Ms. Ann Feltner, Principal

This will be Ms. Feltner’s 6^th year as Principal of Saint Peter’s Catholic School in beautiful Beaufort, SC. Ms. Feltner has lived in Beaufort since 1996, and Saint Peter’s is her beloved parish.

Ms. Feltner was a Saint Peter’s school parent, a teacher’s aide, a teacher (Pre-K, 3^rd grade, 5^th grade, as well as middle school Religion and English), and now an administrator. Four of her six children graduated from Saint Peter’s.

Ms. Feltner truly loves Saint Peter’s with a goal to lead this school to excellence and to see that it is always at the heart of this parish. She is truly devoted and committed to Catholic education and believes that our children are the future of the Catholic Church!

Ms. Feltner grew up in Ohio and attended Catholic schools all her life to the 12^th grade. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina’s Education program and has completed the Educational Leadership Master’s program at the University of Dayton.

She is the mother of six; 5 boys and 1 girl, (ages 23 to 42) and is expecting her 10th grandchild. God is Good all the time!

Mrs. Joy Atkins, Executive Assistant

Mrs. Joy Atkins has been a part of our school family since 2006. She was born and raised here in Beaufort, SC. Joy has always had a love for children and a passion for shaping the lives of others. Joy has a daughter who is enrolled in our school.

Mrs. Joy previously taught PreK-3 at Saint Peters’s and enjoys traveling, helping others, spending time with family and most of all being a mom. She looks forward to sharing many exciting adventures with the students each year!

Mrs. Madison Ritter, Pre-K3 Teacher

Mrs. Madison Ritter is the Pre-K3 Lead Teacher. She started with us last year as the Pre-K4 assistant, and also worked in our Aftercare program. She was born and raised in Pennsylvania, but recently moved here from California. She enjoys spending time with her son and husband traveling and doing anything outdoors.

Mrs. Ritter has a background working with children of various ages in diverse settings. She also attended Northampton Community College for Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Ritter enjoys working with children and loves being a part of their educational journey.

Ms. Ana Francisco, Pre-K3 Assistant

Miss Ana Francisco has lived in Beaufort for 4 years. Her family enjoys going on walks and looking for sharks’ teeth. She has been working at St. Peter’s Catholic School for 3 years.

Her two children, Briana (K-5) and Edgar (K-4), will be attending Saint Peter’s again this year. She enjoys working with our wonderful school and staff. This year she will be working as the Pre-K3 Teacher Assistant. Miss Francisco is bilingual (Spanish and English) and can assist with translation when needed.

Mrs. Leyla Heightland, Pre-K4 Teacher

Mrs. Leyla Heightland is the Pre-K4 Teacher at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. This is her second year at Saint Peter’s, but her seventh year of teaching. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Mrs. Heightland is a graduate of Western Governors University where she majored in Early Childhood Education. She obtained a certification in Spanish, Read to Succeed as well as Handwriting without Tears. She has worked hard this summer to earn her 60+ hours for certification in Creative Curriculum Instruction, through the 4k First Steps Program.

Mrs. Gail Shannon, Pre-K4 Assistant

Mrs. Gail Shannon is our beloved Pre-K4 Assistant and has been with Saint Peter’s Catholic School since 2000.

She was born and raised in Latrobe, PA. She attended Bradford Business Institute in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mrs. Gail has worked hard this summer, alongside Mrs. Heightland, learning the Creative Curriculum Instruction, through the 4K First Steps Program.

Mrs. Gail has two daughters, both who attended Saint Peter’s. She enjoys working with the children and loves being part of the Saint Peter’s Catholic School family.

Ms. Jade O’Conner, Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Jade O’Conner is thrilled to be a part of the Saint Peter’s family. She will be our new Kindergarten Teacher, a year where children grow emotionally, socially, physically, academically, and spiritually. She feels blessed to guide them through this exciting and memorable time.

Ms. O’Conner was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University at New Orleans. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in educational studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Reading and Literacy from Louisiana State University.

She has been in the field of education for over four years. During which time, she has been a Paraprofessional, Academic Interventionist, Response to Intervention Specialist, and Early Childhood Elementary Teacher.

Mrs. MaryAnn Taormina, 1st Grade Teacher

Mrs. MaryAnn Taormina is our First Grade Teacher at Saint Peter’s Catholic School.

Mrs. Taormina, a life-long Catholic, was born and raised in New Jersey. She moved to South Carolina last summer. She resides in Bluffton with her husband John and son John-Michael.

Mrs. Taormina received her degree from Felician University in New Jersey. She has a BA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Her entire career has been in Catholic Education, many of those years teaching First Grade.

She looks forward to working, playing, and praying with her students this year. Mrs. Taormina is so happy to be a part of our school family!

Mrs. Christie Mauritz, 2nd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Christie Mauritz is the Second Grade Teacher at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. She is a native of Greenville, South Carolina and moved to Beaufort three years ago. She is married and has two sons; one is a recent graduate of Clemson University and the other attends John Paul II Catholic School. This is her third year at our school.

Mrs. Mauritz graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at Columbia College. Previously, she taught in several Catholic elementary schools in Greenville, South Carolina.

Miss Elise Segally, 3rd Grade Teacher

Miss Elise Segally will be teaching Third Grade at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. This is her fourth year at our school.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education, K-6^th grades from Kutztown State University in Pennsylvania. She also holds a specialization in Science and Social Studies for grades four through eight. While in Pennsylvania, she taught for two years in a Catholic school.

Miss Segally is recently engaged to her fiancé, David and will be getting married in March, here at Saint Peter’s. She has a Yellow Lab, named Fripp.

Mrs. Veronica Preziosi, 4th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Veronica Preziosi is our new Fourth Grade teacher at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. She looks forward to meeting her new students and is excited about the start of the school year.

Mrs. Preziosi moved from New Jersey to Beaufort about two and a half years ago. She taught in New Jersey for eight years. Her experience is with the public-school system and with a Christian school within the same district. She is a member of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church.

She is an avid reader. She also loves to do arts and crafts, teach, ride a bicycle, and enjoy time with her family. We welcome Mrs. Preziosi to our school.

Mrs. Ruthie Dixon, 4th-6th Grade Teaching Assistant

Mrs. Dixon is from Charlotte, NC and has lived in Beaufort for two years. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She has been an elementary school substitute teacher in Beaufort for the last two years.

Mrs. Dixon is excited to have a permanent home at Saint Peter’s where she can help children flourish spiritually as well as academically.

She enjoys the beach and spending time with her husband, Doug, her dog Newman, and little cat named Shrimp.

Mrs. Karen Kessinger, 5th/6th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Karen Kessinger begins her eighth year of teaching here at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. Before coming to Saint Peter’s, she taught at Infant of Prague Catholic School in Jacksonville, NC. She is married and has five children and two grandchildren.

Mrs. Kessinger received her Bachelor of Education degree at UNCW in Wilmington, NC.

She will be teaching Fifth and Sixth Grade Elementary Language Arts (ELA), Religion, and Math, as well as sixth grade Religion and Math.

Mrs. Melanie Coombes, Librarian/Technology Specialist

Mrs. Melanie Coombes is our Librarian/Technology Specialist for grades Pre-K3 to Sixth Grade. Mrs. Coombes received her Bachelor of Science in Communications from Norwich University in Vermont. Her elementary certification (K-6) was from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. This is her second year at Saint Peter’s Catholic School, but her eleventh year teaching.

Mrs. Coombes is married and has one child. They have been living in Beaufort for three years and are happy to call this home.

Mrs. Karin Bennett, PE Teacher/Athletic Director

Mrs. Karin Bennett will be teaching Physical Education at Saint Peter’s Catholic School this year to grades Pre-K3 through Sixth Grade.

Mrs. Bennett graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing. For one year, she specialized in Elementary Education at Conway Elementary School.

She has been at Saint Peter’s for two years as a First Grade Teachers’ Assistant during the 2018-2019 school year, and our PE teacher and Athletic Director during the 2019-2020 school year.

Mrs. Bennett is married to her husband, Ted and has two children that attend Saint Peter’s, Brody (Kindergarten) and Kinley (Pre-K3).

Mrs. Yolanda Sams, Spanish Teacher

¡Hola! Mrs. Yolanda Sams is our new Spanish Teacher this year. She is a native of Spain where she received her education at Mary Immaculate Catholic School. She studied abroad in England. Upon moving to the United States, she acquired a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at the University of Washington, and her Master’s degree at Chapman University.

Welcome to our school Mrs. Sams. Mrs. Sams is very excited to meet your children!

Mrs. Lynne Milner, Art Teacher

Mrs. Lynne Milner is our Art Teacher at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. She has been teaching for over twenty years. This is Mrs. Milner’s fourth year at our school.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Art Education from the University of Georgia. Mrs. Milner has taught in both public and private schools.

Because we are a Catholic school, the study and creation of sacred Art also holds a special place in Art the class.

Mr. Taylor Runyan, Music Teacher

Mr. Taylor Runyan is the Music Teacher at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. This is his second year at Saint Peter’s.

He received his undergraduate degree from Furman University. Prior to accepting the position of music teacher at our school, Mr. Runyan has had experience with various companies around Beaufort County. He has also been teaching Music and giving piano lessons to students during that time. Mr. Runyan will also be the sponsor for our School Choir.

Mr. Runyan is married to his wife Andrea, and they are expecting a baby any day!

Mrs. Brandy Yates

Mrs. Brandy Yates was born and raised in Beaufort, SC. She is a 1993
graduate of Beaufort High School, and attended The University of South
Carolina – Beaufort.

In addition to helping out with the Extended care program, Mrs. Yates is
the current Operations Manager for Praise 94.5, a local radio station,
here in Beaufort.

Mrs. Yates has worked in radio for 25 years.

She has been married since 2006 to her husband Chris. They have 2
daughters, Brittley, who is 12 and Colbey, who is 8, and 4 cats: Sheba,
Sam, Miss Kitty and Cookie.

Mrs. Deborah Marzluff, Educational Consultant

Mrs. Deborah Marzluff is the Education Consultant at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. This is her sixth year at our school. Mrs. Marzluff has over forty years in the education field. She has taught in public schools for the majority of her career. She is originally from Charleston and was educated in Catholic schools there. She and her husband graduated from Bishop England High School. They have two sons.

Mrs. Marzluff earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina. She furthered her educational studies by earning her Masters in New Professional Studies, Education at George Mason University. She holds a South Carolina teaching credential.

Mrs. Marzluff assists the principal and the staff with professional development backed by current research. She mentors teachers and provides guidance on best practices. Staff members can utilize her knowledge in areas of need throughout the school year.

Mrs. Dori Lassey, Learning Center Director

Mrs. Lassey is the Learning Center Director and Reading Specialist for grades Kindergarten through 6th. She enjoys supporting young students by targeting their specific needs and watching them blossom into readers.

Through her ongoing educational pursuits, Mrs. Lassey has attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Teaching, with a focus on literacy. She has taught in Department of Defense Schools for thirty-seven years and has over forty-two years’ experience in the field of education. This will be her third year at Saint Peter’s Catholic School.

As Learning Center Director, she helps assess those students needing extra support in reading. She identifies each child’s strengths and weaknesses and then provides the instruction needed to help them meet grade level expectations. This is in addition to the classroom instruction. Additionally, she supports and collaborates with other members of the Learning Center Team and provides materials and information to classroom teachers to help enhance their reading programs.

Mrs. Gil Westerfield, Math Specialist

Mrs. Westerfield retired from Laurel Bay Schools in June 2016 with twenty-seven years of experience in the Department of Defense School System. She is now the Learning Center Math Specialist for second through sixth grades.

Mrs. Westerfield holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Education from Cambridge College.  She is also certified as a Reading Specialist in grades Kindergarten through 5^th. This is her second year at Saint Peter’s Catholic School.

Mrs. Westerfield provides math support to students individually or in small groups, to help improve or enhance math skills. She collaborates with classroom teachers to meet the needs of her students and has a strong belief that ALL children are innate mathematicians and problem solvers.

Sister Agnes Marie Winter, Office Assistant

Sister Agnes Marie Winter celebrated her 50th jubilee as a Sister of SS. Cyril and Methodius this year!

Born and raised in Lebanon, Pa., she entered the community in 1967 and made her vows in 1970.

Sister Agnes served at St. Gregory the Great as a teacher and office assistant from 2007-2020. She also has worked at the St. Francis Center Outreach on St. Helena Island since her community started running it in 2013.

Her sisters noted that she was quite athletic as a younger person, playing basketball for her high school girls’ team, bowling, skiing and more.

She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Alvernia University and Catholic University of America, respectively.

Welcome Sr. Agnes Marie!