Congratulations to Magnificat ’s 2025 Retirees

Joe Hnat

Fine and Performing Arts

Joe Hnat studied art education at Baldwin Wallace University and taught in the Parma City School District before joining Magnificat in 2017 as the technical director in the Performing Arts Department. The pandemic quickly impacted his role, causing him to shift from managing all-school events on the stage to livestreaming Mass from an empty theater. The return to in-person learning and musicals brought back theater production, and he has enjoyed fabricating sets that have become increasingly complex in recent years. In addition to working in the theater, Hnat moderated the Ski Club and taught yearbook and digital production in the Fine Arts Department. He is also a deacon in the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma. Reflecting upon what he liked most about teaching, he shared: “It’s all about the students. It’s so cool to see the students start to understand when we start working on a project—in photography, in clay, in digital media, on the yearbook—and then something clicks!”

Maggie Riley

MCCARTHY ’80

Registrar

After graduating from Magnificat, Maggie Riley McCarthy ’80 studied education with a minor in math at St. Bonaventure University in New York. She began her teaching career at St. James School and Urban Community School before marrying her high school sweetheart and relocating to New York City to teach at The Dalton School. After moving back to Cleveland, she was focused on raising her young children when Sister Mary Pat Cook, HM, called to invite her to interview for a math opening. Over the course of her 26 years at Magnificat, McCarthy taught various algebra courses before taking over the registrar role to manage the school’s complex rotating schedule. Looking back at her education and career, she is particularly grateful for the role of religious sisters in her life, from St. Christopher School to Magnificat to colleagues at St. James. “Their independence and their forethought taught me an awful lot,” she said.

Krista Slife

Social Studies

History teacher Krista Slife dedicated 18 years of her career to Magnificat, having helped expand the school’s offerings in social studies and entrepreneurship over the course of her tenure. A graduate of Notre Dame College, she joined Magnificat’s Social Studies Department in 1997 and taught Honors World History, Government, and Economics before taking a break to raise her two children. During that time she earned a master’s degree in the art of teaching from Mary Grove College, and after her return to Magnificat in 2010, she taught AP World History, US History, and Sociology. She was the moderator of the Business Club, wrote the school’s grant proposal to the Veale Foundation for financial and logistical support, and led the popular Lemonade Day Camp for grade school girls during the summer. Looking back at her time teaching, she said, “The teachers were always friendly and very professionally dedicated to working together and collaborating together to help the students.”

SISTER HELEN JEAN NOVY, HM

Vice President of Mission Emerita Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM, who along with her 50 years of service to Magnificat were featured in the last issue of Magnificat Magazine, retired in June. Thank you everyone who sent in “Selfies with Sister,” a few of which are shared here!