Faculty & Staff
Administrative Staff
Father Esteban DeLeon
Pastor
Father Esteban DeLeon
Dr. Carey Averill
Dr. Carey Averill was appointed as principal at Star of the Sea Catholic School in 2017. Dr. Averill's career has been blessed with a variety of experiences and opportunities that have taken her all over the world. She began her teaching career with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools teaching in Seoul, Korea, which is where she met her husband. She then had the opportunity to teach in Schweinfurt, Germany, and Fort Bragg, NC on Army bases. She also taught in public schools in FL and NC and served as a crisis counselor in Syracuse, NY.
Dr. Averill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University, a Master of Education in School Counseling from Campbell University and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from George Washington University where her research focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education. Blessed with numerous military moves, she had the opportunity to earn additional endorsements in Gifted Education, Middle School Mathematics, and School Leadership as well as serve as a STREAM Coordinator.
Dr. Averill's goal is to enhance the educational and spiritual opportunities for all students at Star of the Sea. With recent renovations and an administrative addition, she is excited for the new opportunities this affords current and future students. She encourages everyone to tour and experience the welcoming school and environment that her amazing teachers and staff provide!
Dr. Averill and her husband, retired Army LTC, reside in Virginia Beach with their two sons and Boston Terrier. You can find them on a basketball court, lacrosse field, or at a cross country or track meet. She invites everyone to become a STAR!
Support Staff
Jennefer Powers
After Care Coordinator
Jennefer Powers
Julie Pagano
Kitchen Manager
Julie Pagano
Monica Baragar
Nurse
Monica Baragar
Myriam Traub
Segura Representative
Myriam Traub
Samantha Wood
Nurse
Samantha Wood
Thomas Lyle
Maintenance
Thomas Lyle
Virginia Canissario
Cafeteria Assistant
Virginia Canissario
Elementary Homeroom Teachers
Cary Ressler
PreK 3
Cary Ressler
Isabel Valentini
PreK 4
Isabel Valentini
Maryanna Oshana
PreK 3
Maryanna Oshana
Hello! My name is Maryanna Oshana, I am 24 years old, and I have grown up in Virginia Beach the last 14 years.I recently received my degree at Franciscan University with a Bachelors of Arts in Theology. My excitement to begin this adventure at Star of the Sea as a Pre K teacher is growing day by day. I have a special place in my heart for Star of the Sea school and parish, as I was a student here during my 6th and 7th grade year, seven years ago! Star of the Sea has been a part of my growth and to be able to teach this upcoming school year is truly a gift!
I have spent two summers working as a missionary at a youth summer camp and that experience has been a pivotal aspect in my faith journey. Through my time as a missionary I had fallen in love with the Catholic faith, and grown in relationship with Jesus Christ, which led me to study theology. Throughout the last two years at Franciscan I have truly learned the importance of what it means to practice our faith and to spend time always learning and growing in my identity as a daughter of the Lord. My interests and hobbies include reading, writing, working out, and crafting from time to time. A few fun facts are that I was born in Sydney Australia and my name Maryanna actualty translates into Star of the Sea, so I have always had a devotion to Our Lady Star of the Sea! I am so excited and looking forward to a beautiful school year!
Lindsey Shallis
Kindergarten
Lindsey Shallis
Lindsey recently earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies from the University of San Diego. As a Navy veteran with a deep commitment to service, she is proud to support her husband, who is currently serving in the Navy. They reside in Virginia Beach with their daughter and two pups. In their free time, you can find them soaking up the sun on the beach or exploring the woods through hiking and camping adventures. Lindsey is thrilled to become part of the Star of the Sea family!
Michelle Vonusa
Kindergarten
Michelle Vonusa
Diana Socha
1st Grade & Vice Principal
Diana Socha
Glenn Perry
2nd Grade
Glenn Perry
Michelle Magnini
3rd Grade
Michelle Magnini
Theresa Baldwin (Flemings)
3rd Grade
Theresa Baldwin (Flemings)
Mark Jones
4th Grade
Mark Jones
Marianne Padrick
5th Grade
Marianne Padrick
Dr. Anne Landress (Calloway)
5th Grade
Dr. Anne Landress (Calloway)
My name is Dr. Annie Calloway and I am a native of North Carolina and enjoyed teaching and leadership roles during my career in the Tarheel state. After “retiring” in August 2023 and relocating to Virginia Beach, I had the pleasure of getting to know the school last year as a substitute and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in a full time capacity this year as a math and science teacher.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, dancing, and exploring my new home in historic Virginia. How fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful place! My daughter, Dana, is also a teacher in Madison, Wisconsin.
Middle School Homeroom Teachers
Amberjean Gallagher
5th - 8th Grade Theology
Amberjean Gallagher
Caitlin Radigan
Social Studies
Caitlin Radigan
Christina Ely
Language Arts
Christina Ely
My name is Christina Ely and I come to Star of the Sea Catholic School with over 35 years teaching experience. I have taught in New Mexico, Mississippi and Virginia. While pursuing my teaching career, I was also a published author. My love for language is at the core of my teaching philosophy.
I hold a B.A. and M.A. in Educational Leadership and Spanish, and I am endorsed in Bilingual and Teaching English as a Second Language by New Mexico. English Language Arts is my specialty, and I am eager to share my love of language with Star of the Sea students. I have three grown children and five grandchildren that are my whole world.
Meg Bibeau
Mathematics
Meg Bibeau
Nancy Chase
Science
Nancy Chase
Ms. Nancy Chase, Middle School Science teacher, is from Chesapeake, Va and attended ODU for her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology with minors in Spanish and Biology and her Master’s from the Univ. of SC in Kinesiology.
Nancy has taught science in middle and high school in North Caroline, Florida and Virginia. She enjoys traveling, sports, swimming, and photography as well as time and the beach and mountains.
Non-Homeroom Teachers and Aides
Karen Bray
Kindergarten Assistant
Karen Bray
Leah Dollahan
PreK 3 Assistant
Leah Dollahan
Lindsey Dutko
Grade 1 Assistant
Lindsey Dutko
Tara McNally
Kindergarten Assistant
Tara McNally
Tricia Smigel
PreK 4 Assistant
Tricia Smigel
Specials Teachers
Alexa Odanga
Art
Alexa Odanga
Annette Martinez
World Language, Spanish Teacher
Annette Martinez
Dr. Barbara Salter
Music
Dr. Barbara Salter
Gina Signorello
Counselor
Gina Signorello
After graduating college, I worked as a long-term substitute for the San Diego Unified School District. After moving to Virginia, I taught 3rd and 4th grade at Willard Model Elementary School in Norfolk. After taking a brief career sabbatical to have children, I taught Junior K at St. John the Apostle Catholic School. During this time, I was a member of the Master Curriculum Council for the Diocese of Richmond for the development of the Early Childhood Curriculum. I then taught 1st grade at St. John the Apostle Catholic School up until last year when I became the Reading and Math Resource teacher. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences teaching children and working with parents over the past twenty years.