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
Pros, being involved with critical thinking in faith. Cons, working on the weekends.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
Serving God.
Coach Medina - P.E. Teacher
1. If you have to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
My favorite hobbies are coaching volleyball, making pizzas, and playing board games.
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was young, I wanted to become a priest because I wanted to help people.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
Most of my family are teachers, my aunts, and uncles, and parents. The person who inspired me the most was Mr. Montez. He was my P.E. coach and coach for other sports teams while I was at SJS. He had a strong impact on me, teaching me how to be a leader and have good sportsmanship.
7. How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching at SJS for one year.
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
There are many pros of my job, some of them being at the same school I attended as a kid, seeing many of my old teachers, seeing the students having fun reminds me of my experiences at SJS.
I think the cons of this job are trying to get the students to listen. Some days the can be very loud and hyper.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
The best part of being part of the SJS staff is having the opportunity to impact the lives of the students and inspiring them just as I was impacted and inspired when I attended SJS.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
My favorite hobbies are coaching volleyball, making pizzas, and playing board games.
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was young, I wanted to become a priest because I wanted to help people.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
Most of my family are teachers, my aunts, and uncles, and parents. The person who inspired me the most was Mr. Montez. He was my P.E. coach and coach for other sports teams while I was at SJS. He had a strong impact on me, teaching me how to be a leader and have good sportsmanship.
7. How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching at SJS for one year.
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
There are many pros of my job, some of them being at the same school I attended as a kid, seeing many of my old teachers, seeing the students having fun reminds me of my experiences at SJS.
I think the cons of this job are trying to get the students to listen. Some days the can be very loud and hyper.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
The best part of being part of the SJS staff is having the opportunity to impact the lives of the students and inspiring them just as I was impacted and inspired when I attended SJS.
Sr. Madeleine - Music & Religion Teacher
1. If you have to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
Love, believe, and truth.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
Music.
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
Pope Francis, because he is humble and welcomes everybody. He is a model of faith in our society today.
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
Stop violence and crime.
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A nurse.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
Saint Carmen Sallés.
7. How long have you been teaching?
Since 2008.
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"Let the children come to me."
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
The cons is that sometimes we may feel that our efforts teaching are worthless, but the pros is that in the future we can always see fruits.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
Helping children.
Love, believe, and truth.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
Music.
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
Pope Francis, because he is humble and welcomes everybody. He is a model of faith in our society today.
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
Stop violence and crime.
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A nurse.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
Saint Carmen Sallés.
7. How long have you been teaching?
Since 2008.
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"Let the children come to me."
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
The cons is that sometimes we may feel that our efforts teaching are worthless, but the pros is that in the future we can always see fruits.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
Helping children.
Mr. Spencer - Principal
1. If you have to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
Faithful, energetic, and fun.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
Hiking, fishing, outdoor activities...
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
Pope Francis, because he gives me inspiration and hope.
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
End hunger.
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An outdoors man, an explorer.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
Sister Gloria, a Chemistry teacher at the University of San Diego High School, which is where I started teaching.
7. How long have you been teaching?
35 years.
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"It is a great privilege to educate the minds and hearts of children."
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
I like the personal satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference.
What makes it hard is how big the job is having limited time.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
The dedication to each other, to students, and families.
Faithful, energetic, and fun.
2. What are your favorite hobbies?
Hiking, fishing, outdoor activities...
3. Talk to any one person now living, who would it be and why?
Pope Francis, because he gives me inspiration and hope.
4. Ask God to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change?
End hunger.
5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An outdoors man, an explorer.
6. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?
Sister Gloria, a Chemistry teacher at the University of San Diego High School, which is where I started teaching.
7. How long have you been teaching?
35 years.
8. Is there a quote about how you feel about teaching?
"It is a great privilege to educate the minds and hearts of children."
9. What are the pros and cons or your job?
I like the personal satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference.
What makes it hard is how big the job is having limited time.
10. What, in your opinion, is the best part of being a member of the SJS staff?
The dedication to each other, to students, and families.