4
ACADEMICS
New
Faculty and Staff
On opening day,
we welcomed many new faces: freshmen,
transfer students, international students, and several new faculty and staff members to the team. A warm welcome to all who have joined our learning community!
Mrs. Lori Fenton
Mrs. Wendy Harrington
is a welcomed addition to the front office staff as our new administrative assistant for student services. Prior to joining Pope Francis, she served as an assistant to the dean of the business school at a local university where she brought over 18 years experience as a legal assistant. Mrs. Fenton is a graduate of Southwick High School, Southwick, MA and Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA where she earned an associate degree in business. She resides in Feeding Hills with her husband, Tom. They have two children, Colin CHS ’10 and Jenna.
joins the Pope Francis Prep team as our marketing and social media manager. With a B.A. from California State University, Fullerton, a background in education, and a passion for photography and design, Wendy is a perfect fit for this part-time role. Wendy is married to our head of school, Dr. Paul Harrington, and they have a five-year-old daughter, Grace, and a cocker spaniel mix named Simba. When not on campus capturing “a day in the life” Wendy enjoys cooking, gardening, volunteering at Grace’s school, and visiting family and friends in California.
Mr. Kevin Kopec
Ms. Susanne Markus
is a familiar face at Pope Francis. Having served as a substitute teacher at our school in the past, we are pleased that he is able to join our math department full-time this year. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and biology from American International College, Mr. Kopec began a career in the biotech field learning new techniques in biological research and mathematical analysis of experimental designs. He shifted his career focus to include teaching after completing an immersion Master of education program at the University of Massachusetts. He has since completed postgraduate coursework in mathematics extension from Lesley College and in physics from American International College. Prior to joining Pope Francis Prep, Mr. Kopec taught math and robotics within the Springfield public school district and as an adjunct professor for American International College.
joined Pope Francis Preparatory School as a French teacher in August 2018. She holds a B.A. degree in French and Education from Wells College, Aurora, NY. She spent one year of her four years at Wells College at the l’Université de Strasbourg, in Strasbourg, France. After her studies at Wells College, Ms. Markus completed graduate work at S.U.N.Y. Albany in French literature, and she obtained a teaching certificate from the state of New York. In addition, she holds certification from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and she obtained certification for Spanish at Elms College, Chicopee, MA. Her teaching career encompasses having taught French and Spanish for 20 years at Ludlow High School, Ludlow, MA. Ms. Markus is multi-lingual, speaking not only French and Spanish but also her native Hungarian and a basic level of German. In addition, she has traveled and lived abroad in Europe for extended periods. She looks forward to share her enthusiasm for foreign languages with her new students at Pope Francis Preparatory School.
