We are excited to welcome our new faculty members to our Junior School Community this school year! 

Ann Martino will be joining us as a Senior Pre-Kindergarten teacher. Ann brings a wealth of experience, having served as the former Head of the Lower School at Ellis and as the Director of Beginnings Preschool at Calvary Episcopal. Her most recent role was as a Professional Learning Specialist with Amplify, a Core Knowledge Language Arts program based in Brooklyn, NY. Ann attended Marquette University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Writing. She holds a Master’s of Arts and Teaching Degree from Chatham University. We are excited to have her expertise in early childhood education as part of our team!

Ashley Soboslai will also be joining our Senior Pre-Kindergarten team. Her most recent role has been working at Manchester Academic Charter School as a librarian and first-grade teacher. Ashley has also worked as a Creative Producer for the Disney Team. She holds a Master's Degree in the Art of Teaching from Chatham University. We are looking forward to welcoming Ashley and her creative spirit to the Junior School!

MariKay VanFleet will be joining the Kindergarten team to work alongside Melissa Petitto-Kenny. MariKay was most recently a Second Grade Teacher at the Young Scholars Academy of Greater Allegheny County. She has also worked as a preschool teacher for both the YWCA and L’Asilo by La Scuola d’Italia Galileo Galilei. MariKay holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Chatham University. She is excited for her short commute each day as she is a neighbor to the Junior School!

Louis Pessolano will be joining our fourth-grade team. Louis has extensive experience as a 4th Grade Teacher at Sewickley Academy for 13 years, in addition to his work as a small business owner in the Pittsburgh area. Louis attended the University of Dayton where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh. We are confident that Louis will bring a dynamic and engaging approach to our 4th-grade classroom.

Tricia Simon will be joining us as a PE teacher. With over 20 years of experience in education, Tricia has taught Kindergarten through 4th grade, and also served as a Math and Instructional Coach. Tricia received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Duke University, along with a certificate in Elementary Education. She attended Long Island University to obtain her Master’s Degree in Literacy. We look forward to having Tricia’s coaching experiences enhance our physical education program. 

Amanda Gaydos will be taking on the role of Pre-K to 1st Grade Learning Specialist. Amanda joins us after her role as a Reading Specialist Replacement at Fairview Elementary in Fox Chapel. Amanda holds a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Slippery Rock University. She also holds a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist from the University of Pittsburgh. She has also worked as a Pre-K teacher and will bring her expertise to support our youngest learners.

Chloe Pesicka will be joining the first-grade team as an assistant this year. Chloe comes to us after teaching first grade in Pineville, NC, and we are so excited to have her return to Pittsburgh and share her teaching experience with our students. Chloe has her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Ohio University.

April Davis will step in for maternity leave for Linda Owolabi and teach alongside Sam Frankel in Junior Pre-K.
April is a familiar face at the Junior School, having been a prolific substitute teacher here for several years. She also brings experience as a Kindergarten Assistant and Pre-K teacher and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Point Park University.