New Faces at St. B’s
We are pleased to introduce five new faculty and staff members who have joined us this year. We wish them a warm welcome to St. Bernard’s!
Katie Cunningham, Grade V Teacher
Katie Cunningham grew up in Madison, Alabama, a suburb of Huntsville. She was graduated from the University of Alabama with a major in elementary education and is currently working toward becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. She began her teaching career in her hometown, teaching fifth and sixth grades at Rainbow Elementary School. She also coached the Varsity Dance Team at the local high school. While in Alabama, she served with Royal Family Kids Camp, a camp for children who are currently placed under foster care, for several years, serving as both counselor and assistant dean of women. Katie thoroughly enjoys her new life in New York City with her husband, David, a software engineer for Bloomberg.
Janna Jalkanen Greenhill, Grade VII Teacher
Janna Jalkanen Greenhill grew up in Helsinki, Finland. After earning her Baccalaureate, she attended the University of Paris where she studied literature, linguistics, and philosophy, earning a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in French Literature. Ms. Greenhill started a family – and her teaching career – in Northern California, returning to live and teach in Helsinki for a few years before settling in Nyack, New York, to work as the seventh and eighth grade homeroom, English, French, and Social Studies teacher at Blue Rock School for eight years. Ms. Greenhill loves languages, writing, and the arts, and is always looking to learn more. She is thrilled to be teaching seventh graders at St. Bernard’s and is looking forward to delving deeper into the wonderful traditions of the school.
Matthew Hickey, Physical Education
Matthew Hickey, Physical Education
Matt Hickey grew up in Mahopac, New York, where he was a three sport athlete and received all-section recognition in soccer and basketball. He was a four-year starting point guard and senior captain of the Keene State College Basketball team and majored in Physical Education. Matt’s family is very sports-oriented. His older brother and sister played college basketball, and his father played baseball. After graduation, Matt actively coached and taught physical education. Over the last five years, he was the director of physical education at a Boys Club and coached many competitive baseball, soccer, and basketball teams in New York City. Matt's hobbies include playing golf, athletic training, and spending time with family and friends. He currently lives in Manhattan. Matt is an avid sports fan and is passionate about his Yankees, Knicks, and Giants. He is looking forward to a great first year at St. Bernard’s.
Ruth Lee, Junior School Learning Specialist
Ruth Lee, MEd, ET/P, WDP, is a professional educational therapist, a licensed special educator, and a Wilson certified reading instructor. Ms. Lee specializes in evaluations and analysis, leading to individualized educational interventions for students with learning disabilities and other learning challenges. She has extensive experience conducting academic and literacy evaluations and has been a staunch advocate for students, particularly those needing accommodations and modifications in the classroom.
Before moving to south Florida in 2013, she was the Senior Learning and Educational Specialist for the Child Mind Institute. She returned to New York last year and resumed her private practice. Ms. Lee began her career in education as a Learning Specialist in both public and private schools in Massachusetts and New York.
Ms. Lee has a Master's in Education for students with moderate disabilities from Lesley University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland. She is a professional member of the Association of Educational Therapists, which sets the standards for the professional practice of educational therapy in the United States.
Mary Porter, School Nurse
Mary Porter, School Nurse
Mary Porter is a long time resident of New York City. Born in Manhattan Beach, California, her family moved to Wisconsin and then settled in Massachusetts by the time she was five. Mary feels that having grown up with only one sister and six brothers, and now being an aunt to ten nephews, helps her feel right at home at St. Bernard’s School.
A licensed registered nurse (RN) with over thirty years of experience in the health field, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) from Georgetown University. Her brother’s passing from AIDS shortly after graduation inspired her to go to work in one of the first AIDS units in the country at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York. Further nursing experience has included public and private schools, clinics, hospice, and hospitals.
Her lifelong study of mindfulness and meditation, as well as extensive training in holistic nutrition and healing hands therapy, have all contributed to her unique perspective on the field of nursing. Among her myriad skills is that of family health management and counseling for terminally ill patients and their loved ones.
Mary enjoys swimming, hiking, and following football, baseball, and tennis. She is particularly fond of any activity that takes her into nature. Mary sketches and paints for relaxation. She’s an avid reader and has enjoyed knitting since age seven. Happy to join the St. Bernard’s community this year, Mary looks forward to fostering trusting, supportive relationships with the students and parents.
