Inspirational Teachers and Staff

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.

Mrs. Mansour joined Saint Thomas the Apostle in 2016 as the Preschool Director. She received her 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. Mrs. Mansour’s 4 children have graduated from STA and she and her husband are grateful for the excellent education and the wonderful community. Mrs. Mansour says, “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 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.

Ms. Weisenburger earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and recently obtained the Nationally Certified School Nurse credential. She also functions as lead nurse for health personnel within the Diocese of Phoenix. Prior to school nursing, Ms. Weisenburger worked in employee health and wellness, occupational health, home health case management, healthcare recruitment and business development. She has four fantastic boys, all of whom have matriculated through Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic School. When Ms. Weisenburger is not at work, she volunteers with several non-profits, plans weddings and parties, loves to cook theme dinners, and reads all different genres of books.

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.

Paul McLaughlin has been at St. Thomas the Apostle since 2017. Mr. McLaughlin loves his roles as Athletic Director, PE Teacher and Technology Teacher, and really enjoys being a part of this community. He earned his B.A in Education at Park University in Kansas City, where he attended on a soccer scholarship. In 2021 he earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration with GCU.

My name is Kendall Brecheisen and I am one of the second grade teachers. I am the oldest of 3 sisters and am proud to be an STA alumna, having attended from Kindergarten through 8th grade. After STA, I continued my education at Xavier College Preparatory and then earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona in Spring 2024. I also completed my master’s degree in Early Childhood Education: Curriculum and Instruction through Liberty University online. While pursuing my master’s, I had the privilege of substituting across various grade levels at STA, as well as all preschool ages in Tucson, AZ. My personal experience growing up in Catholic schools inspired me to return to Catholic education as a teacher, and I couldn’t be more excited to be back at the STA community that shaped me!

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.

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 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!!!

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. I've been teaching at STA since 2014.

I grew up in central New Mexico and love the Southwest. I come from a large Catholic family and am the daughter of two converts to the faith. My mother converted from atheism while my father converted from Judaism. My parents passed on to me a deep love for the life of prayer and liturgy, as well as the need to be able to intellectually explain what you believe. I first felt God's call to be a teacher when I was fifteen and at eighteen, realized I was also being called to religious life. I have been a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist for twenty-five years. For eighteen of those years, I have had the joy of being in the classroom. Most recently (the last four years), I have taught 7th and 8th religion at a large Catholic school in Austin, TX. It has been a joy to work with the young people here and I look forward to doing the same in AZ.

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.

Sarah Chapdelaine has been teaching at Saint Thomas the Apostle School since 2012. She attended STA for her elementary education. She earned her master's degree in educational administration through GCU. Mrs. Chapdelaine and her husband have two children, a son and a daughter. Mrs. Chapdelaine says, "I have been a student, a teacher, and now a parent at STA. I truly love being part of this amazing 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.

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.