Administration

Ms. Ann Feltner, Principal

This will be Mrs. Feltner’s 8th year as Principal of Saint Peter’s Catholic School in beautiful Beaufort, SC. Mrs. Feltner has lived in Beaufort since 1996, and Saint Peter’s is her beloved parish. Mrs. Feltner was a Saint Peter’s school parent, a teacher’s aide, a teacher (Pre-K, 3rd grade, 5th grade, as well as middle school Religion and English), and now an administrator. Four of her six children attended Saint Peter’s.

She truly loves Saint Peter’s, and her goal is to lead this school to excellence and ensure that it is always at the heart of the parish. She is truly devoted and committed to Catholic education and believes that our children are the future of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Feltner grew up in Ohio and attended Catholic schools from 2nd to 12th grades. 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 grown children; 5 boys and 1 girl and has 14 beautiful grandchildren. God is Good all the time!

Mrs. Courtney Borgan, Executive Assitant

Mrs. Courtney Borgan is excited to be joining Saint Peter’s this year as the executive assistant. She and her family have been apart of our school community for the last 9 years. Her goal is to show the school families the same sense of community that she and her family found at our school.

Courtney has attended Florida State University, Brevard Community College, Miramar Community College, California State University San Marcos, and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Integrative General Studies.

She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and sleeping in on the weekends. She and her husband have three children. Her two daughters are attending John Paul II this fall and her son will be attending Saint Peter’s as a proud upperclassman.

    Teachers

    Mrs. Joy Atkins, Pre-K3 Teacher

    Mrs. Joy Atkins has been a part of our Saint Peter’s Catholic School family since 2006. She was born and raised here in beautiful 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 at our school.

    Mrs. Joy has worked in the preschool setting for many years and is excited to be in the classroom to teach our little ones. She is looking forward to a school year full of fun and excitement!

      Mrs. Veronica Preziosi, 3rd Grade Assistant

      Mrs. Veronica Preziosi has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in literature from William Paterson University in New Jersey, and an Elementary Teacher (K-6) degree from New Jersey City University in New Jersey. She taught in New Jersey for eight years and has taught in South Carolina for four years. Mrs. Preziosi was the fourth-grade teacher at Saint Peter’s for two years.

      Mrs. Preziosi loves teaching, going to the beach, camping with family and friends, doing arts and crafts, and is an avid reader. She enjoys visiting her children and grandchildren in New Jersey as often as she can. Mrs. Preziosi is a member of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church.

        Mrs. Leyla Heightland, K4 Teacher

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

        Mrs. Heightland is a graduate of Western Governor’s University where she majored in Early Childhood Education and Curriculum and Instruction as her Graduate major. She obtained a certification in Spanish, Read to Succeed as well as Handwriting without Tears. She has worked very diligently for the past couple of years to obtain 120 credits of enrichment classes on Early Childhood Development.

        Mrs. Heightland loves teaching at Saint Peter’s Catholic School as she believes that faith-based education helps students develop deeper trust in God and in their own God-given abilities.

          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, alongside Mrs. Heightland, to learn 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.

            Mrs. Victoria Shepherd, K4 Teacher

            Victoria Shepard is very excited to be a K4 teacher at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. She has always enjoyed working with children and decided in 2005 that teaching children was her calling. Victoria has experience in physical education, motor development, and has taught in Reggio Emilia and Montessori environments. She believes that curiosity should be encouraged, and that children and adults should always pursue new information about the world around them. As a graduate of Catholic school, she knows first-hand how important it is to learn about our faith in the classroom and to serve our community.

            Victoria and her family moved to Beaufort in 2014 from Connecticut. Her children, David and Maggie, attend Saint Peter’s.
            During her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, spending time outdoors, and playing with her dogs Cessie and Luigino.

            Ms. Nneka Payne, K4 Assistant

            Ms. Nneka Payne is thrilled to be a part of the Saint Peter’s Catholic School family. She is excited about starting her new journey as a K4 Assistant. Ms. Payne was born in Hampton, South Carolina and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina. She earned an Associate degree in educational studies at the Technical College of the Low Country with a concentration in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education.

            Her philosophy when educating students is, “students are able to thrive when they are in a comfortable and creative environment”.

              Mrs. MaryAnn Taormina, Kindergarten Teacher

              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!

                Tina Calkins, K5 Assistant

                Mrs. Dorothy Combs, 1st Grade Teacher

                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.

                  Mrs. Madison Ritter, 3rd Grade & Technology

                  Mrs. Madison Ritter is in her fourth year of teaching at Saint Peter’s. She was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She enjoys spending time with her son and husband traveling and doing anything outdoors. Her family is currently pursuing adoption to expand their family.

                  Mrs. Ritter has a background in working with children of various ages in diverse settings. She will receive her associate degree in Early Childhood Education this fall from Northampton Community College. Mrs. Ritter enjoys working with children and loves being a part of their educational journey.

                    Mrs. Ruthie Dixon, Aide for 4th-6th Grades

                    Mrs. Dixon begins her third year at Saint Peter’s Catholic School as an assistant teacher for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades. She is from Charlotte, NC and has lived in Beaufort for four years.

                    Mrs. Dixon is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Before coming to Saint Peter’s, she was an elementary school substitute teacher for Beaufort County.

                    Mrs. Dixon enjoys the beach and spending time with her husband, Doug, and little cat named Shrimp.

                      Mrs. Mary Wijewardena, 5th Teacher

                      Mrs. Wijewardena is excited to be the fifth-grade teacher at Saint Peter’s. She was born and raised In Sri Lanka. She got married and moved to New York in 2021, and then she and her husband decided to move to the beautiful state South Carolina. They moved to Beaufort few months ago, and they are active members of the Saint Peter’s Catholic Church.

                      Mrs. Wijewardena has a background working as a high school teacher, Religion and Psychology coordinator, and examiner. She also worked as a public speaker and as a student counselor with 13 years of experience. She graduated in Psychology & Counseling and in Theology. She loves to work with charities and help with art therapy.

                      Mrs. Wijewardena will be teaching fifth grade Elementary Language Arts (ELA), Science and Social Studies as well as sixth grade Science and Social Studies.

                      Mrs. Karen Kessinger, 6th Grade Teacher

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

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

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

                        Ms. Paige Inglis, Teachers’ Assistant

                        Paige Inglis graduated from Beaufort High in 2016 and spent part of her junior and senior high school years assisting at St. Peter’s School as part of her high school experience. She has an affinity for children and thoroughly enjoys being around the children at the school and helping out in various classrooms.

                        Paige attended St. Peter’s from K-4 through 5th grade so she knows her Catholic faith traditions. Paige is very thankful to have the chance to help others to understand the abilities of special needs children.

                        It is her hope that they will go on in their lives to befriend those in the community who are like her and know, in a very personal way, that we are all God’s children, made in His image and likeness.

                        Specialist Teachers

                        Mrs. Melanie Coombes, Librarian

                        Mrs. Melanie Coombes is our Librarian for grades 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 fourth year at Saint Peter’s Catholic School, but her fourteenth-year teaching.

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

                          Mrs. Karin Bennett, Physical Education Teacher

                          Mrs. Bennett will be teaching Physical Education at Saint Peter’s Catholic School this year to grades Pre-K3 through Sixth Grade. She also enjoys coaching the many sports that Saint Peter’s offers.

                          Mrs. Bennett graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing in 2007. She also studied Elementary Education and was a student teacher at Conway Elementary School.

                          Mrs. Bennett has been married to her husband Ted, for 10 years, and they have two children that attend Saint Peter’s Catholic School.

                            Mrs. Elise DeRepentigny, PE Assistant

                            Mrs. Elise DeRepentigny, (formerly Segally), is the PE Teacher and MAP coordinator here at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. This is her sixth-year teaching at Saint Peter’s, and eighth-year teaching as a Catholic School Teacher.

                            She has a Bachelor of Arts in Education, K-6th grades from Kutztown State University in Pennsylvania. She also holds a specialization in Science and Social Studies for grades four through eight. She loves running and playing competitive sports. Not only has she played about every sport under the sun, but she loves to coach too!
                            She is married to her husband David and they have the most beautiful baby boy who was born this past January. She also has the cutest yellow lab named Fripp!

                              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.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.

                                Mrs. Anna Rothermel, Music Teacher

                                Anna Rothermel teaches music at Saint Peter’s Catholic School. She is excited to be returning for her second year! Mrs. Rothermel was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, but moved to Beaufort last year because her husband is a trombonist in the Parris Island Marine Band.

                                She has received degrees in both Music Performance & Music Education from Jacksonville University, as well as a Master’s in Music from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music.

                                In her free time, Mrs. Rothermel enjoys spending time with her dog, Delilah, and reading a good book!

                                  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. Kay Ahern, Special Education Teacher

                                    Mrs. Ahern is the Special Education Teacher at St. Peter’s Catholic School. She came to St. Peter’s last January.
                                    Mrs. Ahern was born and raised in Charleston, SC, and was thrilled when she had the opportunity to return to the lowcountry after living in the Atlanta area for almost 40 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Health and Physical Education, and her graduate degree in Interrelated Special Education. Mrs. Ahern has also taken advanced courses in using The Orton Gillingham Approach to Reading.
                                    Mrs. Ahern is an avid cyclist and spent her vacation this summer cycling through the Andalusia region of Southern Spain. She has been married for 47 years to her husband, Dan, and has two sons.

                                    Extended Care

                                    Mr. Alan Lehman

                                    Mr. Alan Lehman was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. and Trish in Savannah, Ga. Upon graduating from Delaware Valley College in 1973, he was hired by a Federal Law Enforcement agency and moved to Washington DC. He’s been married for over 44 years and raised 3 daughters in the South Jersey Area. Mr. Lehman worked in the College Graduation Recognition and Achievement Industry for 40 years. Retired in 2017, moved to Beaufort in 2020.

                                    Mrs. Patricia Lehman

                                    Mrs. Patricia Lehman was born and raised in Savannah, Ga. She was hired by a Federal Law Enforcement agency and moved to Washington DC in 1973. She’s been married for over 44 years and raised 3 daughters in the South Jersey Area. Mrs. Lehman worked in the College Graduation Recognition and Achievement Industry for 40 years. Retired in 2017, moved to Beaufort in 2020.

                                    Resource Staff

                                    Mrs. Dorothy “Dori” Lassey, Learning Center Director

                                    Mrs. Lassey is the Learning Center Director and Reading Specialist for Grades K through second. 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.

                                    As a military spouse frequently relocating, Mrs. Lassey has attended numerous colleges. Through her ongoing educational pursuits, she has attained a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Teaching with a focus on literacy. She taught in Department of Defense schools for thirty-seven years and has over forty-five years’ experience in the field of education. This will be her fifth year at St. Peter’s Catholic School. She enjoys supporting young students and watching them blossom into readers.

                                      Mrs. Gil Westerfield, Math Specialist

                                      Mrs. Westerfield retired from Laurel Bay Schools in June 2016 with 27 years of experience in the Department of Defense School System (DDESS). Mrs. Westerfield holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina and a Masters of Education from Cambridge College. She is also certified as a Reading Specialist in grades K-5.

                                      Mrs. Westerfield began her retirement career at Saint Peter’s Catholic School in 2018/2019. She is the Learning Center’s Math Specialist for grades 2nd through 6th. 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.

                                      Also, when needed, Mrs. Westerfield has provided extra reading support for students the past two years. This will be her fifth year at Saint Peter’s Catholic School.

                                        Mrs. Laura Richardson

                                        Mrs. Richardson retired from Beaufort County Schools in 2018 after 35 years as a school library media specialist.  She is National Board certified in School Library Media and South Carolina state certified in Elementary Education and English as a Second Language. Since retirement from full-time teaching, she began teaching swimming lessons at the Y, serving as docent at her church, and volunteering with the Kairos Prison Ministry.

                                        Mrs. Richardson came to Saint Peter’s Catholic School in 2023/24 as a reading specialist in the Learning Center for grades 2nd through 6th, providing English Language Arts support to students individually or in small groups.

                                          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!

                                          Mrs. Rebecca Clarke, Nurse

                                          Mrs. Becca Clarke is excited to be Saint Peter’s first school nurse. Mrs. Clarke and her family have lived in Beaufort since 2011, and all three of her children have attended SPCS.

                                          Becca has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Delaware, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA.

                                          Becca loves to travel and has been on many European pilgrimages. Her most recent trip was to The Holy Land. In her free time, Becca enjoys reading, being outdoors, and of course spending time with her children.