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Dr. Nugent

Principal

Since 1993, Dr. Nugent has overseen the daily operation of St. Hilary School. In her role as principal, she has had the opportunity to impact the lives of literally thousands of students and their families, and to work with some of the area’s finest educators. Under her leadership, the school has doubled in size.

“I love being principal at St. Hilary,” Dr. Nugent says. “The students are eager to learn, the parents have high expectations and are supportive, and the faculty is professional, caring and committed to Catholic education.”

Dr. Nugent previously served as principal at a school in the Youngstown diocese, and was a teacher for ten years prior to that. In addition to her administrative position at St. Hilary, she is an adjunct professor at Ursuline College where she teaches various courses in education and administration. Dr. Nugent is a frequent presenter on education- and administration-related topics, and has authored several professional publications.

A graduate of Miami University, Ursuline College and the University of Akron, Dr. Nugent holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, a master of arts in educational administration, and a doctor of education in educational administration. She enjoys golf, traveling, reading, and hiking.

Mrs. Alestock

Assistant Principal

For over 20 years, Mrs. Alestock has been working with St. Hilary School students as a teacher and principal. Since 1986, she estimates that she has touched the lives of over 1,000 St. Hilary graduates. Having previously taught seventh and eighth grade, as well as fifth grade advanced math, Mrs. Alestock has served as the school’s assistant principal for the past ten years.

Mrs. Alestock is very visible in the halls of the school. She tries to get to know each student and family, and likes to make every child feel important by learning something about him or her.

The strong, solid curriculum is just one of the things Mrs. Alestock believes sets St. Hilary apart from other schools. She adds that teachers go out of their way to find meaningful extracurricular activities in which to engage their students. “We strive to offer clubs, contests and field trips, as well as to bring in guest speakers, in order to ensure that education is more than just reading from a book,” says Mrs. Alestock.

A graduate of Kent State University and Ursuline College, Mrs. Alestock holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, a master of education degree in educational administration, and administrative licensure. Her two children attend Catholic schools, and she and her husband enjoy attending their children’s sporting events. In addition to involvement in her parish, Mrs. Alestock loves reading and walking, as well as vacationing with her family in South Carolina.

Mrs. Archual
Kindergarten Teacher

“I always wanted to become a teacher,” says St. Hilary School Kindergarten Teacher, Mrs. Archual.  “In fact, one of my favorite childhood memories is when my sister and I played school - and I was always the teacher”.  Mrs. Archual enjoys being able to express herself creatively through her teaching.  One way she does this is by incorporating hands-on activities and art-based lessons into the daily curriculum.  “Children are naturally very creative and imaginative,” she says.  “It makes planning lessons gratifying knowing the joy it will bring to my students”.   Mrs. Archual especially enjoys planning lessons that connect throughout the various subject areas, making the learning experience more meaningful to the students.   

Watching her students as they develop friendships with one another is a special joy for Mrs. Archual.   She says it is very rewarding to help foster the spirit of community that develops in the classroom as the school year progresses.  Mrs. Archual also enjoys learning about her students and their families through the adventures of the class mascot, Kinderbear, as he spends time with each kindergartener.   

Mrs. Archual most enjoys teaching reading to her students.  An avid reader herself, Mrs. Archual hopes to pass her love of reading on to her students.  She says it is exciting to watch her students as they emerge as developing readers.  Teaching religion and sharing the Catholic faith through daily lessons and prayer is also important to Mrs. Archual.

The professionalism and enthusiasm of the staff members at St. Hilary make it a special place in the eyes of Mrs. Archual.  She says she is honored to be working with so many dedicated professionals who love children and want to provide a well-rounded learning experience. 

A product of Catholic education, Mrs. Archual holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Walsh University, as well as a reading endorsement for grades K – 12.  Married for nearly 25 years, Mrs. Archual and her husband have three sons: a college senior, a college sophomore and an eighth grader.  Two dogs are also part of Mrs. Archual’s family.  She enjoys reading, gardening and cooking.

Mrs. Piekarski

Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Piekarski began her St. Hilary School teaching career in 1986. Since then, she has touched the lives of hundreds of young students. She loves teaching kindergarten because of the enthusiasm of the children. “They are so positive,” she says. “They just make you feel good.” She describes her young charges as being “like sponges”, and enjoys the fact that she can help them absorb everything they need to get off to a good start not only in school, but in life. “I love my job,” she says.

Compared to other schools, St. Hilary is blessed with an abundance of kids whose parents are actively involved and truly care about instilling strong values in their children, according to Mrs. Piekarski. Teaching these students is a joy, she says. “We also have many gifted and talented kids here,” she says, which allows her to make great use of creativity in her classroom.

Many characteristics of the St. Hilary educational experience set it apart from that offered at other schools, says Mrs. Piekarski. She feels the infusion of religion and good values into everything the children do is incredibly important, as are the high expectations and dedication of both students and teachers. “The kids here are all hard workers,” she says, “and the teachers tend not to take much time off. Everyone here has a really strong work ethic.” The availability of varied activities that appeal to many talents rounds out the package.

Mrs. Piekarski loves to instill in her students a strong self-concept. “I love to help them understand that they can do anything - that they are all good at something,” she says. One exercise that reinforces this, as well as the concepts of nurturing and giving, is the growth of spider plants throughout the school year. Mrs. Piekarski’s former students who have moved on to junior high level grades bring her spiderlings from the plants they grew while in her class. She uses these to begin the process anew each year, and students have a hand in planting and nurturing the spiderlings to grow what become mature plants by the end of the school year.

Each year, kindergarten students learn their way around the school by following a gingerbread man, in an extension of the popular children’s story. As the gingerbread man sneaks off to different places in the school, the children must find him and, in so doing, meet people and learn about their surroundings. This is one of Mrs. Piekarski’s favorite parts of each school year. She adds that watching the joy her students have sharing their weekends with the class mascot, Kinderbear, is also great fun.

Growing up as one of ten children, Mrs. Piekarski says she was always “in charge” of her younger siblings, so becoming a kindergarten teacher was a natural progression for her. A graduate of the University of Akron, Mrs. Piekarski holds a bachelor of science degree in education (K-8), a master of science degree plus 18 hours in supervision, permanent K-8 certification, computer science certification, and basic religion certification. She loves St. Hilary School and is proud that her two daughters attended the school during their elementary years. Mrs. Piekarski enjoys sewing, reading, gardening, working out, and traveling with her husband of 35 years.

Mrs. Crow

Second Grade Teacher

Twenty years of teaching second grade at St. Hilary have not diminished Mrs. Crow’s enthusiasm for helping students learn. In fact, she is just as excited today as she was in 1986 about guiding children in their discovery of new things.

In Mrs. Crow’s classroom, learning is made fun through the use of games and other tools. English lessons might be reinforced through a game of “Win, Lose or Draw”, or possibly by using a computer program targeted at a particular math concept. Mrs. Crow’s students might also find themselves involved in a detective story designed to help them learn about nouns. “I like to work things other than paperwork into my lessons,” she says.

One tool Mrs. Crow particularly enjoys using with her students is the school’s mobile laptop lab. She uses the laptops for math and reading, as well as to teach nutrition and study the food guide pyramid. While learning about animals, students may view live webcam shots of the species they are studying. The laptops also prove useful in social studies lessons, where students use a 50 states website to hone their note taking, information gathering and computer usage skills.

A highlight of the second grade year is the “state lunch”, at which students are treated to pasta in the shape of the state of Ohio. For dessert, the students enjoy state-themed cookies they bake in the school kitchen with help from parent volunteers.

Mrs. Crow especially enjoys teaching reading to her students. She likes reading to them in class, and helping them to sharpen their skills as independent readers.

Each year, Mrs. Crow’s most memorable experience is assisting her students as they prepare for their first communion, and then being with them as they actually receive the sacrament. “The students really get excited,” she says. “There is such anticipation as we work together to prepare for this special day.” Mrs. Crow feels the overall Christian environment of St. Hilary School makes it a special place for children to experience their elementary school years.

A graduate of Kent State University, Mrs. Crow holds a bachelor of science degree in education. She enjoys gardening, reading and crafts.

Mrs. Kelly

Second Grade Teacher

St. Hilary School second grade teacher Mrs. Kelly truly enjoys her students’ excitement about learning. “The children are really enjoyable,” she says. Mrs. Kelly has been a member of the St. Hilary faculty since 1996.

Mrs. Kelly appreciates the fact that her students are well behaved and have a great deal of support from home. She says this allows her to do more with her students than she could otherwise do, especially knowing that what is taught at school is reinforced at home. Mrs. Kelly feels the support of parents, both at school and at home, makes her job easier.

Particularly fond of teaching math and reading, Mrs. Kelly says it is gratifying to see students who have had difficulty with reading come to grasp the concept. “It is like a light bulb goes on,” she says. Mrs. Kelly also likes the fact that religion is incorporated into the school’s curriculum, which allows her to have honest faith-based discussions with her students.

A graduate of Mount Union College and the University of Akron, Mrs. Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and Pre-K certification. Married with two children, she is a sports fan and especially enjoys supporting the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mrs. Klenotic

Second Grade Teacher

Since 1986, St. Hilary School second grade teacher Mrs. Klenotic has enjoyed watching her students' enthusiasm "light up" when they are able to achieve something. The variety of students she works with each year adds to her enjoyment of teaching. While she delights in the time she spends with her students each year, Mrs. Klenotic says she also enjoys watching them grow and mature in the following years. "At graduation, it is a true pleasure to witness what young ladies and gentlemen the eighth graders have become," she says.

Mrs. Klenotic says she most enjoys teaching at St. Hilary because of the role she plays in guiding the faith journey of each of her students. "I enjoy preparing students for reconciliation and first communion," she says. "I have the opportunity to celebrate the Last Supper with the breaking of the bread on Holy Thursday with the children in my class each year."

She also credits working with the faculty, especially her long-time second grade counterpart teachers, with making her work at St. Hilary a joy. She says that working with the other second grade teachers over a long period of time has allowed for a wealth of idea and strategy sharing.

Many special events and activities help Mrs. Klenotic's students fully absorb the material they are learning. Students enjoy celebrating "colonial day", on which they make butter, pottery and candles. She says students learn about Ohio in class, and then expand their learning by researching other states while learning to write reports. Mrs. Klenotic says one of the favorite activities comes at the end of the school year, when students make cookies in the shapes of Ohio and its state bird, the cardinal, which they enjoy at a state-themed pasta celebration.

Mrs. Klenotic believes the more demanding curriculum offered by St. Hilary differentiates it from other schools. "We encourage our students to surpass the statndards for the state of Ohio," she says. "The level of expectation is set much higher." She adds that parents are responsive and helpful in working together with faculty and students to meet the school's higher standards.

A product of Catholic education from elementary school through college, Mrs. Klenotic has taught only in Catholic schools. "I love my religion and truly feel blessed to be here at St. Hilary," she says. She has been married for 34 years and has three children. Mrs. Klenotic enjoys fishing in the summer, and visiting with her four sisters. Mrs. Klenotic holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the College of Mount Saint Joseph.

Mr. Manno

Third Grade Teacher

The ability to be a positive role model in the educational process is what St. Hilary School third grade teacher Mr. Manno most enjoys about teaching. He feels it is important to treat his students with respect, and to make their learning experience fun and enjoyable. He relies on his sense of humor to make his students feel comfortable. In addition to teaching third grade homeroom subjects, Mr. Manno teaches third grade math.

Mr. Manno appreciates the high level of support he receives from his students’ families. He takes pride in being an effective communicator with students and parents alike. A product of Catholic schools, and a firm believer in Catholic education, Mr. Manno feels St. Hilary students are at a definite advantage. He notes that the school’s high standards, as well as continuity in the teaching staff, are important factors in the success of St. Hilary students.

Each year, Mr. Manno particularly enjoys seeing his former third grade students graduate as eighth graders. He says his students still remember things he taught them, and he can recall watching their eyes light up with excitement as they would grasp a new concept.

A graduate of the University of Akron, Mr. Manno holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (grades 1-8), with a minor in early childhood education. Married for over 20 years, he has two children. One attends Catholic high school, and the other is in college. Mr. Manno has an affinity for music, and has been a keyboard player for 40 years. He also enjoys woodworking and building furniture.

Mrs. Starkey

Third Grade Teacher

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” says Mrs. Starkey about her job teaching St. Hilary School third graders. A faculty member since 1992, Mrs. Starkey says working with young children is enjoyable because “they are so much fun. They make you forget any problems you may have for the moment.” She says it is also rewarding to see students grow, and notes that her first class of students is in high school now.

Mrs. Starkey enjoys being part of her students’ lives, celebrating their milestones, and hearing the stories they love to tell. “I like to be personal with them. They know I have a first name and a family, and that helps them to see me as a real person,” she says. In addition to teaching third grade homeroom subjects, Mrs. Starkey teaches third grade reading, which she particularly enjoys. She says she especially likes reading to her students.

“This is a nice community to teach in,” says Mrs. Starkey of the level of support provided by parents and teachers. “Everyone is very involved here,” she says. She also feels the many opportunities St. Hilary students have, through special classes and extracurricular activities, add to the richness of their educational experience. “Kids here are really busy,” she says. “They are open to new things, and enjoy doing many different activities.” Mrs. Starkey adds that St. Hilary students have available to them many services to which students in other schools do not have access.

One of Mrs. Starkey’s favorite things about working with St. Hilary students has been her role as a student council advisor. She finds it gratifying to see what kids can accomplish, and enjoys watching them touch their community.

Married with three children, one of whom attends St. Hilary, Mrs. Starkey enjoys playing golf, swimming, watching baseball, and spending time with her family. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (K-8) from Kent State University.

Mrs. Zolton
Third Grade Teacher

Mrs. Zolton has been a teacher at St. Hilary School since 1992.  She loves working with students because their enthusiasm is exciting, and their varied personalities make each class unique.  She finds her students willing to learn, which makes her job as a teacher even more enjoyable.  An educator for 24 years, Mrs. Zolton has also taught fifth grade.

In addition to teaching third grade homeroom subjects, Mrs. Zolton teaches English.  She notes that the study of English is “like working a puzzle.”  Mrs. Zolton maintains what she calls an “open classroom”, in which students participate in readying the room for class each day.  Through their active roles in the classroom family, students develop both a sense of belonging and a sense of responsibility.

The feeling of community is what Mrs. Zolton believes makes St. Hilary special among elementary schools.  “There is a real sense of unity we all share.  We are a church and school family,” she says.  Mrs. Zolton adds that the offering of religious instruction at St. Hilary is a defining characteristic of the school.

A graduate of the University of Akron, Mrs. Zolton holds a bachelor of science degree in education.  She is proud that her own children attended St. Hilary well before she began teaching here, and notes that it was the school that drew her family to join the parish.  Mrs. Zolton enjoys reading, family activities, and being outdoors among her flowers in the summer.

Mrs. Fickes
Third Grade Teaching Assistant  
 

Starting the day with a smile and a prayer and letting God do the rest is how St. Hilary School third grade teaching assistant Mrs. Fickes approaches each day.  “I try to lift the children up daily in my prayers.  When I work with a child, I want them to know they are unique, treasured and loved,” she says.

Mrs. Fickes especially enjoys working with students who have special needs.  She says she is continually amazed at the many gifts that God shares with us through His blessed children.  “To learn as much as you teach every day is truly a gift,” she says.

A product of Catholic education through high school, Mrs. Fickes finds being able to pray at school a true blessing.  She says it is wonderful to work in a place “where, at least a half dozen times a day, everyone stops what they are doing to offer time to the Lord and pray together.”

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Mrs. Fickes holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing and management.  She shares her faith by teaching in the St. Hilary Parish School of Religion (PSR) program and has completed courses to become certified as a Catechist in the Catholic Church.  Mrs. Fickes enjoys Bible study, playing volleyball, hiking, beading, and scrapbooking.

Mrs. Cooper

Fourth Grade Teacher

Interaction with her students and the anticipation of “something new every day” are what make teaching exciting for fourth grade teacher Mrs. Cooper. A member of the St. Hilary faculty since 2004, she previously taught first and third grades elsewhere. In addition to teaching fourth grade homeroom subjects, Mrs. Cooper teaches reading and social studies.

Her favorite subject to teach is reading, and her love of books frequently leads her to visit the children’s sections of local bookstores. She incorporates fun activities into her reading lessons, such as making T-shirts and having parties that coordinate with the themes of the books students are reading. Even students for whom reading is not a favorite activity can’t help but find themselves enjoying Mrs. Cooper’s reading classes.

Fourth graders study Ohio history and regions, and Mrs. Cooper integrates hands-on activities into her social studies lessons to make them come alive. One activity students enjoy is transforming such simple things as paper towel rolls, rice and beans into “rain sticks” when learning about Native Americans.

Of special significance to Mrs. Cooper is the opportunity to attend Mass weekly with her students. She also enjoys teaching religion, and is impressed by the quietness and attentiveness of her students when she teaches this subject.

Among the things Mrs. Cooper feels set St. Hilary School apart from others is the opportunity for students to attend special classes such as art, enrichment, music, foreign language, and more on a weekly basis. She also says the camaraderie of year-end class picnics, as well as special programs such as the school talent show and spring musical, make the St. Hilary experience special. “Students here have many opportunities that may not be available at other schools,” she says.

Her most memorable moment as a St. Hilary teacher has been attending the school’s annual 8^th grade graduation ceremony. She describes it as a “wow!” event, and looks forward to following each year’s fourth graders through to the completion of their St. Hilary education.

A graduate of Lorain County Community College and Kent State University, Mrs. Cooper holds an associate’s degree in applied business, a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in the art of teaching (elementary education, grades 1-8). In her spare time, Mrs. Cooper enjoys running and listening to books on tape.

Mrs. Herd

Fourth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Herd joined the St. Hilary School faculty in 2000, and has been making a difference in the lives of fourth graders ever since. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious, much to the delight of her students. “It’s fun!” says Mrs. Herd of her job as a fourth grade teacher.

Mrs. Herd incorporates many tools that make her lessons exciting, such as participating in hands-on activities, using white boards, playing games, and more. She has taught all grade levels during her teaching career, and she enjoys teaching every subject. Currently, Mrs. Herd teaches math in addition to her fourth grade homeroom subjects.

The high expectations placed upon students, and the fact that students are held accountable for what they do and fail to do, are among the attributes Mrs. Herd sees as differentiating St. Hilary from other schools. Also important to her are the support of parents and the kindness of her co-workers.

Mrs. Herd enjoys attending weekly Masses with her students. It is important to her that the students in her classroom see themselves as a family. She uses show-and-tell and other techniques to enable her students to share parts of their lives with one another. The importance of each of Mrs. Herd’s students is evident in her philosophy that “the children have to be center-on”.

Class picnics and field trips afford Mrs. Herd time to relax and talk with her students, which helps her build a rapport with each one. She enjoys spending her free time reading and gardening.

Mrs. Kovarik

Fourth Grade Teacher

As a fourth grade teacher at St. Hilary School since 1999, Mrs. Kovarik has enjoyed working with her students because they are eager to learn and to try new things. The excitement of her students for learning is just one reason she says, “Teaching keeps you young!” In addition to teaching fourth grade homeroom subjects, Mrs. Kovarik teaches science and reading.

A self-described “high-energy person”, Mrs. Kovarik characterizes her classroom as high-energy, as well. She is a Harry Potter fan, and her love of the series helps her relate to her students, many of whom also enjoy the books and movies. One of her most memorable moments at St. Hilary was dressing in costume as Harry Potter for the school’s annual Halloween parade.

The many special class offerings at St. Hilary provide diversity that enhances the students’ educational experience, Mrs. Kovarik says. She adds that the involvement of parents also affords St. Hilary a great advantage over other schools.

Mrs. Kovarik most enjoys teaching science and religion, and spent many years as a religious educator and youth minister prior to teaching full time. A graduate of Baldwin Wallace College and John Carroll University, Mrs. Kovarik holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master of arts degree in theology. Her two children attended St. Hilary during their elementary school years, and continued their Catholic education at the high school level. Mrs. Kovarik enjoys musicals and playing flute.

Mrs. Kleinfeld

Fifth Grade Teacher

After teaching children in church at the young age of 13, St. Hilary School fifth grade teacher Mrs. Kleinfeld knew teaching would become her passion.  Now she shares her enthusiasm with students not much younger than she was when she first discovered her love of teaching.  “Every day is a new challenge full of excitement and growth for my students and me,” she says.

In addition to teaching fifth grade homeroom subjects, Mrs. Kleinfeld teaches English and social studies.  She says social studies and, in particular, American history, is her favorite subject to teach.  Students’ experience in her classroom involves a large amount of active participation.  She believes students learn best through presentations, demonstrations and investigations, rather than passively reading textbooks and completing worksheets.

Mrs. Kleinfeld believes the students at St. Hilary are unique in that they come to school ready and eager to learn.  There is a feeling of family at St. Hilary, fostered by the staff working together as a team, she says.

Newly married, Mrs. Kleinfeld enjoys spending time with family and friends.  She particularly enjoys weekends spent boating on Lake Erie, and singing with her mom and brother.  A graduate of the University of Akron, Mrs. Kleinfeld holds a bachelor’s degree in education, with licensure in elementary (1-8) education.  She will receive her master’s degree in December.

Miss Modzelewski
Fifth Grade Teacher