St. Irenaeus Parish School employs a very well-qualified faculty with all classroom teachers credentialed or completing their credentialing requirements. Five of our faculty members possess Masters Degrees. The teaching experience of our faculty varies from 2-35 years. All classroom teachers are Religious Education Certified by the Diocese of Orange. In addition, all members of the faculty and staff are first-aid and CPR certified; Safe Environment trained; and fingerprinted through our Diocese. We are proud of the fact that four members of our faculty/staff are St. Irenaeus Alumni.
Mrs. Jennifer Cierley – Kindergarten
In 1976 I started my school career as a first grade student at St. Irenaeus Parish School. As a graduate, I began to truly understand how my experiences at St. Irenaeus had helped build a strong academic and spiritual foundation for my future. I earned my B.A. from California State University, Fullerton. After a career in early elementary educational product merchandising, I returned to CSUF and earned my teaching credential. I began teaching at St. Irenaeus in 2005. As an educator, I am grateful for the opportunity to teach students academically and spiritually at St. Irenaeus. As the parent of a St. Irenaeus student, I am confident my child will grow and flourish in a faith-filled, nurturing environment. It is my goal to help children build the strong foundation I am blessed to have.
Mrs. Barbara Parsons – Kindergarten
After getting my Bachelor’s degree and credential in 1973 from Cal State University Long Beach, I began teaching. I taught for 9 years at Catholic schools in Long Beach before opening the first Kindergarten at St. Irenaeus in 1982. All of my teaching experience has been in Kindergarten and first grade. I enjoy being part of the faith community and watching our students grow to become active, faith-filled members of our parish and community. I enjoy traveling, scrapbooking, seeing movies, and most of all spending time with my family.
Mrs. Shannon Hunter – 1st Grade
I attended Loyola Marymount University, where I earned my undergraduate degree and teaching credential. I taught for twelve years in Los Angeles and Bellflower. I stopped teaching to raise my four daughters who all attend or have attended St. Irenaeus School. I returned to teaching after being a substitute and a stay at home mom. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family. I look forward to helping my students grow and develop in all their academic areas.
Mrs. Elisa Liljeberg – 1st Grade
I am a former student of Saint Irenaeus Parish School! I attended California State University Long Beach, where I earned my degree and teaching credential. I have worked as an aide and as a substitute. I have taught first grade at Saint Irenaeus Parish School since 2004. I enjoy working with first graders, and I love to see the growth and progress that each child makes. Besides teaching I enjoy spending time with my husband, son and daughter.
Mrs. Joyce Hermosura – 2nd Grade
I have taught second grade at St. Irenaeus Parish School since 2005. I earned my teaching credential and M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. I believe that teaching is developing life-long learners and each child can learn to his or her fullest potential. My husband and I have been parishioners at St. I for over 10 years. Our son began his Catholic education here at St. I in Kindergarten. Over the years I have watched him grow spiritually and academically. We also have a daughter who will in a few years attend St. I like her big brother. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the beach, and watching movies.
Mrs. Beth Yakel – 2nd Grade
I am very excited to be part of the St. Irenaeus faculty. I was given the opportunity to experience Catholic education throughout my schooling and know the value it carries. Being able to share my faith with my students is a great privilege. I received my undergraduate degree from Mt. St. Mary’ College. I have a Professional Clear Multiple Subject Credential with CLAD certification as well as a Master’s Degree in Cross Cultural Education. When I am not busy at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, and reading. Teaching students to learn is truly my passion, and I have been blessed to be part of this profession for over the past two decades.
Mrs. Leslie Wintheiser – 3rd Grade
My name is Leslie Wintheiser. I have been teaching for seven years at St. Irenaeus Parish School. The reason I chose teaching as a profession was because I wanted to teach children that they could do anything they wanted, if they set their mind to it. I graduated from California State University, Fullerton and later received my teaching credential from National University. I have been married for 27 years and have two children, Matthew and Lauren. Matt is a teacher in Boston. Lauren is a Senior at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana. When I am not teaching, I enjoy scrapbooking, reading, walking my dog, and playing with my cat, Cooper.
Mrs. Mary Ann May – 3rd Grade
I have a long history with St. Irenaeus School. I am an alumna of the school and my daughter is in 5th grade this year. I. My son graduated from St. Irenaeus in 2011 and is currently attending Servite High School. My family also attends St. Irenaeus Parish. After twelve years of Catholic education, I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Irvine and earned my teaching credential through California State University, Long Beach. I have been teaching here since 2006 and enjoy being part of the St. Irenaeus family.
Ms. Teresa Vidergar – 4th Grade
I have a B.M. (from CSUF) and an M.M. (from the Eastman School of Music, N.Y.) and a Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (from Univ. of Phoenix). I have taught the piano and performed for 33 years. In addition I have taught Elementary school in the Anaheim City School district, then with the Diocese of Orange at St. Irenaeus Parish School. I continue to go to seminars and training for Elementary School teaching to learn the latest information in teaching. I am interested in teaching to the whole student as well as utilizing different teaching styles to meet the needs of the individual students and help them be successful.
Ms. Laura Greene – 4th Grade
My name is Laura Greene, and I am committed to Catholic Education. I went to Catholic School from 1st thru 12th grade and graduated from St. Joseph High School in Lakewood, California. I continued my education at Cal State University, Long Beach where I graduated with a BS in Business Administration. I returned to Cal State Long Beach years later to earn a Cleared California Teaching Credential. I have been teaching at St. Irenaeus for seven years and am currently teaching 4th grade. Two of my three children are graduates of St. Irenaeus, and my youngest daughter is in 8th grade and will be graduating this school year. Each of them began at St. Irenaeus in Kindergarten in Mrs. Parsons’ class. My daughter and son are continuing their Catholic education at St. Joseph and St. John Bosco high schools. My family and I are active parishioners at St. Irenaeus Parish. I enjoy teaching my students and watching them grow academically and in their faith. When I am not at school, I love to run, watch my kids play sports, and root for the LA Dodgers.
Mrs. Ellen Viau – 5th Grade
I joined the faculty of St. I in the fall of 2002. All my teaching experience is in Catholic schools. I have taught first through eighth grades, although the bulk of my experience is in the middle grades. I was born and raised in Connecticut. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Eastern Connecticut University, I left Connecticut in search of a teaching position. I presently reside in Garden Grove with my husband, who teaches Religion at Mater Dei High School. I enjoy gardening, reading, and traveling.
Mrs. Cathy Corkhill – 6th Grade
I am pleased to be a part of the St. Irenaeus Parish School faculty. I have 22 years teaching experience in Catholic schools. During the last 16 years at St. Irenaeus I have taught 3rd, 7th, 8th, and currently 6th grade. My education background includes a B.A. from Loyola Marymount University and a California Clear Teaching Credential. I am a member of the National Council of Teachers of English. I have a real sense of identity with St. Irenaeus Parish. My husband and I have been parishioners of St. Irenaeus Church for over 20 years. Both of our children are alumni of the school and are finding success in college and beyond. When I’m away from school I enjoy reading, sports, traveling, spending time with my family, and gardening.
Mrs. Jessica Tarian – 7th Grade
I am the Junior High Mathematics teacher and the 7th grade homeroom teacher. Along with Mathematics, I teach 7th grade Social Studies and Religion. I graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. I received my Master’s Degree in Education from Pepperdine University. In my spare time, I enjoy staying active. My hobbies include running, playing basketball, and watching sports. Currently at St. Irenaeus I am one of the Student Government moderators. My favorite aspect of 7th grade is organizing the 7th grade performance of The Stations of the Cross.
Mrs. Teri Northrop – 8th Grade
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from California State University, Fullerton and a Master’s of Education from National University. I have 15 years teaching experience in Catholic education here at St. Irenaeus Parish School. I taught 10 years in public education. I was a Child Development Specialist (substitute) at Long Beach City College and a facilitator in the Women’s Center also at Long Beach City College.
Mrs. Natalie Boyle – Technology
My name is Natalie Boyle, and this is my tenth year teaching at Saint Irenaeus. I received my bachelors degree from the University of Notre Dame and my masters degree from Pepperdine University. In my spare time, I enjoy surfing, swimming, running, reading, and spending time with friends and family. I grew up attending Catholic schools and have enjoyed the opportunity to provide this same quality education to my students.
Miss Patricia Bray – Remedial Programs/Art (4-8)
I’m a native Californian, born in the city of Inglewood. I attended St. Eugene’s Elementary School, St. Michael’s High School and Mt. St. Mary’s College. My teaching career began in Los Angeles, but soon took me to the dairy farm area of Cypress. I have seen many changes take place since then. The cows moved out and our current playing fields are no longer filled with mud holes and frogs. I taught fourth and fifth grades for many years then moved on to teach remedial reading, art, and ELL. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy gardening, photography, and traveling.
Mrs. Sally Lynch – Spanish (4-8)
I am originally from Scottsdale, AZ. I earned my BA in Education with a Major in Spanish from Arizona State University. I moved with my husband to San Diego in 1976 and, after receiving my California multiple-subject teaching credential, began teaching in a Catholic school in downtown San Diego. We relocated to Orange County in 1977, and I have been teaching in Catholic schools ever since, save the 7 years I stayed home when my children were small. I have taught all grades except kindergarten, but most of my experience had been in the upper grades. This is my twelfth year teaching at St. Irenaeus School. It truly is a great place to be!
Mrs. Rosalind Rawlings – Physical Education
I received my education at California State University, Long Beach. I began teaching at Saint Irenaeus Parish School in September of 1978. I assisted in the development of the Physical Education curriculum which includes sports fundamentals and participation, physical fitness, sports history, and C.P.R. for the Junior High students. The Student Government of 1978 and I created the first “Field Day”, which is still an annual tradition. My greatest moments of pride have been watching alumni return as educators, coaches, and parents of students at Saint Irenaeus. I regularly attend workshops in the areas of physical education and fitness. I am very blessed to be part of St. Irenaeus Parish School.
Mr. Rodolfo Flores – Physical Education
This is my sixth year as a physical education teacher at St. Irenaeus. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills in Physical Education. I went on to receive my teaching credential from CSUDH as a single subject, physical education teacher. My wife and I have three children, Emilia 5, Aidan 3, and Samantha 2. I plan on continuing my education by becoming a certified CPR instructor and hopefully work toward a degree in the area of physical therapy in the near future.
