FACULTY

Principal: Mr. Bo Cuprak

Mr. Cuprak is a retired Middle School Principal, having served in the Manchester Public Schools for almost 36 years. He began his career as a Social Studies teacher, served as Department Head, Director of Drama, Assistant Principal and eventually Principal, all at the Middle School level. Upon retirement, he assumed the position of Principal at St. Sebastian School in Middletown, which he held for almost three years until the school closed in June of 2009. He received his Masters and 6th year certificate in Administration and Supervision from CCSU and currently holds certification in Administration and Supervision from the State of Connecticut.

Kindergarten: Miss Anna Pinto

Miss Pinto brings a wealth of experience to our school.  She has been educating children and shaping young lives since 1975.  Miss Pinto received her BA in Elementary education from Emmanuel College and her MA in Education from Central Connecticut State University. She is a member of the NCEA. In her spare time, Miss Pinto volunteers as a Eucharistic Minister at Assumption Parish in Manchester.   

Grade One: COMING SOON

Grade Two: Mrs. Deborah Dombroski

Mrs. Dombroski has taught second grade at Pope John Paul II since 1998. She is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, receiving her BS in elementary education as well as her MS in education.  She has taught in Plainville as well as the City of Bristol.  Mrs. Dombroski is a member of the NCEA and has served on the accreditation committee at Pope John Paul II.  She has also served as a co-advisor to the Student Council and as a Math coordinator at the primary level. Mrs. Dombroski prepares the second grade students to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion each May.

Grade Three: Miss April Stich

Miss Stich has been on the faculty for over 18 years.  She has served as coordinator of the Science program for the primary as well as the middle school classes, and frequently volunteers her time after school. Miss  Stich runs the Science Club and holds a weekly knitting club as well.  She has also been instrumental in designing and sharing information with other educators. She has led professional in-service sessions and served on the Archdiocesan Science Curriculum committee. Miss Stich graduated with a BS in Elementary education from the University of Connecticut and earned her MS in Elementary education from Central Connecticut State. She has previously taught grades 4 through 8, as well as 5th Grade Science and 8th Grade Algebra.

Grade Four: Mrs. Eileen Ericson

Mrs. Ericson comes to Pope John Paul II with her BA degree in English from Mercy College and her MA degree in Education as a Reading Specialist from Manhattan College in New York.  A native New Yorker, Mrs. Ericson brings a great deal of talent and experience to the school. She has taught here for 13 years, and has a total of 26 years experience as a Catholic School educator. She holds permanent teaching certification in the States of CT (N - 8) and NY (N - 6), and is a member of the NCEA. Currently, she is the coordinator of our Six Flags Reading Program, and the co-chairperson of the Campbell's Labels for Education program. 

Grade Five: Mrs. Janet Cunningham

Mrs. Cunningham has almost 29 years of teaching experience, including 2 years in Biddeford, ME Public Schools, 1 year in the New Britain Public Schools and 22 years at St. Joseph School in New Britain. This year marks her 26th year as a teacher for the Archdiocese of Hartford. She received her BS in Elementary Education, her BS in Early Childhood Education and her MS in Special Education from Central Connecticut State University. She holds a Connecticut Professional Teaching Certificate, and is also Certified in Maine. In 2005/2006, Mrs. Cunningham became an honored member of "Who's Who Among American Teachers". She currently runs a Math tutorial program, and is Co-chairperson of the Campbell's Labels for Education program.

Grade Six: Mrs. Anne Wysowski

We are truly fortunate to have Mrs. Wysowski on our faculty at Pope John Paul II.  She comes to us with a BA degree from the University of New Haven and a MA in English Literature from Trinity College.  Mrs. Wysowski serves on the Language Arts curriculum committee for the middle school. Mrs. Wysowski has taught English to international students and college freshmen. She currently teaches Advanced Composition at Manchester Community College.

Grade 7: Mrs. Kathleen Welch

Mrs. Welch attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec Canada and received her BGS from the University of Connecticut.  She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University. She previously taught Fine Arts at Pope John Paul II, and coordinated the library program as well. She also coordinates the Scholastic Book Fairs and the annual KidsArt Fair, and is the faculty advisor for both the Book Club and the Kitchen Club.   We are truly blessed to have Mrs. Welch here at school.

Grade Eight: Ms. Danni Holyst

Miss. Holyst is our Middle School Math and Science teacher.  She has been teaching for the and a half years, and comes to our school with many wonderful talents and experiences that enrich her classroom and lessons. She graduated with a BS in elementary education with a concentration in Math from Central Connecticut State University, and is currently working towards her MA in Secondary Math Education at CCSU.  This past summer, she participated in an enrichment program in Hartford where she provided opportunities for students to experience Math and Science in a hands-on program focused on the Ocean. She is the coordinator for the Math and Science program at Pope John Paul II School, heads our Yearbook club and is the Science Fair Coordinator.  She also coordinates our eighth grade graduation and class night. Recently, she started a Math Club, which provides students with an opportunity to seek extra help with topics that cause difficulty. She is also the high school advisor for our eighth grade class. We are grateful for her talents and skills as a member of the Pope John Paul II School faculty.

Music Education: Mrs. Lorraine Ringwood

Mrs. Ringwood has been teaching music for over 30 years.  She received her BS in Music education from Danbury State College.  Mrs. Ringwood conducts the school choir for First Friday Masses, and leads the Pope John Paul II holiday concerts and the Annual Christmas pageant and Spring concert. She and Miss Stich coordinate the annual PJP2 talent show, and are looking forward to another production of a Dr. Seuss mini musical.

Instrumental Music: Lori Vranes

(Future Musicians, Inc.)

Lori Vranes earned her B.S. degree from Central Connecticut State University in Music Education in 1979.  She continued her education at CCSU studying Special Education and at SCSU studying Therapeutic Recreation.  She also attended Teacher's College/Columbia University where she earned her Master's Degree in Music Therapy and Behavior Analysis.  In addition to teaching Instrumental Music with the FMI program, Lori works with the Department of Developmental Services as a Behavioral Consultant currently working in family homes.  She has also returned to Teacher's College/Columbia University in New York where she is enrolled in the Behavior Analysis/Special Education Department pursuing dual certification for New York State.

Physical Education: Mr. Michael Mercaldi

Mr. Mercaldi is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University where he received his BS degree in Physical education.  He is a member of the Connecticut Coaches Association and currently maintains a Connecticut Coaches certificate. He runs the annual field events at school.

Foreign Language: COMING SOON

Pre-School

Pre-School Coordinator: Mrs. Natalie Klimkiewicz

Mrs. Klimkiewicz has been been the pre-school coordinator since 2002.  Her responsibilities include coordinating the pre-school and extended care programs and setting the pre-school schedules.  In addition to her duties as coordinator, Mrs. Klimkiewicz teaches the Pre-school three year old class. She has served for many years as a Eucharistic Minister and Lay Minister, coordinating and teaching Religious Education (CCD) classes for Holy Cross parish, including the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. She will be teaching the Confirmation classes this year.

Mrs. Dawn Dorsey

Mrs. Dawn Dorsey is one of our pre-school teachers.  With many years of pre-school/kindergarten experience, almost 10 of these years have been at Pope John Paul II.  She obtained her preschool certification from Tunxis Community College. Working with our youngest students is Mrs. Dorsey's specialty.

Mrs. Martina Haynes-Esnard

Mrs. Esnard is also assigned to the four year old program.  She comes to us with an extensive amount of experience teaching four year olds.  She is a native of St. Lucia in the Caribbean, having received her training at Teacher’s College, and Brooklyn College.  Mrs. Esnard also coordinates the technology program in the primary grades.

STAFF

Mrs. Margaret Kalinski, Office Manager

Mrs. Ellen Juliano, Kindergarten Aide

Mrs. Juliano has been a Kindergarten Aide at Pope John Paul II School since 2006. Previously, she served as the Library Aide at St. Gabriel School in Windsor, CT.

Mrs. Elizabeth Lugo, Kindergarten Aide

Mrs. Lugo has been the Kindergarten/Grade 1 Aide at Pope John Paul II School since 2007. She earned her BS and MS from Western New England College in MA, and has previously taught fourth grade at St. Gabriel School in Windsor, CT.

Mrs. Habib Mumtajkera, Pre-School Aide