The Academy of the Sacred Heart is pleased to welcome 27 new faculty and staff members for the 2021-2022 school year, as we continue to grow and educate tomorrow's leaders.

In the Upper School:

James Ducote- James is thrilled to be joining Sacred Heart as an Upper School math teacher. He brings with him ten years of Catholic school teaching experience in a multitude of mathematics courses. When he isn’t busy calculating the digits of Pi, James and his wife Lacey enjoy world travel, trying new restaurants, and cheering on the black and gold as Saints season ticket holders. He is also a licensed commercial pilot who has previously worked as a flight instructor.

Jay Jay Juan- Jay Jay Juan, Science Teacher, is a New Orleans native. He has over 25 years of classroom and administration experience in education.  Jay Jay is excited to go back to his roots in teaching Chemistry and Biology. In addition to his classroom duties, Jay Jay is the new Head Volleyball Coach. He achieved two major coaching milestones in Louisiana Volleyball: reaching his 600th win and joining the 300/300 Club, 300 wins at two different schools, and he is only the 2nd coach to garner that landmark. Jay Jay is married to Vernilyn, and they have a daughter named Carmela.

Tim Kettenring- Dr. Tim Kettenring has been a religious and theological educator for more than twenty years. He has served as Department Chair of Religion and Theology at Holy Cross School of New Orleans and Department Chair of Religion at Archbishop Rummel High School. In addition, he has served as a pedagogical facilitator for the Science-Religion Initiative and the Satellite Theology Education Program of the University of Notre Dame. He holds a B.B.S. from Colorado Christian University, an M.A. from Denver Seminary (Emphasis in Old Testament), an M.A. in Theological Studies from Notre Dame Seminary-Graduate School of Theology, and D.Min. from Denver Seminary. Tim is a candidate for ordination to the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans (2022). His wife Beth is in medical research administration; his son Tim Jr. is a university sports complex director and strength/conditioning coach; his daughter Ashley is an architect; and his grandson Colt is a “Little Gator” at Holy Name of Jesus in New Orleans.

MeLissa Kossick- MeLissa has a master’s degree in art education from Illinois State and has been teaching art for 15 years. She has experience teaching ceramics, mosaics, pottery art history, acrylic painting and drawing, She also has experience with glass blowing, printmaking, and wood crafting, MeLissa has a daughter who is starting at Sacred Heart this August.

Lori Ranner- Lori Frey Ranner is a New Orleans native. She holds a double B.A. in History and Classics from Loyola University New Orleans and an M.Phil. in Byzantine Studies from the University of Oxford (Keble, 1996), with a concentration in Ecclesiastical History. Her area of academic specialization is Latin and Greek ecumenical relations in the period following the Fourth Crusade. Between 1999-2014, she held the post of extraordinary lecturer at Loyola New Orleans in the Departments of History and Classics. For the past seven years she has taught Latin, Ancient Greek, World Religions, and Honors/AP World History at Holy Cross School and Ursuline Academy. She is married and mother to three children. In May of this year, she published her first novel, Sailing to Byzantium.

Shannon Salmon- Shannon is well-known to many of our students and their families already, having been a member of the faculty and staff at Sacred Heart since 2016, when she joined our Little Hearts program. Though beloved by Little Hearts students, parents and PLUS participants, Shannon sought opportunities to broaden her scope and experience at Sacred Heart, and she transferred to the Institutional Advancement team in 2019. During her tenure on this team, Shannon quickly adapted to the administrative side of education, bringing fresh perspective and high energy to our special events and on-going development activities. Shannon brings eleven years of teaching experience to her new position. As Dean of the Upper School, she is most looking forward to interacting with students again, guiding the young leaders of the Rosary Campus in their final years at Sacred Heart, and building on the relationships she has established with many parents in our school community.

Mae Stair- Though raised in the suburbs of Kansas, Mae Stair has been teaching and tutoring in the New Orleans area for over thirteen years and considers herself a native New Orleanian. Mae holds a Master’s of Fine Arts in Poetry and comes to Sacred Heart with ten years of experience as an educator and tutor, specializing in contemporary American poetry and creative, arts integrative instructional design. A published poet, Mae’s passion is teaching poetry explication, poetry writing, and American literature. Recently, Mae attended Rice University’s AP Language and Composition professional development. Mae is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and passion with Sacred Heart students.

Allie Timberlake – Allie brings a wealth of college admissions experience and counseling relationships to her role as College Counselor, having worked in the admissions office at selective universities around the country and with more than 20 years of experience in education. She joins Sacred Heart from Jesuit High School, where she guided over 1,000 students and their families through the college application process over the past 10 years. In her new role, Allie looks forward to getting to know your daughter; guiding her in building a strong academic foundation; encouraging her to explore her interests; and building her confidence and self-awareness.

Molly Whittington- Molly is a Tennessee native who transplanted to New Orleans in 2009. A graduate of the University of New Orleans, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Math, Molly has always enjoyed working with students to help them develop their mathematical skills and confidence. She has experience teaching at the college and high school level, and is looking forward to mentoring the young women of Sacred Heart.

Mimi Yacoubian- Mimi graduated from the Rosary in 2015 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature and Latin American and Latinx Studies with a minor in Religious Studies from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. At Rhodes, she became certified in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Her experience as a 2014 exchange participant with the Sacred Heart School in Chile inspired her to return to Chile to study Health Studies with IES Santiago in 2017. After graduating from Rhodes in 2019, she decided to return to Chile for a third time as she was recruited to teach English with the English Opens Door Program in Quellon, Chiloé at El Centro Educacional San Agustín. She subsequently taught Spanish 1 and 2 at Patrick Taylor Science and Technology Academy in Avondale, LA. Most recently, Mimi taught Spanish 1 at Houston High School in Germantown, TN. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s of Arts in Teaching Degree with a concentration in World Languages from the University of Memphis. She is truly looking forward to returning home to ASH and sharing her love of the Spanish language and culture with her students. In her spare time, Mimi loves to run in Audubon Park and cook with friends and family.

In the Middle School

Caroline Leroy- Caroline is excited to teach French at the middle school level (grades 5 through 8) and to share her language and culture with her students. She is from the region of Champagne in Northeastern France and studied literature at the University of Reims where she earned a Master’s degree. She chose the teaching path as a way to serve the various communities she encountered. Over the past twenty years, she has worked with students at the elementary, middle, high school and college levels in France, in the United States and in China. This included providing individual, small group and whole class instruction in English, Spanish and French. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, gardening and traveling back to France to see family.

Kellen Ranger- Kellen is returning to Sacred Heart to teach math and religion in the Fifth Grade. She attended the Rosary from Nursery through high school and graduated in 2001. After receiving her Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in elementary education, Kellen spent eight years teaching at Stuart Hall School for Boys and most recently five years at Holy Name of Jesus School. Kellen enjoys walking, reading, and swimming in her spare time. Kellen is excited to finally be a teacher at the Rosary and can’t wait to start this new adventure back home. She is proud of her family heritage and is a fourth generation educator of the Sacred Heart. Kellen and her husband, Justin, are thrilled to have their two daughters, Mary Rose and Louise, on the Mater Campus.

Cherie Tregre- Ms. Cherie Tregre is a Louisiana native and 17-year veteran foreign language teacher of Spanish and English. She has spent the majority of her career in the high school Spanish classroom here in New Orleans. Her passion and life-long learning of the Spanish language comes through in her extensive travels to Latin America and recently having spent three years living and teaching in South America. She looks forward to sharing the Spanish-speaking world with the 8th grade.

In the Preschool and Lower School -

Liz Allain– Liz has joined the Preschool as a Kindergarten co-teacher. Liz is a graduate of LSU where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Liz has an extensive background having taught at The Fay School in Houston, TX and most recently at Trinity Episcopal School in Galveston, TX. In addition to teaching, Liz was the Head Swimming Coach. Liz  and her husband are excited to make New Orleans home and to become part of the Sacred Heart Community. In addition, she and her husband have a black lab named Tchoup who they enjoy taking to the park. 

Gigi Baay– Gigi is excited to join Sacred Heart as a full time lead teacher in Sacred Heart. A graduate of the University of New Orleans, Gigi has an extensive and varied background having taught previously at both Sacred Heart and Stuart Hall. In addition, she has served as a classroom teacher, librarian, and assistant admissions director. Many may recognize Gigi, last year she served as a maternity sub in both first and second grade. Gigi and her family have a long history at the Rosary, she is a graduate of Sacred Heart in addition her granddaughters are on the Mater Campus. In her spare time, Gigi and her husband John enjoy raising bees, sailing, and gardening.

Katie Estes– Katie has joined us as the Pre-Kindergarten co-teacher. Katie is a native of Memphis, TN and recently graduated from LSU with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Katie is familiar with the Independent all girls school environment having attended The Hutchison School in Memphis, TN. This summer, Katie was a valued member of the Sacred Heart Summer Camps where she led the prekindergarten class.  Katie shared that The Sacred Heart community has been warm and welcoming and she feels that she has found a home that shares the same values and calling. In her spare time, she enjoys grilling and smoking BBQ Memphis style!

Angela Glaviano- We are excited to welcome Angela Glaviano to the Preschool and Lower School where she will join the fourth grade team this year. Most recently, Angela served as an enrichment teacher in Little Hearts overseeing Global Education.  A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, Angela has over nine years of teaching experience having taught at St. Dominic and Hynes Charter School. In addition, she holds a Master of Arts from the University of New Orleans.   Angela shares that she is a native New Orleanian, graduated from Saint Scholastica Academy, and lives in Gentilly. When not teaching, she spends most of my time with family and friends either entertaining at my home, going to festivals, running in road races, or playing tennis.

Frances Durand- We are excited to have Frances Durand join the second grade team as lead teacher. Frances is a graduate of Louisiana State University with Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Francis has over 5 years teaching experience, most recently at Ursuline and before that serving as a third grade teacher at St. Jean Vianney Catholic School in Baton Rouge.  Frances grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana but has grown up learning about the traditions of Sacred Heart as her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother are a Rosary graduates. In addition, Francis joins the Sacred Heart coaching staff as assistant Varsity volleyball coach. In her spare time, Francis and her husband David love being outdoors, playing sports and spending time with friends and family.

 Meghan Reilly- Meghan joins the Second Grade team as lead teacher. Meghan is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies with a concentration in Education and a minor in History and Math. Meghan has spent the last five years at Lusher Charter School as a kindergarten co-teacher. Meghan shares that she is excited to join the Sacred Heart community where she can work to build long lasting relationships with her students and their parents. In her spare time, Meghan runs her own monogramming company and enjoys spending time with her family and pets.

 Meredith Baldwin- We are excited to welcome Meredith to Sacred Heart where she will take on the first grade co-teaching position. Meredith is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans where she graduated with a Bachelor of Art in History. In addition, she holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from University of New Orleans. Meredith previously taught at Trinity Episcopal School in New Orleans where she was a first grade teacher. For the past four years, Meredith lived in San Francisco, CA with her husband and two children. With the move back to New Orleans, Meredith is looking forward to joining the Sacred Heart Community. In addition, Meredith’s daughter, Millie, will join the prekindergarten class. 

Sarah Corvers- Sarah joins the Sacred Heart as a first grade lead teacher. Sarah is a graduate of LSU with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. In addition, she holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Gifted Education from University of New Orleans. Sarah is a graduate of Ursuline Academy where she also taught first grade for the past three years. In addition, she taught for a year at St. Dominic. This past summer, Sarah served as Newman Summer Camp Sports Environment Head. In addition, she has coached softball. With her love for an all-girls, Catholic education, Sarah is excited to join the Sacred Heart Community. This summer has been a busy one for Sarah. She married her husband, Kyle this summer.

Mary Margaret Meaux- Mary Margaret will be working alongside Janice Foulks on the Mater Campus this school year as counseling intern. Mary Margaret is currently a graduate student in Counseling at LSU Health Sciences Center and  will Intern with Janice on the Mater Campus. In the Summer of 2016, she studied at the Université de Sainte Anne in a 6 Week French Immersion Program Pointe-L'Église, in Nova Scotia. She has also provided dance skills and instruction for many years to ages 3 - 18.

In Little Hearts:

Emily Burnett– Emily joins the Little Hearts team as a co-teacher for LH2. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Studies and a Minor in Psychology. Emily has been teaching two- and three-year olds for six years and is very excited to join the Little Hearts team. One of her favorite things about teaching this age group is watching her students make new discoveries daily and am constantly learning from them. Emily enjoys running with her dog, Beaux, at the park and taking him on road trip adventures.

Becca Dunn- Becca joins the Little Hearts team as the library and Spanish enrichment teacher for LH2. Becca graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2021, where she studied Art Education and minored in Spanish. During her time there, she acted as President for the Art Education Student Chapter and volunteered with a local art school, working with children from ages 2 to 12 to bring art to the community. She began her time with Sacred Heart by teaching the Visual Arts camp, teaching drawing to Pre-K through 6th grade. In her teaching, Becca emphasizes community involvement and exploration of the world around us. Becca first visited New Orleans in 2016 and fell in love with the city. She decided to move to New Orleans shortly after with her boyfriend, Michael, and their dog, Doug. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, and making art. She favors drawing and metalworking but loves the challenge of learning new mediums. She is also passionate about learning about various cultures around the world and enjoys traveling to new places and meeting new people.

Angel Edrington- Angel joins the Little Hearts team as a LH2 lead teacher. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and brings twenty years of teaching experience. Angel has taught in early childhood education serving three and four year olds. She is excited to bring her experience to our two-year-old program. Angel has three children; one son and two daughters. Her oldest daughter graduated from ASH in 2021, and her youngest daughter is currently a freshman at ASH. Angel is thrilled to join the ASH community as a faculty member. Some of Angel’s favorite things to do include watching her children play sports, walking her dog, and watching home decorating shows. Angel has expressed that she feels at home on the Little Hearts faculty as her team members have been so friendly and welcoming!

Richelle Voelker - Richelle brings her many years of experience to our Little Hearts team as a LH3 co teacher. Richelle worked as a mild/moderate special educator in grades ranging from 1st through 12th for over 20 years in the New Orleans area. Most recently, she worked as the Coordinator of the Collaborative Redesign Project in the UNO College of Education and as the Director of Disability Services at Loyola University. Her work in culturally responsive and inclusive teaching remains a focus for her. Richelle has two children who are both educators. Her daughter, Lisa Crow, also teaches at ASH. She loves spending time with her family and her small dog. Richelle also likes spending her time with many life-long friends. She enjoys gardening, traveling, watching movies, reading, and eating out at New Orleans’ iconic restaurants.

Caroline Wade- Caroline is rejoining the Little Hearts faculty as a LH2 co teacher following a one-year opportunity working in the business world. Caroline quickly reaffirmed her passion for teaching young children and ASH is thrilled to welcome her back on the two-year-old team! Caroline received a B.S. from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She brings over eighteen years of experience working with young children. In her spare time Caroline enjoys sailing. She is a member of the Southern Yacht Club Sailing Team. She also enjoys working out, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Caroline loves keeping up with best practices in early childhood education and is looking forward to the upcoming school year with much enthusiasm!