Inspirational Teachers and Staff

Mrs. Mary Coffman, MA, has served as principal of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic School since 2008. She holds a Masters of Arts degree in Education with an emphasis on differentiated instruction. She has taught third grade through the community college level. She has served in a variety of leadership roles including 8 years as an assistant principal.

Mrs. Coffman is committed to excellence in Catholic education. She was raised by parents who worked hard to give their children the gift of Catholic education as students of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine in the Bronx, NY. Mrs. Coffman and her husband Gary have been married for over 30 years and are the proud parents of three grown children; all graduates of Saint Thomas the Apostle and local Catholic high schools.

In addition to my administrative duties as assistant principal of St. Thomas the Apostle, I also teach Honors Algebra to eighth grade. I attended Xavier College Prep, the University of Arizona, and Pace University, where I received a Master's degree in Elementary Education. Before teaching at St. Thomas, I taught third grade in the Bronx, NY as a Teach For America corps member. I consider it an honor and privilege to work at St. Thomas.

I have been at St. Thomas Apostle since 2009. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Family Resources and Human Development from Arizona State University.

I joined the faculty in August 2002. I attended Catholic schools in Ohio from grades K-12. I attended Arizona State University where I earned both a Bachelors of Science in Psychology as well as a Master’s degree in Social Work. I provide classroom guidance, small group counseling sessions, individual counseling and consultation to students as well as parents.

I joined Saint Thomas the Apostle in 2016 as the Preschool Director. I also teach the 3’s preschool class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Child Development from Saint Mary’s College of California, and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Palo Alto University. I have 4 wonderful children, three who are STA graduates and one who is currently an STA Junior High student. Early childhood education, child development and parenting support are all passions of mine, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve the STA community.

I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. I have worked as a School Nurse since 2003. Prior to school nursing, I worked in employee health and wellness for a mid-sized hospital system in the valley and have extensive experience in occupational health, home health, healthcare recruitment and business development. I have four fantastic boys, three of whom have matriculated through Saint Thomas and the fourth is in Junior High at STA as well. I am a native Arizonan but love all things beachy. My hobbies include baking, reading and walking my sweet Labrador, Buddy.

I was a classroom teacher for many years in my hometown of Philadelphia, where I received my Bachelor's Degree from Holy Family University, a small Catholic college. When I moved to Phoenix, I was so blessed to join the Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic School community, as a classroom teacher. I received my Master’s degree in reading at ASU. After teaching third grade for many years, I am now the Educational Support Specialist at STA. I work with identified students in grades 5 to 8, who may need some extra help.

This is my 3rd year at St. Thomas the Apostle. As well as my role as the Athletic Director, I also teach 4th grade PE. I received my B.A in Education at Park University in Kansas City, where I attended on a soccer scholarship.

I am currently teaching the Pre K program at Saint Thomas. I have been at Saint Thomas since 2004. I attended ASU where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Education as well as a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Development. I also have a Reading and Early Childhood Endorsement. I feel very blessed at Saint Thomas; not only do I work with the youngest students at our school, I also work with the student leaders of the junior high as Student Council Moderator.

I have worked as an instructional assistant since 2009. I have also done a lot of substitute teaching at STA. I received my BA from the University of Arizona and am an STA as well as Xavier alum. I have three wonderful boys who have attended St Thomas since Kindergarten. I love my job, but most of all I love the kids!!!

An Arizona native, Ms. Maddie Minton grew up attending Catholic schools in the valley. She attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School and Xavier High School. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Children Education. Ms. Minton taught for two years in the Scottsdale School District and is excited about teaching at STA!

I am a graduate of the University of California, Davis and obtained my teacher training at the University of California, Dominican. I taught in California and then took a position in sales for 10+ years. After my 3 children graduated from STA, I couldn't stay away and began my teaching career again! I feel blessed to be part of this loving, Catholic community. Teaching is truly my calling and I couldn't be happier!

I grew up in Arizona and attended the University of Arizona where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. I have been a Kindergarten and First Grade teacher for a total of seven years. I truly enjoy coming to school everyday and providing students with experiences that will enrich them educationally and developmentally, while continuing to deepen our faith and create faith filled students. I am so blessed to now call St. Thomas the Apostle my home!

Miss Emma Cisneros-Luebke attended St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Francis Xavier as a young student. She graduated from Xavier College Preparatory and continued her education as a student athlete at California Lutheran University before coming home to complete her education at Arizona State University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology as well as a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Emma loves being home with her family. She is excited to begin her teaching career at St. Thomas the Apostle.

Ms. Keller began teaching at Saint Thomas the Apostle in 2018. As an alum she is excited to be back! She earned a BA in Psychology, Special Education Rehabilitation Deaf Studies from the University of Arizona. Ms. Keller also has an MA degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Regis University.

Sister Maria Gemma hails from Michigan. She lived in Denver (and briefly in Moscow) for graduate studies and work in international business and Russian refugee resettlement before returning to Michigan to answer God’s amazing call to become a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2000. Most recently she has been serving at Spiritus Sanctus Academy (one of the community’s two schools) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

As a former award-winning journalist and newspaper editor, I love bringing my passion for reading, writing and social studies, into the classroom. Originally from Southern California, my family and I have lived in Phoenix since 2011. My children both attend St. Thomas and I’m grateful for the community and education that STA has given our children.

I received my BA in English with an Emphasis in Education from California State University Northridge and my Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University.

Former STA fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Angela Locher, is back! Mrs. Locher is excited to be returning to STA after being home with her daughters, Joan (3yrs old) and Maren (1 ½ years old). Mrs. Locher is a graduate of Arizona State University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a Master's degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Locher is passionate about learning and helping students achieve their full potential. She enjoys reading, traveling, and watching sports.

I was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. I attended Saint Theresa Catholic Elementary School, then Saint Mary’s Catholic High School. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education as well as my Masters in Bilingual Multicultural Education from Northern Arizona University. I taught in Phoenix District #1, and Scottsdale District before taking a leave of absence to raise my three children. For two years, I taught middle school at another Catholic School. This is my second year here at Saint Thomas!

I started working at Saint Thomas in 2009 teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade religion. I am also a 7th grade homeroom teacher. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from ASU and a Bachelor of Philosophy and a Master of Arts in Theology from the Pontifical College Josephinum.

I am currently teaching sixth, seventh, and eighth grade science. I am originally from Iowa City, IA. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Phoenix and my teacher's certification from Rio Salado College.

I received my undergraduate degree from Arizona State University. I earned a post-baccalaureate degree in Education and a Master's degree in Education/School Counseling from the University of Phoenix. I have taught primarily in Catholic schools. Literacy is the most important skill for students to master both in school and in life. It is my hope that I both prepare my students for high school and instill in them a love for reading and writing. I received the Excellence in Education Award in 2017 and have also been awarded the Xavier College Preparatory Golden Gator Award.

I have been part of the Saint Thomas music ministry for 8 years. I earned my B.A. in Music Education from Arizona State University with an emphasis in choral direction. I love sharing my gift of singing and thrive in teaching music history, theory, and the art of performing. Most importantly, it is my passion to make an impact on students and help them find their own gifts in the performing arts. In 2013, I became one of the two nominated in Arizona for a Grammy Award in the Music Educator’s category. It is my passion to enlighten students in music and encourage them to follow their dreams.

I am currently teaching physical education for kindergarten through 8th grade. I have been at Saint Thomas since 1998. I was born in New York and moved to Phoenix when I was 9. I attended St. Daniel the Prophet, Gerard Catholic High School, and then Arizona State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree. I also earned my Master of Arts degree from the University of Phoenix in Administration and Supervision in 2001.

I am the Spanish teacher for grades K-8 and have taught St. Thomas since 2002. I attended a Catholic elementary, high school and Catholic university in Mexico City, where I earned my bachelor's degree. I am happy to continue the Catholic tradition by teaching in a Catholic school.

Ms. Whitfield received her undergraduate degree in English with minors in Classical Languages and Theology from Belmont Abbey College. She received her master’s degree in Education from University of Mary. Ms. Whitfield joined STA in 2014 and established the Latin program. She also established the Latin curriculum at St. Mary’s High School. Additionally, she teaches Reading Enrichment to 6th and 7th graders using the shared inquiry method when discussing great works of literature. Ms. Whitfield loves reading and discussing great works of literature and teaching the language of the Church with her students at STA!

This is Mrs. Chapdelaine’s 10th year teaching at Saint Thomas the Apostle. She attended S.T.A. for her elementary education, Xavier College Preparatory for High School, and completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Arizona. Mrs. Chapdelaine earned her master's degree in Educational Administration through GCU. Mrs. Chapdelaine and her husband have a one-year-old son, William. Mrs. Chapdelaine loves being a part of this amazing St. Thomas community.

I have enjoyed being a 2nd grade teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle since 1977! In 2017 I decided to continue to serve the STA community by becoming the School Librarian and a 4th grade aide. My family moved to Arizona from California in 1962. I attended high school at Coronado in Scottsdale, graduated from ASU with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and have an Early Childhood Endorsement.

I began work as an instructional aide in the Diocese of Phoenix in 1999. I have an Associate’s Degree in the medical field. I am a certified Catechist. In addition to teaching religious education, I have also volunteered for the Phoenix Youth Symphony, Kivel Campus of Care, the Phoenix Boys Choir, and as a team parent for the aquatic team I received the Phoenix 100 Award from the mayor’s office for volunteerism. I enjoy reading, ceramics, quilting, crocheting, hiking, gardening, cooking, antiquing, historic auto racing, and vintage car collecting. I have been married for over 30 years and have three adult sons.

Dawn Mulligan, JD, BS, is the Tuition Manager, along with holding Junior High teaching and technology coordinator duties. Mrs. Mulligan has served in various capacities at St. Thomas through the years, including as a homeroom teacher, substitute teacher, Athletic Director, Fundraising Liaison, and Auction Chair. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with degrees in Accounting and Law, and also holds a post-bac degree from Rio Salado College in elementary education.