Our Faculty and Staff


           One mission drives the Nativity faculty and staff: to prepare their students intellectually, morally and spiritually for high school and, ultimately, college.

           The faculty is comprised of experienced master teachers with expertise in both their subject matter as well as inner-city education. Full-time intern teachers who are committing up to two years to the school add to the learning environment as well as oversee the after-school programs, tutoring sessions and Saturday activities. This leads to a student-faculty ratio of seven students to each faculty member.
 

 

Bill Carpenter -- President

Dianne Crowley -- Principal

Dianne joined Nativity in 2008  as the Implementation Coordinator with the charge to help establish the school. She was involved in all aspects of the startup process especially in outreach efforts to the community and the selection of our first class of students. Last year, she was responsible for the school office as well as the nutrition program, volunteer support and the extended day activities. Dianne has been involved in education her whole career with a special focus on inner-city children during her long tenure at St. Monica school.

Thomas Lott: ELA
Thomas brings 25 years of experience educating students at Nazareth College, the Rochester City School District, and Desert Sands Unified School District in California. He holds a BA in English and Elementary Education from Nazareth College, as well as Masters degrees from the University of Rochester and National University. A McQuaid Jesuit graduate, he is excited to spread his love for reading, speaking, writing, and listening, as well as running, to his students.

Dorann Salvaggio: Math
Dorann has also been an educator for over 25 years both at Nazareth Academy and Christ Community Church School, where was both Principal and teacher. She received her Masters in education at SUNY Brockport.

Jill Mensing: Science
Jill joins Nativity from Mother of Sorrows where she oversaw the science program. Her16 years as a teacher followed a BS in Geology and Earth Science from SUNY Brockport where she also received a Masters In Education. Beyond teaching, Jill has a passion for the outdoors and lives on a farm, which often allows her to bring practical experience to the classroom.

Loretta Yatteau: Social Studies
We are truly blessed to have Loretta back this year given the fundamental role she has played in establishing the learning environment at the school. Strong as an educator and avid as an advocate, she brings out the best in our students. A long time resident of the Southwedge neighborhood, she received her BA from SUNY Brockport and Masters from St. John Fisher.

Richard Calitree has joined Nativity as our new Religion teacher.  Rich is from Rochester and received his degree in    Business Administration from Oswego State. After working for Kodak for 15 years, he went on to receive his Masters from St. Bernard’s Institute in Religious Studies and Pastoral Counseling.  He has taught at both Siena Catholic Academy and Aquinas Institute. He has coached a variety of sports and comes with much experience working with middle school students. 

Sr. Magdalina Kelner SSJ: Spanish:
Following 29 years teaching at Nazareth College and Academy,
Sr. Magdalena has graciously offered to share her experience with our students. Her broad background covers a BA in Math & Chemistry and a Masters in Spanish from Middlebury College.

Martha Capozzi: Office Manager
Martha is the first person you see as you enter the school and she is well experienced in overseeing all aspects of life in the “school office”. Our staff and students are receiving the benefit of her 20 years of experience at Nazareth Academy. Beyond her administrative role, Martha is also certified as a nurse.

Sue Petronello is our new Director of Advancement and brings a wealth of education and fundraising experience to Nativity.  As Executive Director for the Star Kids Scholarship Program in Rhode Island, she raised more than $500,000 per year to provide tuition aid and placed over 100 high risk, low income students in local private and parochial schools.  A returning Rochesterian, Sue received her BS in Education from SUNY Geneseo and Masters from Nazareth and taught for eight years in Webster prior to leaving Rochester.  

Roxanne VanDeWalker:
We are pleased to have Roxanne back to oversee our food services and this year she has taken on additional responsibilities to help maintain the school.

We are fortunate to have three intern teachers again this year to help oversee the educational experience of our students. These dedicate young people are Americorp volunteers who put in endless hours teaching, coaching, tutoring, overseeing meals and enrichment activities as well as mentoring our students.

Bill D’Antonio grew up in Rochester, NY and is a graduate of McQuaid Jesuit and John Carroll College.  He has a BS degree in Economics. Mr. “D” spent six months studying Business in London, England and wants to pursue a graduate degree in law.  “Service has taught me that there is a tremendous amount of interconnectedness of the community and the citizens who dwell within it; by improving society at large, you are making improvements to yourself .”

Katie Rosario grew up in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University with a BS in Psychology.  She spent last year in Alaska in the Jesuit Volunteer Corp working for Big Brothers-Big Sisters.  “Through service I find a unique way of  helping others the best that I can and I am able to learn much about myself. I find fulfillment in meeting new people and learning from their special skills and their life lessons.”

Amanda Geniviva grew up in Victor, NY and is a graduate of Geneseo with a BA in Math and Science.  She lived in Brazil for two years and returned to work with Habitat for Humanity during college.  She also studied in Prague. “I decided to volunteer for AmeriCorps because I wanted to spend a year in service.  I feel that everyone should dedicate more time to helping others.”