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.

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.”

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.

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!!!

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.

I’m Marilyn Ghazoul, and I’m thrilled to be joining you as the new second grade teacher. My journey with STA began in kindergarten and continued through to my graduation in 2016. Following that, I attended Xavier College Preparatory and later Barrett, the Honors College at ASU, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology in December 2023. Currently, I am pursuing my Master’s in Elementary Education through ASU's online program. While my career path has taken various turns, returning to St. Thomas two years ago reaffirmed my calling. During this time, I had the privilege of working with the preschool-kindergarten aftercare program, Little Mustangs. This is where my love of teaching blossomed. The unwavering love and support of God, my family, friends, and the STA community has provided me with the strength and guidance to embark on this exciting new chapter in my life. I am eager and enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the STA students.

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, Mrs. Goossen loves bringing her passion for reading, writing and social studies, into the classroom. Originally from Southern California, she and her family have lived in Phoenix since 2011. She has two children who both completed their grammar school years at St. Thomas the Apostle. Mrs. Goossen says, “I’m grateful for the education STA gave our children, and the community it has provided for our family.“

Mrs. Goossen received her BA in English with an Emphasis in Education from California State University Northridge and her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. She is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Administration from the University of Mary.

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!

My name is Edmund Hubbard. I am blessed and ecstatic to join the STA team as the new fifth grade teacher. I come from Annunciation Catholic School in Cave Creek. I taught middle school for four years. I am a product of the Catholic schools and graduated from Brophy College Preparatory.

I married the most beautiful, intelligent and humble woman named Logan. God blessed us with smart and deliberate baby named Warren. He is about 20 months old and I look forward to the day he can join the STA family as a student.

I have learned that a Catholic school teacher is a calling, not a profession. I believe I have been called to inspire confidence in young men and women and help them build a more personal relationship with Christ. I can also teach them some math and science.

I am thrilled to be coming to St. Thomas next school year! To tell you a little more about myself, I am originally from Austin, TX, entered my community in 2015 and made my final vows last summer. I have a BSEd in Education (4-8 Social Studies) and a minor in History from Southwestern University. I have been teaching elementary school however for the past couple of years. I did my student teaching with 7th and 8th grade in Austin before teaching at our Spiritus Sanctus Academy in Ann Arbor (last year I taught 2nd grade and this year I am teaching 5th). I am looking forward to jumping back into the history classroom and have only heard wonderful things about Phoenix.

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 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.

Sarah Chapdelaine has been at Saint Thomas the Apostle School since 2012. She attended STA 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. She and her husband have a one-and-a-half-year-old son, William. Mrs. Chapdelaine says, "I love 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.

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.