Welcoming Faculty and Staff for the 2025–2026 School Year
The halls of Notre Dame Preparatory School were once again filled with excitement on Monday, August 18, as we officially welcomed faculty and staff back to campus to begin the 2025–2026 academic year. The day commenced with a cherished tradition, the annual Opening Faculty and Staff Liturgy, celebrated by Fr. Ray Chase, to bless the year ahead. Following Mass, the school community was delighted to meet and welcome the newest members of its dedicated faculty and staff. Read more about the newest members of our community below.
Gail Adams
Gail Adams
Senior Accountant
Gail grew up right here in the Baltimore area and went to Garrison Forest School, followed by the University of Delaware. She has worked in finance for both non-profit and for-profit organizations over the past 28 years.
Angela Allen, Ed.D.
Head of School
Angela Allen, Ed.D.
Head of School
Dr. Allen officially assumed the role of Head of School at Notre Dame Preparatory School on July 1, 2025, becoming the first lay leader in the school’s 152-year history. Selected after a national search, Dr. Allen brings a deep passion for Catholic education and a proven track record of educational leadership. Most recently serving as Associate Head of School at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, South Carolina, Dr. Allen previously held the role of Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Richmond. Her early career included leadership positions in both public and Catholic schools in Virginia, where she served as principal and assistant principal in Hanover and Henrico counties. Read more about Dr. Allen on our Meet the Head of School page.
Hannah Barber
Middle Level Religion Teacher
Hannah Barber grew up in Maryland and received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Mount St. Mary’s University, where she also studied philosophy, history, and business. After college she worked for the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, serving as the Worship and Retreats Coordinator. During this time, she began her Master of Arts program at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. She earned her Master of Arts in Moral Theology in the summer of 2025. Last year, after being hired as a campus minister, she jumped in as a long-term substitute religion teacher. This experience showed her that she has a strong calling to be a religion teacher.
Hannah Barber
Middle Level Religion Teacher
Hannah Barber grew up in Maryland and received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Mount St. Mary’s University, where she also studied philosophy, history, and business. After college she worked for the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, serving as the Worship and Retreats Coordinator. During this time, she began her Master of Arts program at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. She earned her Master of Arts in Moral Theology in the summer of 2025. Last year, after being hired as a campus minister, she jumped in as a long-term substitute religion teacher. This experience showed her that she has a strong calling to be a religion teacher.
Maggie Burros
Middle Level School Counselor
Maggie was born in Chicago and moved to southwest Virginia when she was in the 5th grade. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminology/Law Studies from Marquette University and Master of Education from Loyola University Maryland. Since graduating, she has worked in the Maryland Public School System in Charles County and Baltimore County.
Jackie Baird Donoghue '16
Gretchen Carroll
Annual Fund & Stewardship Coordinator
Gretchen officially joined the Advancement team in October of 2024 and loves being part of the NDP community! She grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master’s in Education in School Counseling from Loyola University Maryland. She spent several years as a school counselor in the Montgomery County Public School system in Maryland before shifting her focus to volunteer leadership. For nearly a decade, Gretchen has been an active volunteer at the St. Paul’s Schools, where she served in a variety of leadership roles including Parent Association President, Vice President, and as a member of the Board of Trustees. She has a genuine love for working and volunteering in school communities, where she enjoys connection, collaboration, and school spirit.
Isaiah Cunningham-Pemberton
Senior Help Desk Technician
Isaiah Cunningham-Pemberton is an IT professional with a master’s degree in Computer Science and extensive experience in technical support and systems management. Originally from Connecticut, he now serves as the Senior Help Desk Technician at Notre Dame Prep School, where he ensures seamless technology operations for faculty, staff, and students. Known for his problem-solving mindset and approachable nature, Isaiah strives to make technology accessible and user-friendly for everyone.
Jamie Doehne
Upper Level College Counselor
Jamie is joining the team as the new college counselor. She is a native Floridian and a proud mom of three. Before stepping away to raise her children and dive into the world of volunteering, she worked as a school counselor in Charlotte, North Carolina. Now, she is excited to be back in the field she loves, helping students navigate their paths to college and beyond.
Isaiah Cunningham-Pemberton
Senior Help Desk Technician
Isaiah Cunningham-Pemberton is an IT professional with a master’s degree in Computer Science and extensive experience in technical support and systems management. Originally from Connecticut, he now serves as the Senior Help Desk Technician at Notre Dame Prep School, where he ensures seamless technology operations for faculty, staff, and students. Known for his problem-solving mindset and approachable nature, Isaiah strives to make technology accessible and user-friendly for everyone.
Jamie Doehne
Upper Level College Counselor
Jamie is joining the team as the new college counselor. She is a native Floridian and a proud mom of three. Before stepping away to raise her children and dive into the world of volunteering, she worked as a school counselor in Charlotte, North Carolina. Now, she is excited to be back in the field she loves, helping students navigate their paths to college and beyond.
Jackie Baird Donoghue '16
Social Media Manager
Jackie is the Social Media Manager at Notre Dame Prep, where she combines creativity and strategy to share the school’s story. As a documentary photographer, she is passionate about capturing authentic moments that inspire connection and curiosity. An NDP legacy and proud member of the Class of 2016, Jackie brings a deep love for the community and its traditions to everything she creates.
Manrique Garay
Security Guard
Manrique, also known as Rico, grew up in Maryland and studied Cyber Security in Howard Community College. After college, he briefly worked in the medical supplies industry before joining his father as a Security Officer. With over 10 years of experience in security, Rico has mastered the art of keeping people and places safe. He has worked for Loyola Blakefield high school for seven of those years. He is known for his sharp attention to detail and calm demeanor under pressure, he takes pride in protecting both property and people, which will serve NDP well as Rico will be joining our security team.
Julia Habiger '17
Upper Level English Teacher
Julia graduated from NDP in 2017 and received her Bachelor of Arts in English and economics from Washington and Lee University in 2021. For two years following her undergraduate studies, she worked as a government consultant in Washington, D.C. before deciding that it was time for a career change. With a one-way plane ticket to Madrid and a backpack from Facebook marketplace, Julia hiked the Camino de Santiago in an effort to discern which path to take next. After a month of walking through its charming towns and countryside, she was head-over-heels in love with Spain and already researching ways to return. Julia spent the last year as a high school English instructor in Almería, Spain, and discovered something that she enjoyed even more than churros, siestas, or café con leche: teaching. She is excited to return to her NDP roots this year and feels lucky to come back to a community that has shaped her in so many ways.
Carrie Johnson
Director of STEAM
Carrie Johnson grew up in Boston and received her BA in Broadcast Journalism from Emerson College. She spent 11 years working in New York City as a television producer, most notably covering the Athens Summer Olympics in 2004 for ESPN. She made a career change in 2007, moving back to Boston to attend Lesley University, earning her master's in education. Carrie’s focus was technology education, and she has spent the last 16 years as a K-12 technology, STEM, and Computer Science teacher. After 12 years teaching at Gill St. Bernard's in New Jersey, Carrie and her husband Jeff moved to Maryland. For the last three years, Carrie was at St. Paul’s School for Girls teaching AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, 5/6 Innovation classes, and the 9th and 10th grade Computer Science Fundamentals classes. She has also coached robotics for many years. Carrie will be our STEAM director and Innovation Department Chair, along with teaching an 8th grade IDT class.
Renee Koplon
Upper Level Mathematics Teacher
Originally from New York, Renee Koplon earned her Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Rutgers University. She brings with her over 30 years of teaching experience, including five years at the college level and 26 years in high schools. For the past nine years, she was at the Beth Tfiloh School right here in Baltimore. Renee is excited to join the NDP community and looks forward to sharing her passion for mathematics with our Upper Level students!
Sarah LaValley
Counseling Department Administration Assistant
Sarah LaValley who will serve as the administrative assistant in counseling, was raised in Syracuse, New York, before relocating to Maryland, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Towson University. Following graduation, she began her career as a recruiter and has spent the past two years serving as an Operations Manager for a local pet care company. Sarah is also a proud member of the Red Shoe Crew with Ronald McDonald House Charities, where she and fellow young professionals prepare meals for families staying at the house.
Geidy Lopez Ruiz
Upper Level & Middle Level Language Teacher
Geidy is no stranger to NDP as she served as a long-term substitute teaching Spanish in the Upper Level. This year, she will join the Language department fulltime teaching in both the Middle Level and Upper Level. Originally from Dominican Republic, Geidy now lives in Sparks, Maryland. She enjoys hiking, traveling and environmental conservation.
Jackie is the Social Media Manager at Notre Dame Prep, where she combines creativity and strategy to share the school’s story. As a documentary photographer, she is passionate about capturing authentic moments that inspire connection and curiosity. An NDP legacy and proud member of the Class of 2016, Jackie brings a deep love for the community and its traditions to everything she creates.
Manrique Garay
Security Guard
Manrique, also known as Rico, grew up in Maryland and studied Cyber Security in Howard Community College. After college, he briefly worked in the medical supplies industry before joining his father as a Security Officer. With over 10 years of experience in security, Rico has mastered the art of keeping people and places safe. He has worked for Loyola Blakefield high school for seven of those years. He is known for his sharp attention to detail and calm demeanor under pressure, he takes pride in protecting both property and people, which will serve NDP well as Rico will be joining our security team.
Julia Habiger '17
Upper Level English Teacher
Julia graduated from NDP in 2017 and received her Bachelor of Arts in English and economics from Washington and Lee University in 2021. For two years following her undergraduate studies, she worked as a government consultant in Washington, D.C. before deciding that it was time for a career change. With a one-way plane ticket to Madrid and a backpack from Facebook marketplace, Julia hiked the Camino de Santiago in an effort to discern which path to take next. After a month of walking through its charming towns and countryside, she was head-over-heels in love with Spain and already researching ways to return. Julia spent the last year as a high school English instructor in Almería, Spain, and discovered something that she enjoyed even more than churros, siestas, or café con leche: teaching. She is excited to return to her NDP roots this year and feels lucky to come back to a community that has shaped her in so many ways.
Carrie Johnson
Director of STEAM
Carrie Johnson grew up in Boston and received her BA in Broadcast Journalism from Emerson College. She spent 11 years working in New York City as a television producer, most notably covering the Athens Summer Olympics in 2004 for ESPN. She made a career change in 2007, moving back to Boston to attend Lesley University, earning her master's in education. Carrie’s focus was technology education, and she has spent the last 16 years as a K-12 technology, STEM, and Computer Science teacher. After 12 years teaching at Gill St. Bernard's in New Jersey, Carrie and her husband Jeff moved to Maryland. For the last three years, Carrie was at St. Paul’s School for Girls teaching AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, 5/6 Innovation classes, and the 9th and 10th grade Computer Science Fundamentals classes. She has also coached robotics for many years. Carrie will be our STEAM director and Innovation Department Chair, along with teaching an 8th grade IDT class.
Renee Koplon
Upper Level Mathematics Teacher
Originally from New York, Renee Koplon earned her Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Rutgers University. She brings with her over 30 years of teaching experience, including five years at the college level and 26 years in high schools. For the past nine years, she was at the Beth Tfiloh School right here in Baltimore. Renee is excited to join the NDP community and looks forward to sharing her passion for mathematics with our Upper Level students!
Sarah LaValley
Counseling Department Administration Assistant
Sarah LaValley who will serve as the administrative assistant in counseling, was raised in Syracuse, New York, before relocating to Maryland, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Towson University. Following graduation, she began her career as a recruiter and has spent the past two years serving as an Operations Manager for a local pet care company. Sarah is also a proud member of the Red Shoe Crew with Ronald McDonald House Charities, where she and fellow young professionals prepare meals for families staying at the house.
Geidy Lopez Ruiz
Upper Level & Middle Level Language Teacher
Geidy is no stranger to NDP as she served as a long-term substitute teaching Spanish in the Upper Level. This year, she will join the Language department fulltime teaching in both the Middle Level and Upper Level. Originally from Dominican Republic, Geidy now lives in Sparks, Maryland. She enjoys hiking, traveling and environmental conservation.
Peter McIver
Upper Level Religion Teacher
Peter McIver joins the NDP staff as a long-term substitute religion teacher after retiring from Marian House where he served as the Director of Operations for 25 years. Marian House provides supportive housing for formerly homeless women and their children in Baltimore City. Before Marian House, Pete was an ordained priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and served for years before leaving and getting married.
James Powell
Upper Level Social Studies Teacher
James Powell grew up in London, England. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and politics at the University of Leeds and his master’s in International Business from Birkbeck College, University of London. He trained as a teacher at the UCL Institute of Education. He has taught at leading English independent schools and written and co-written 15 economics textbooks and study guides for Hachette Learning.
Stephanie Rigley
Middle Level Religion Teacher
Stephanie Rigley joins us from Maryvale as a Middle Level religion teacher. Although a Baltimore native, she and her family spent more than 15 years living out of state, primarily in Minnesota – her most notable achievement may be that her kids are proficient in both ice hockey AND lacrosse. A proud alum of St. Joseph’s School - Cockeysville, Steph has enjoyed putting her master’s degree in Practical Theology to use by sharing with students in elementary, middle and high school classrooms how we can see God at work in our everyday lives.
Upper Level Religion Teacher
Peter McIver joins the NDP staff as a long-term substitute religion teacher after retiring from Marian House where he served as the Director of Operations for 25 years. Marian House provides supportive housing for formerly homeless women and their children in Baltimore City. Before Marian House, Pete was an ordained priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and served for years before leaving and getting married.
James Powell
Upper Level Social Studies Teacher
James Powell grew up in London, England. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and politics at the University of Leeds and his master’s in International Business from Birkbeck College, University of London. He trained as a teacher at the UCL Institute of Education. He has taught at leading English independent schools and written and co-written 15 economics textbooks and study guides for Hachette Learning.
Stephanie Rigley
Middle Level Religion Teacher
Stephanie Rigley joins us from Maryvale as a Middle Level religion teacher. Although a Baltimore native, she and her family spent more than 15 years living out of state, primarily in Minnesota – her most notable achievement may be that her kids are proficient in both ice hockey AND lacrosse. A proud alum of St. Joseph’s School - Cockeysville, Steph has enjoyed putting her master’s degree in Practical Theology to use by sharing with students in elementary, middle and high school classrooms how we can see God at work in our everyday lives.
Erin Rittershofer '18
Middle Level Mathematics Teacher
Erin Rittershofer grew up in Bel Air, MD and is a member of the class of 2018. She is finally over her historic "senior second" gym meet despite still claiming her class colors are cursed. She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her B.A. In Education with a minor in sport management. She began her career working in South Carolina teaching second grade where she realized she was much too sarcastic for the younglings. Upon moving back to Maryland, she taught 7th grade math at School of the Incarnation but wanted to come home to NDP.
Middle Level Mathematics Teacher
Erin Rittershofer grew up in Bel Air, MD and is a member of the class of 2018. She is finally over her historic "senior second" gym meet despite still claiming her class colors are cursed. She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her B.A. In Education with a minor in sport management. She began her career working in South Carolina teaching second grade where she realized she was much too sarcastic for the younglings. Upon moving back to Maryland, she taught 7th grade math at School of the Incarnation but wanted to come home to NDP.
Marie Rivera
Senior Communications Associate
Marie was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and grew up in Connecticut. She earned her B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, later completing her M.B.A. with a concentration in Marketing. Her career journey has taken her through consulting and A/E/C marketing, but she found her true calling in education marketing—especially in championing the mission to empower and educate girls. Marie brings both strategic expertise and heartfelt commitment to her work, creating meaningful connections with families and communities.
Marley Sachs
Physical Education Teacher
Marley Sachs is a recent graduate from Salisbury University where she majored in physical education and minored in coaching.
Joseph Scheide
Upper Level Social Studies Teacher
Joe Scheide grew up in Fallston, Maryland and attended Loyola Blakefield for middle and high school. His mom and three sisters, as well as his sister, and several cousins all attended NDP! He earned a BA in History at Mount St. Mary's University and a Masters in Liberal Arts at McDaniel College. Joe has taught social studies for ten years and coached golf the past four. He is excited to continue his career at NDP in the Social Studies department.
Theresa Vaccaro
Upper Level Mathematics Teacher
Theresa Vaccaro is a native of Baltimore. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Certification in Secondary Education from Washington College. Ms. Vaccaro went on to earn her Master’s degree in Leadership and Education from Notre Dame College of Maryland while working for the Baltimore County School System and raising her family. After retiring from Baltimore County, she spent a few years traveling, reading, and relaxing on the beach. Although she enjoyed that time, she felt the classroom calling her back and has decided to come out of retirement to work with the young women at Notre Dame Prep as an Upper Level math teacher.
Beth Waskiewicz '04
Upper Level English Teacher
Beth Waskiewicz is an NDP alumna and received both her Bachelor of Science in English and Master of Science in Professional Writing from Towson University. For the past 16 years, she spent her career as a civil servant for the Federal government in various leadership, communications, and business operations roles. She has a passion for writing and is thrilled to embark on a new chapter and career at her alma mater as an Upper Level English teacher.
Upper Level Social Studies Teacher
Joe Scheide grew up in Fallston, Maryland and attended Loyola Blakefield for middle and high school. His mom and three sisters, as well as his sister, and several cousins all attended NDP! He earned a BA in History at Mount St. Mary's University and a Masters in Liberal Arts at McDaniel College. Joe has taught social studies for ten years and coached golf the past four. He is excited to continue his career at NDP in the Social Studies department.
Theresa Vaccaro
Upper Level Mathematics Teacher
Theresa Vaccaro is a native of Baltimore. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Certification in Secondary Education from Washington College. Ms. Vaccaro went on to earn her Master’s degree in Leadership and Education from Notre Dame College of Maryland while working for the Baltimore County School System and raising her family. After retiring from Baltimore County, she spent a few years traveling, reading, and relaxing on the beach. Although she enjoyed that time, she felt the classroom calling her back and has decided to come out of retirement to work with the young women at Notre Dame Prep as an Upper Level math teacher.
Beth Waskiewicz '04
Upper Level English Teacher
Beth Waskiewicz is an NDP alumna and received both her Bachelor of Science in English and Master of Science in Professional Writing from Towson University. For the past 16 years, she spent her career as a civil servant for the Federal government in various leadership, communications, and business operations roles. She has a passion for writing and is thrilled to embark on a new chapter and career at her alma mater as an Upper Level English teacher.
Notre Dame Preparatory School
An Independent, Catholic Girls School, Grades 6-12, Sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame
