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:
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Administration / Front Office / Operations:
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| Maureen Giacchino, MBA Principal
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 has the education, experience, knowledge, and passion to lead us to the goals that we all want for our students. Mrs. Giacchino is always eager to meet with parents so that together we can create a bright future for our students.
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| Paul Sobieski, President
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 26 years, and have three children: David, who attends HCC and coaches the MCA Rugby team; Catherine, a Junior at the University of Texas in Austin; and, John, who is a Senior at MCA.
E-Mail: psobieski@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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| 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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| Christopher Bartley, English II, III & IV, Bible Studies (Spring 2010)
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. He is married to Madelyn (also a teacher in HISD who attended MCHS for several years) and has four children.
E-Mail: cbartley@mountcarmelacademy.us
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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 Link to Italian Class Asignment page: ITALIAN CLASSES
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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
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| Katherine Mayse, 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
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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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| 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 one child.
E-Mail: jbanes@mountcarmelacademy.us
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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
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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
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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: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/mountcarmelapushistory
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| Robert Rogina, Spanish & Desktop Publishing
Mr. Rogina has taught Spanish at Mount Carmel High School, Westbury Christian School and St. Christoper's School. He is an avid golfer as well a very good webmaster for area golf courses. He and his wife, Carmen, are the proud parents of Ella Rogina who was in the first graduating class of MCA.
E-Mail: rrogina@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| Jennifer Vasquez, English I and English II
Mrs. Vasquez is new to MCA but brings much enthusiasm and desire to work with our Freshmen and Sophomore students.
E-Mail: jvasquez@mountcarmelacademy.us
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| George Arnold, MBA 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.
E-Mail: garnold@mountcarmelacademy.us
Mr. Arnold's Website: http://grarnold10.tripod.com
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| Frank Hammers, MEd Algebra I
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
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| Erin Silva, Choir & Drama Teacher
Mrs. Silva works at MCA part-time as our Choir and Drama teacher. 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.
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| Amy Bates, English and Tutoring
Ms. Bates has many years experience working with Language Arts classes, TAKS tutoring and has a real love for the English language. She is a Certified Language Arts and Social Studies teacher, and has has taught for ten years. After providing part-time tutoring in Spring 2009, she joined the MCA staff full-time.
E-Mail: Abates@mountcarmelacademy.us
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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: mmcshane@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 two current MCA students, she is married to Lacy Wolf. Carrie and Lacy were members of the original steering committee that was instrumental in starting MCA.
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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 is a Senior at MCA.
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| Alma Perez, Front Office Aide
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| Julie Keith, Volunteer Computer Expert and Science Lab Project Manager
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| Mary Sobieski, Volunteer Coordinator (VIPS)
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