Mount Carmel Academy has an exceptional staff and faculty with many years of experience.
We are proud of each and every one of them. A short biography on each follows below:
Adminstration / Front Office / Operations:
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| Paul Sobieski, President and Co-Founder
Mr. Sobieski is one of the founders of Mount Carmel Academy and serves as President of the school. He is actively involved in all aspects of running the school and can be found holding a pen, a hammer, or even a broom - whatever is needed to make the school work! Before it closed, he was an active parent and board member of the old Mount Carmel High School and is one of five siblings who all graduated from MCHS. He majored in History and Geography at the University of St. Thomas here in Houston. Along with his brother, Steve, he is owner of Fund Resources, Inc., which provides help to groups raising money. He and his wife, Mary, have been married 27 years, and have three children: David, who is in the National Guard; Catherine, a Senior at the University of Texas in Austin; and, John, an MCA graduate who is attending San Jacinto University majoring in Music Production.
E-Mail: psobieski@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Rod Takacs, Principal
Mr. Takacs came to Mount Carmel after teaching at St. Thomas High School for the past years, and at Mt. Carmel High School the ten previous years before that. He brings great experience in teaching Social Studies, test preparation and tutoring. Mr. Takacs and his wife, Moira, both graduated from the old Mt. Carmel HS, as did his three children. Last year, he served as Assistant Principal, and now starting in July 2011, he has become our Principal. We are very excited to have him serve in that role. Mr. Takacs will spend his time focusing on mentoring our students, faculty and staff.
E-Mail: rtakacs@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Maureen Giacchino, MBA Development and Co-Founder
Mrs. Giacchino brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to our school. She has a degree in secondary education, a Master's degree in Business Administration and she has been in the education field for over 40 years as a high school teacher, college teacher, college administrator, and owner of a business that provides training for government and industry. In addition, Mrs. Giacchino spearheaded the founding of Mount Carmel Academy and worked diligently to open the school. She then served as Principal from October 2008 thru July 15, 2011. She will continue to support MCA by working part-time on Development projects.
E-Mail: mgiacchino@mountcarmelacademy.us
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Melanie Becker, J.D., Academic and College Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Becker began her career in Houston as a business attorney after earning her undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and completing her law degree (Juris Doctor) at the Ohio State University College of Law. She is married and has two children, twins, who are currently attending two different colleges (one in Texas and one out of state). Her son graduated from Carnegie Vanguard High School and her daughter graduated from the Visual Arts program at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. While her children were in high school, Mrs. Becker actively worked with guidance counselors and faculty and was very involved in parent organizations at both schools. She has been a PTO President and Board member, a member of a high school Shared Decision Making Committee and a senior class parent representative. Her activities included increasing school awareness in the community and helping students make decisions about their education. She has been a Girl Scout leader for 12 years and is active in many ministries at her church. As a licensed Texas attorney, Mrs. Becker knows how to research, ask questions and find answers. She brings to MCA and our students a great wealth of knowledge about the college admissions process.
E-Mail: mbecker@mountcarmelacademy.us or mbecker@houstonisd.org
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| Carla Hagerty, Registrar
Mrs. Hagerty comes to MCA from Mt. Carmel High School where she served as Registrar and Administrative Assistant. She previously worked in the Development and Business offices at MCHS. She is an MCHS graduate, married and has four grown children, all alumni of MCHS.
E-Mail: chagerty@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Moira Takacs, Front Office Manager and Receptionist
Mrs. Takacs was the front office manager and receptionist at Mt. Carmel High School. She is a graduate of MCHS as is her husband, Rod. Moira and Rod have three children, all graduates of MCHS, including Victor, who is the Social Studies teacher here at MCA.
E-Mail: mtakacs@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Carmen ChavezVilla, Attendance Clerk
Ms. ChavesVilla oversees MCA's attendance department. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Coahuila. After graduation, she taught for ten years and then spent two years serving as Assistant Director of a private school in Coahuila. In 2000, she served as Support Technician for the Mexican Federal Electoral Institute. Since moving to the United States in 2003, she has worked in several HISD charter schools specializing in maintaining academic records.
E-Mail: cchavezvilla@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Judy Koch, Professional Development & Teacher Motivational Coach
A former teacher, principal, administrator and superintendent, Mrs. Koch works at MCA part-time to help our teachers and staff be "all-they-can-be." Her wealth of knowledge and experience gives our staff and faculty someone who "has been there" to learn from and ask questions.
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| George Arnold, MBA Chemistry and Upper Math
Mr. Arnold is certified in both Mathematics and Chemistry. He received his Bacherlor's Degree from Marietta College and his Masters from the University of Houston Clear Lake. Prior to teaching, he worked in the chemical and oil industry for over 30 years. He is a former Scoutmaster, baseball coach, youth mission leader and team leadership instructor. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with MCA students. Mr. Arnold moved into the Science Lab for fall 2011 and is excited to get the lab running smoothly.
E-Mail: garnold@mountcarmelacademy.us
Mr. Arnold's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/garnold/
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| Jason Banes, Health & PE
Mr. Banes brings energy and enthusiasm to all of the Health & Physical Education classes. He graduated from UH with a degree in Kinesiology/Sports Administration with a minor in Health. While at UH, he lettered in cross country and track. He began his teaching career at MCHS before coming to MCA. He is currently the MCA Boys Athletic Director, the Cross Country Coach and the Track Coach. He is married with two children.
E-Mail: jbanes@mountcarmelacademy.us
Mr. Banes's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/jbanes/
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| Christopher Bartley, English II, III & IV
Mr. Bartley is a veteran English teacher joining MCA from MacArthur High School in Aldine ISD. A native Houstonian, he is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in HISD and earned his degree in English and History from TSU. He has served as a motivational speaker for more than 20 years. His late wife, Madelyn (formerly a teacher in HISD who attended MCHS for several years), was a cherished member of the MCA community and will always be remembered for her smile and kindness. They have four children.
E-Mail: cbartley@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Dr. Carolyn Brock, Ph.D., English and Language Arts
Dr. Brock brings many years of teaching experience to MCA. She has taught math and language arts classes in several school districts over the years. Most recently, she served as Head of School at Baytown Christian Academy, helping to build the school from an enrollment of 80 to 460. She has served a trustee on the school boards of Goose Creek CISD and Crown College. During all these years, she has also served on several school accreditation commissions in Texas and is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Teacher Society. She graduated from Wheaton College, earned her Master of Science in Education from UH-Clear Lake, and her Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. We are very excited to have her join the staff of MCA to share her love of teaching with our students!
E-Mail: cbrock@mountcarmelacademy.us
Dr. Brock's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/cbrock/
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| Ernest Davila, Art & Spanish
Mr. Davila is a graduate of Logos Christian College where he earned a degree in Theology, with a minor in Computer Accounting. He previously taught at Gateway Charter School and MCHS before coming to MCA. He is an active artist for Wall Expressions, painting murals and faux finishes on walls for churches, schools and businesses. He painted the walls of the MCA front office and many other areas of the new school. He lives one block from MCA and enjoys walking to school each day. A man of many talents, he is faculty sponsor for MCA's Senior Class of 2009. He also became the first faculty member to write and be awarded a $10,000 grant from the University of St. Thomas for Art.
E-Mail: edavila@mountcarmelacademy.us
Mr. Davila's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/edavila/
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| Erica Davis, Spanish, and Cheerleader & Dance Sponsor
Ms. Davis ia a graduate of the University of Houston where she earned a degree in Communications with a minor in Spanish. She has completed the Region 4 Certification Program in Bilingual Education is currently seeking the Language Other Than English/Spanish certification. She is al oa member of (NABE) National Association for Bilingual Education. Ms. Davis is very passionate about the Spanish language and culture!
E-Mail: edavis@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Frank Hammers, MEd Upper Math
Mr. Hammers is certified in Mathematics and has taught Mathematics, English, Band and Orchestra in high schools as well as Algebra and Trigonometry at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of New orleans and his Masters from the University of Louisiana Lafayette.
E-Mail: fhammers@mountcarmelacademy.us
Mr. Hammer's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/fhammers/
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| Susan Hanley, Math
Mrs. Hanley comes to MCA after having taught in the Clear Creek ISD and Huntington Learning Center. She is certified in Mathematics, and has experience in teaching Math, Reading and SAT Prep. Before becoming a teacher, she worked for over 20 years Lockheed Martin on NASA and space shuttle programs. She has been awarded the NASA Silver Snoopy Award. She graduated from the Georgia Institue of Technology with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
E-Mail: shanley@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Toartou Kargou, IPC & Physics
Mr. Kargou came to MCA from MCHS. He was born in Liberia, moved to the US with his family and then graduated from the UH with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. While at UH, he was a four-year letterman in track and cross country. He is working on his Masters in Education Administration. He is also the coach of the Boys' Soccer team at MCA.
E-Mail: tkargou@mountcarmelacademy.us
Mr. Kargou's Website: www.orgsites.com/tx/mcamrkargou
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| Elizabeth Librojo, Chemistry & Biology
Ms. Librojo was born in Manila, Philippines, but soon thereafter, her family moved to Pearland. She graduated from Pearland High School. She attended Houston Baptist University where she graduated with two degrees, one in Biology and the other in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology. Throughout high school and college she found fullfillment and enjoyment working with youth ministry programs.
E-Mail: elibrojo@mountcarmelacademy.us
Ms. Librojo's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/elibrojo/
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| Sr. Theresa Mai, Algebra II, Pre-Cal, Calculus, Italian
Sister Mai has taught for 25 years. A native of Vietnam, she graduated from UH with a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Computer Science. A member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province, her quiet resolve to assure the academic success of all students is clear and strong.
E-Mail: tmai@mountcarmelacademy.us
Sr. Mai's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/tmai/
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| Katherine Mayse, MEd, Journalism, Creative Writing, Newspaper & Yearbook
Ms. Mayse is a second year teacher at MCA. She graduated from UH with a double major in Journalism and Philosophy and was awarded membership in the Honors College. She pursued her graduate degree in Journalism at the University of Nebraska. While at UH and UN, she served as editor of the college yearbooks. She can be seen all over the school and at almost all school events taking pictures. She also works as a professional photographer.
E-Mail: kmayse@mountcarmelacademy.us
Ms. Mayse's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/kmayse/
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| Victoria Netty,
Ms. Netty grew up in Wilmer, TX, near Dallas, and graduated from DeSoto High School. She attended Lamar University in Beaumont where she earned a bachelor's degree in English. She is certified in Language Arts. Ms. Netty has worked at MCA as a substitute teacher and in the 2011-2012 school year will teacher English as well as undertake other projects. We are very excited to have her join our staff.
E-Mail: (Will start working Aug. 15th) vnetty@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Erin Silva, Choir, Drama, Theater Arts and Spanish Teacher
Mrs. Silva grew up in Garden Villas. An interesting coincidence is the fact that Mrs. Silva's wedding was the last wedding ceremony held in the old Garden Villas United Methodist Church before it was closed and subsequently rented by MCA. These past two years, she worked part-time at MCA and comes on board full time to teach Choir, Drama, Theater Arts and Spanish. She is active the Newman Club where she serves as song-leader.
E-Mail: esilva@mountcarmelacademy.us
Mrs. Silva's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/esilva/
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| Joni Smith, MEd Language Arts, Social Studies, SAT Prep
Mrs. Smith grew up in Baytown, just east of Houston. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from UH, and her Master of Arts in Teaching from UH-Downtown. During the past eighteen years, she has taught Social Studies, Language Arts, Debate, Math and Communications classes at Baytown Christian school. She also taught Music, Theater and PE. She is certified to teacher many different subjects including SAT Prep, which she will teach to MCA Juniors this year.
E-Mail: jsmith@mountcarmelacademy.us
Mrs. Smith's Website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/jsmith/
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| Victor Takacs, MEd World History, Economics, Government & Food Science
Mr. Takacs comes from a large extended family connected to the old MCHS. Both his parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins are all alumni of MCHS where he learned the true meaning of friendship, respect and academic success. After graduating from MCHS he attended Texas A&M, graduating with a degree in Political Science. He has received his Master of Education degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. He is well-known for his love of cooking and students eagerly await his springtime class in Nutrition and Food Science.
E-Mail: vtakacs@mountcarmelacademy.us
Mr. Takacs' website: www.mountcarmeltakacs.weebly.com
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| Julie Zebley, Math & Geography
Ms. Zebley grew up in Lake Charles, LA, where she graduated from McNeese University. She joined the staff of St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles where she taught Geography and Algebra classes. In summer 2011, she moved to Houston where she joined our MCA staff.
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| Larry Zeringue, Geography & American History
A native of Louisiana, Mr. Zeringue comes to MCA from O'Connell High School in Galveston. He has taught for 25 years. He earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. At MCA, he coached the Girls' Volleyball team to an undefeated season culminating in MCA's first State Championship trophy. He is the Girl's Athletic Director and also coaches the Girls' Basketball team.
E-Mail: lzeringue@mountcarmelacademy.us
Larry Zeringue's website: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/lzeringue/
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| Theresa Fuentes, Aide / Book Clerk
Mrs. Fuentes was also one of the original volunteers who helped all summer to get MCA off the ground. She now works on many activities at the school including managing the book room. She has a son, Alex, who graduated from MCA in 2010.
E-Mail: tfuenes@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Julie Keith, Volunteer Computer Expert
Mrs. Keith, along with her husband, Patrick, have been very generous donors to MCA. Julie has volunteered her time to get our computer lab up and running, and maintains our equipment in top notch shape. She can be found at all MCA events, from cheering in the stands at football games, to our galas and proms, to helping with graduation every year.
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| Mary Ann McShane, Account/Business Manager
Mrs. McShane has been active in the founding of the school and has a degree in Accounting from the University of Houston. She graduated from the old Mount Carmel High School. Her son, Nick, is a Senior at MCA.
E-Mail: mamcshane@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Mr. Ochoa, Custodian
MCA begins each school day assured that the school is always clean and ready for a new day because of Mr. Ochoa's work! He is the former custodian at MCHS and has done similar work at Houston Community College. He is originally from El Salvador and has lived in the United States for 26 years. He is married and has five children.
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| Alma Perez, Front Office Aide
Ms. Perez has worked in the MCA front office for the past two years, and handles all kinds of projects as well.
E-Mail: aperez@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Carrie Wolf, Aide
Mrs. Wolf can be found in almost any area of the school helping as an aide, classroom monitor, uniform sales coordinator and all types of other activites. The mother of one current MCA student (Catie, Sophomore) she is married to Lacy Wolf. Carrie and Lacy were members of the original steering committee that was instrumental in starting MCA. Their daughter, Coryn, graduated from MCA in 2010, and son, Gerad graduated in 2011.
E-Mail: cwolf@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Mary Sobieski, Volunteer Coordinator (VIPS)
Mrs. Sobieski grew up in Houston, graduating from Westbury High School, and then earning her bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas. For the past 35 years, she has done research in a lab at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. She and her husband, Paul, are parents of three children, David, currently serving in the National Guard, Catherine who is a Senior at the University of Texas in Austin, and John, a 2010 graduate of MCA, now currently attending San Jacinto College in the Music and Productions department.
E-Mail: mmsobieski@gmail.com
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