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WE ARE GRATEFUL
For Our New Faculty And Staff
Recruiting and retaining the very best in faculty and staff is on the very top of our priority list and we are so thankful for the new faces we see on campus.
This year we welcomed 17 new staff to the Cardinal Newman team. Join us in welcoming them!
TROY COX AR / AP Specialist
Mr. Cox was raised Catholic and attended St. Agnes Church in Concord. “I grew up in a family that believed in volunteering and I would assist along with my parents in youth sports, bake sales, and potlucks.” After graduating from San Diego State 1997 with a degree in Kinesiology and Athletics Management he was hired by Stanford Athletics as an Event Manager. He has more than 20 years accounting experience and is the proud father of a 16 year old girl who loves science and taekwondo.
Sr. MARGARET MARY Teacher, Theology
Sr. Margaret Mary is a Marian Sister of Santa Rosa, a Community of Sisters dedicated to sharing Jesus Christ with all and joyfully communicating the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Catholic Faith. She has been teaching for 5 years and has taught all ages, from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Sr. Margaret grew up here Santa Rosa and keeps very busy at the convent with prayer, sewing, and spending time with her Sisters.
RUBEN ESCAMILLA
Math: Geometry and Algebra 1
Mr. Escamilla has been teaching since 1999 and received a BA in mathematics from Sonoma State University. He grew up in Tulare, CA and came to Newman because of the small school community setting and the low teacher to student ratio. “I’m excited to get to know the Newman staff and students.” He enjoys taking long walks with his dog to clear his head after a good day of work.
CINDY MOGANNAM Teacher, French
Ms. Mogannam was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon where she learned French in school as a third language, after English and Arabic. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from UC Davis and a master’s degree in Public Health from UCLA. In 2017, she completed a bachelor’s degree in French from Sonoma State University and hopes to instill in her students that same love for the language and an appreciation of French and Francophone cultures. Her husband is a CN alumni and her son just started as a Freshman at Newman.
ANGELA LUCERO Senior Accountant
Ms. Lucero was born in Chico, CA and graduated from Chico High where she played softball and volleyball during high school. After graduating she moved to the Bay Area, found work as a bookkeeper and built a small film production company while completing college. She loves living in Sonoma and works as part of the Finance Office at Cardinal Newman.
TERESA MUIR-SMALL Temporary Teacher, Theology
This is Ms. Muir-Small’s first year teaching a high school class. She has previously taught adult faith formation classes and weekly catechism classes (grades 3-8). She studied cultural anthropology at Santa Clara University and received her master’s degrees in philosophy and theology from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. She loves buying books (science fiction and cookbooks) and cooking international dishes.
BETHANY NEESE Teacher, Theology
Ms. Neese has been teaching in Sonoma County for 21 years. She is a classical singer and pianist and is currently finishing her Doctorate in Education (EdD) from Grand Canyon University. Since coming to Newman she has enjoyed getting to know the staff and students. “Because I only teach seniors, it has been a joy getting to know this wonderful class.” She has a daughter who is an EMT, pursuing the nursing field, and a son in a mechanical engineering program in college. “They inspire me daily and are the joy of my life!’
VERNON SMITH Teacher, Physical Education
This is Mr. Smith’s first year teaching high school level courses. He is a physical education teacher, the Defensive coordinator for our football team and assists in athletic advising. He came to Newman specifically to be a part of the community and the football program. He is from San Diego, CA and likes to spend time with family.
CHRISTINA NICHOL English Teacher
Ms. Nichol grew up in Northern California and went to Ursuline as a freshman. After attending the University of Oregon and the University of Florida she spent 15 years teaching both locally and internationally. “I’ve been teaching abroad but California keeps pulling me back. I want to be with young people now because they are our future.” In her spare time she loves writing, reading, cooking and hiking.
ARIE SEARCY Temporary Teacher, Human Performance
Ms. Searcy graduated from Cardinal Newman in 2018 and went to Regis College in Massachusetts where she studied Exercise Science and Nutrition and played basketball. She graduated this past May and this is her first year teaching. In addition to teaching she is also the assistant coach for the girl’s basketball team. “It has been such an insightful experience to re-enter this community in a new role. I am thankful to have the opportunity to stand as a role model for what it is like to be a Newman alum.”
JOSEPH TIERNAN Teacher, Social Studies
Mr. Tiernan is originally from Windsor where he grew up on a farm raising mainly sheep while being active in the community through his faith and service to others. He is a Newman alumnus (Class of 2011) and was active in sports on campus. For the past 11 years he’s been a Newman wrestling coach. He recently obtained an MA in Education at the University of San Francisco and enjoys being active along with reading, sports, watching movies, learning new things and exploring new places to travel.
SUSAN MILLER Teacher, Theology
Ms. Miller is teaching Christian Morality and Catholic Social Teaching in the Theology Department to the Juniors at Newman. “The students are full of energy and are kind and helpful to me. They are learning about the virtues, being made in the Imago Dei or the Image and likeness of God, and other important concepts that will help them not only in high school but throughout their lives.”
MARYANNE
BERRY Director of Curriculum and Instruction and English Department
Ms. Berry has returned to Newman to join the administrative team as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and to teach AP Literature as well as AP Research. She is a lifelong learner and has been taking college classes since graduating with her first degree in 1977. In 2010 earned her doctoral degree in Education at UC Berkeley.
MARIA FALCON (LUZ)
Ms. Falcon is part of the facilities team and helps to keep our grounds clean. She has been at Newman for almost a year and enjoys the people and working at the school.
