Father John Tapp
Pastor
Gerda Letizia
Principal
Gerda Letizia
Contact: gletizia@myoll.com
| It is my pleasure to announce that Mrs. Gerda Letizia has been chosen as the new principal for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School starting July 1, 2026. Mrs. Letizia will be replacing Mrs. Elizabeth Agresta who served as OLL Principal for the past four years. Mrs. Agresta announced her retirement in January 2026.
Mrs. Letizia has served as the Assistant Principal at St. Cecelia Catholic school for the past four years. She also taught at Our Lady of Lourdes School for the 2021-22 school year. She holds an M.S.A. in School Administration from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Maine in Farmington and is currently enrolled in the Villanova Program for Catholic School Management. Mrs. Letizia was chosen from a field of twenty-two applicants from throughout the U.S. She was the unanimous choice for this position with our interview committee based on her credentials and experience. She is a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish where she serves as a Reader/Lector at the 7:30 am Sunday Mass. I know you will join me in warmly welcoming Mrs. Letizia to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School as Principal. Our school will be blessed by her leadership, experience, foresight, and devotion to the Catholic Faith – for the coming school year and well into the future. Fr. John Tapp, Pastor |
Andy Delgado
Assistant Principal
Andy Delgado
Contact: adelgado@myoll.com
Mr. Andy Delgado has accepted the position of Assistant Principal for the 2025–2026 school year! He will officially begin his new role on June 1, 2025.
What makes this moment especially meaningful is that Mr. Delgado’s story is deeply rooted in the very heart of Our Lady of Lourdes. He once walked these same hallways as a middle school student, sat in our church as a young parishioner, and received all of his sacraments here. He graduated from Clearwater Central Catholic High School, returned in 2018 to teach at OLL, and now, as his own son AJ prepares to start EC3 in the fall, Mr. Delgado steps into this next chapter—student, teacher, parent, and now, administrator.
This isn’t just a job for Mr. Delgado. OLL is part of who he is.
Over the years, he has served in both 5th grade and middle school Language Arts, always bringing a joyful spirit, a deep love for his students, and a strong commitment to our mission. He has long felt called to leadership and has been preparing for this role with great care, patience, and heart. Becoming Assistant Principal here is something he has truly hoped and prayed for—because there is nowhere else he would rather serve.
The interview team was deeply impressed by Mr. Delgado’s thoughtful insights, his passion for education, and his eagerness to keep learning and growing in this new role. He brings with him a strong sense of purpose and a genuine love for the OLL community that will continue to guide and inspire his leadership.
I am so excited to work alongside him as we continue building a school grounded in love, service, learning, integrity, and courage.
Please join me in congratulating Mr. Delgado on this well-earned and joy-filled next step. The future is bright—and we are blessed to walk into it together.
Suzanna Duck
Office Assistant
Suzanna Duck
Suzanna Duck moved from Upstate NY to Punta Gorda in 2019. Shortly after, she met her future husband Tim and moved to Dunedin. He has two children that graduated from OLL, and they regularly share their fond memories of their time there. Suzanna has three children who are enjoying life in tropical Florida. Two are in high school and one in college at UT. She has vast experience managing real estate offices, as well as having a real estate license. She enjoys working at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School.
Contact: sduck@myoll.com
Dina Englert
Bookkeeper
Dina Englert
Dina Englert has been a part of Catholic Education for the past 30 years. Her three children were all raised in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Her previous work experience was in Sales, Marketing and Finance.
Contact: denglert@myoll.com
Claudia Useche
EC3 Teacher
Early Childhood Director
Claudia Useche
Claudia Useche serves as the EC3 Teacher and Director of Early Childhood Education at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. Originally from Colombia, she moved to the United States in 2000. Claudia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Design and a Master’s degree in Industrial Management, both earned in Colombia.
She brings over 14 years of experience in early childhood education within the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Prior to joining Our Lady of Lourdes, Claudia worked at St. Luke Early Childhood Center and Bishop Larkin Catholic School. She also contributed to the ESOL program with Pinellas County Schools, supporting language development for students from diverse backgrounds.
Claudia is certified with the Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) and holds a Director Credential with a VPK endorsement, credentials that reflect her strong commitment to high-quality early childhood education.
Known for her warmth, dedication, and passion for working with young children, Claudia believes deeply in the importance of the early years in a child’s development. She emphasizes the value of open communication between school and home, viewing strong collaboration with families as key to a successful and enriching school experience. Her goal is to create a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment where every child feels supported and inspired to grow.
Contact: cuseche@myoll.com
Carlie Vogeney
EC3 Teacher Assistant
Carlie Vogeney
Carlie Vogeney was born in Pennsylvania but raised in Clearwater, FL, since she was one and has always been an active member of her community. She grew up attending St. Cecilia’s Church, where she participated in youth groups, Vacation Bible School (VBS), and numerous retreats, building a strong foundation in faith and community service. After graduating from Clearwater High, she worked in customer service until 2018 when she decided to become a stay-at-home mom, rediscovering her passion for working with children during this time. Married with three children, two of whom attend Our Lady of Lourdes, Mrs. Vogeney is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in PreK/Primary Education at St. Petersburg College. Last year, Mrs. Vogeney began her journey at Our Lady of Lourdes as a substitute teacher in the preschool. This year she is eager to continue her career as the EC3 teaching assistant alongside Mrs. Fulham. Her goal is to create an environment where children feel safe, seen, and nurtured, fostering their spirits and love for learning.
Contact: cvogeney@myoll.com
Melissa Brochak
EC4 Teacher
Melissa Brochak
email to: mbrochak@myoll.com
Melissa has served as our kindergarten assistant for the past three years and has worked diligently to prepare herself for this opportunity. During that time, she continued her education, completed the required coursework, and recently earned her Child Development Associate credential, also known as a CDA, which qualifies her to serve as the lead teacher in EC4.
This new role is the result of years of dedication, patience, and commitment. Melissa has worked her way through different roles at OLL, completed the necessary requirements, and demonstrated that she is well prepared for this next step. We are proud to celebrate someone who has invested in our school community, trusted the path placed before her, and worked hard to become fully qualified for this position.
Melissa is also a lifelong member of the Our Lady of Lourdes community. She attended OLL from EC4 through 8th grade, received her sacraments here, and has remained closely connected to our parish and school throughout her life. Her deep roots in the OLL community, combined with her dedication to our students, make this a meaningful and exciting next step.
Anna Dahlbacka
Kindergarten Teacher
Anna Dahlbacka
Anna (Fidelus) Dahlbacka was born and raised in Chicago and went to high school in Goose Creek, SC (a small town outside of Charleston). She completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an ESOL and Reading endorsement at the University of Central Florida (Go Knights!) and Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University. She has worked in the Diocese of St. Petersburg as a teacher since 2011. She has taught VPK Preschool, 1st grade, 2nd grade, Art (Pre-K through 8th grade), and Enrichment.
During the summer, Mrs. Dahlbacka teaches high school students with Junior Achievement/CAP about budgeting, finance, and career readiness strategies. She is a first-generation American with Polish roots and learned English in school as an ESOL student. Her previous teachers made a positive impact and influenced her to become an educator, too! During her free time, she enjoys travelling, spending time with her husband, Joey, and family, and spending time at the beach. The moment she stepped foot on the Our Lady of Lourdes campus, she felt a sense of community and even received her Sacrament of Marriage at OLL June 2021! She enjoys teaching and aspires to inspire the students to become the best version of themselves with a positive mindset!
Contact: adahlbacka@myoll.com
Brittany Kane
Kindergarten Assistant
Enhanced Learning Teacher
Brittany Kane
We are also pleased to introduce Ms. Brittany Kane as our kindergarten assistant for the 2026–2027 school year. In addition to this role, Brittany will also teach Enhanced Learning classes for students in grades 1 through 5.
Brittany has been substitute teaching at Our Lady of Lourdes for the past two school years and has become a familiar face to many of our students and families. She is also an active member of our parish, school, and HSA communities. Her children attend OLL, and Brittany has consistently demonstrated generosity, dedication, and a strong commitment to our school mission through her work with students and volunteer support at school events.
Brittany recently earned her certification to teach children from age three through third grade, along with her elementary education certification for the state of Florida. We are happy to welcome her into this new role supporting both kindergarten and our Enhanced Learning program.
Angela Seitz
Grade 1 Teacher
Angela Seitz
Angela Seitz has been a teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes since 2012. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida, along with certifications in ESOL and Reading Endorsement. Angela began her teaching career in 2010 at St. Stephen Catholic School in Riverview, Florida, where she taught for two years before joining OLL. At OLL, she has taught various grades, including 4th grade, early childhood 3, 2nd grade, Kindergarten, and now 1st grade. Besides her role as a classroom teacher, Angela also serves as the Yearbook Advisor alongside a fellow faculty member.
Throughout her teaching career, Angela has gained extensive knowledge about children, the Catholic faith, communication, and her own professional growth. Her goals at OLL are to help children reach their full academic potential while integrating Catholic faith and values into their daily lives. She strives to create a safe and welcoming environment that fosters productive learning, creativity, and communication. Angela loves being part of the Our Lady of Lourdes community and looks forward to coming to school every day.
Contact: aseitz@myoll.com
Kristen Sampson
Grades 1 -3
Teacher Assistant
Kristen Sampson
Mrs. Sampson has been a long time parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes. Her three children have attended Our Lady of Lourdes since they were in Kindergarten. She began her teaching career at a local Christian preschool teaching two year-olds. She came to the OLL team as an aftercare assistant and later became the assistant in the EC3 classroom. This year she has moved on to assist in the first and second grade classes. Mrs. Sampson is passionate about helping children learn and grow, and strives to provide a loving, safe, and nurturing environment to help each child become the best version of themselves.
Contact: klsampson@myoll.com
Kathleen Flanagan
Grade 2 Teacher
Kathleen Flanagan
Miss Kathleen Flanagan has had the privilege of teaching at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School since 1999. A native of Long Island, New York and an alumnus of Clearwater Central Catholic High School, Miss Flanagan graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Prior to arriving at Our Lady of Lourdes, she was a Title I resource teacher in Pinellas County Schools and a Faith Formation catechist at Saint Patrick Church in Largo. Miss Flanagan taught third grade at Our Lady of Lourdes for 23 years before making the move to second grade in 2022.
A recipient of the Monsignor William Dubois Award in 2017, Miss Flanagan has a passion for sharing her faith with her students, especially in the study of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. She has been a resident of Dunedin and a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes since 2007. Outside the classroom, Miss Flanagan enjoys spending time with her family, spoiling her cat, and exploring the beautiful community of Dunedin.
Contact: kflanagan@myoll.com
Laura Hogue
Grade 3 Teacher
Laura Hogue
We are pleased to share that Mrs. Laura Hogue will be joining Our Lady of Lourdes as our new third grade teacher for the 2026 to 2027 school year.
Mrs. Hogue brings experience, warmth, strong classroom structure, and a deep desire to teach in a Catholic school community. She understands that our work at OLL is about more than academics. It is about forming the whole child through faith, love, integrity, and a genuine sense of belonging.
Professionally, Mrs. Hogue has taught first, second, third, and fourth grade. She knows how to meet students where they are, build their confidence, and help them grow as readers, writers, thinkers, and problem solvers. She also brings creativity into the classroom, including hands on STEM activities that encourage students to build, problem solve, and think creatively.
Mrs. Hogue is a retired military spouse and mother of three. Two of her children will also be joining OLL next year in first and fourth grade, and they are looking forward to becoming Romans. Her Catholic faith is an important part of who she is, and she is looking forward to becoming involved in our school and parish community.
We are grateful to welcome Mrs. Hogue and her family to Our Lady of Lourdes. Please join us in giving her a warm OLL welcome.
Melody Park
Grades 4-5
ELA Teacher
Melody Park
Contact: mpark@myoll.com
Melody Park moved to Dunedin over 10 years ago, in part to be a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. She has two sons that graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School.
Melody received her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of South Florida and worked for Baycare Hospitals for six years before attending SPC and earning her teaching certificate to make a career change. Her teaching career began in Pinellas County Public Schools, however, for the past four years she has been teaching at OLL. She has taught grades 2-5 throughout her time as an educator. Melody also has a passion for the Arts and has been a co-director of the school musicals for the past three years.
Melody is passionate about creating a classroom environment where students feel loved, respected, and know that mistakes are part of the learning process. She wants to inspire joy in the learning process to encourage students to be lifelong learners, not just for academic pursuits, but to live their faith out loud.
Jenifer Kunnen
Grades 4-5
Math & Science Teacher
Jenifer Kunnen
Mrs. Kunnen, a seasoned educator with 37 years of experience, has dedicated her career to teaching third, fourth, and fifth graders, with a particular passion for math and science. Holding a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from the University of South Florida, she skillfully incorporates technology into her daily curriculum, making learning both engaging and modern. Mrs. Kunnen is renowned for creating an exciting and dynamic classroom environment that brings learning to life and fosters a sense of happiness and team spirit among her students. Her commitment to a kind and positive classroom culture has led to consistently high math scores on standardized tests. Additionally, she integrates the Catholic faith into all subjects, maintaining very positive relationships with students, staff, and parents, and contributing to a holistic educational experience.
Contact: jkunnen@myoll.com
Katie Sellers
Grades 5-8
Advanced Math Teacher
Katie Sellers
Katie Sellers is a dedicated educator with a passion for helping students live up to their full potential. Raised locally, Katie attended Our Lady of Lourdes as a student for nine years and then went on to Clearwater Central Catholic High School. Called to be a teacher like many in her family, she decided to study at the University of Florida where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education. After graduation, Katie felt drawn to teach in the same nurturing Catholic environment in which she was raised. Her teaching career began in 2001 at St. Mary Magdalen School in Altamonte Springs, where she taught fourth grade. In 2003, after marrying and moving back to Dunedin, she returned to her alma mater, OLL, and taught computer technology as well as 5th grade for four years. After several years in the classroom Katie decided to take a break from education to become a stay-at-home mom. She and her husband welcomed three beautiful daughters and Katie stayed home with them for ten years. During her time away from the classroom, Katie remained actively involved at Our Lady of Lourdes, volunteering as a room mom and serving as a member, and then president, of the School Advisory Council for six years. In 2017, when her youngest daughter was old enough to start school, Katie returned to the classroom in her current role as a part-time advanced math teacher. Katie is also co-chair of the Fall Festival, the school’s largest fundraiser. She describes Our Lady of Lourdes as her home and feels passionately about making it the best school it can be!
Contact: ksellers@myoll.com
Lori Haake
Middle School
Language Arts Teacher
Lori Haake
Lori Haake comes to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School with over 25 years of teaching experience. She has taught a wide range of grade levels, from first through fifth grades, allowing her to understand and address the varying needs of her students. Mrs. Haake has firm roots in Catholic Education. She was the lead first-grade teacher at her own alma mater, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Herrin, Illinois. Following her move to Palm Harbor in 2019 with her husband and three sons, Mrs. Haake taught first grade at Athenian Academy Charter School in Dunedin. She has endorsements in Social Sciences and Reading/Language Arts. Mrs. Haake believes in creating a positive and motivational learning environment. She values the importance of working closely with parents to ensure the best possible social and academic success of her students.
Mrs. Haake is excited to return to a Catholic school setting where she feels most at home.
Contact: lhaake@myoll.com
Hannah Romanoski
Middle School
Math & Science Teacher
Hannah Romanoski
We are pleased to introduce Hannah Romanoski as our new Middle School Math and Science teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. By the middle of the school year, however, many of our students will know her as Mrs. Gardner, as Hannah will be getting married this October. We look forward to celebrating this joyful season of life with her!
Hannah comes to us from Blessed Sacrament Catholic School and is a graduate of Kent State University in Ohio, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education. She is certified to teach secondary math and science and brings a strong passion for hands-on learning, especially through engaging science labs.
Hannah loves working with middle school students and looks forward to building a classroom culture where every student feels safe, challenged, and encouraged to grow in faith, academics, and character. Her current principal at Blessed Sacrament shared that she has been a wonderful role model for their older students.
Outside of the classroom, Hannah is a huge sports fan, especially baseball. Her favorite team is the Cleveland Guardians, although she is quickly becoming a Tampa Bay Rays fan as well.
We are very happy to welcome Hannah to the OLL family!
Pam Kohler
Middle School
Religion & Social Studies
Pam Kohler
Mrs. Kohler is a veteran teacher who came to us from Guardian Angels Catholic School, where she has been the Middle School Social Studies teacher for many years. She has a Bachelor in Organizational Studies and Environmental Policy, with a Social Science Certification for grades 6-23. She came with many accolades from her peers and students alike! Mrs. Kohler is known for being a team player and doing whatever it takes to get the job done and inspire a love for learning in her students.
Contact: pkohler@myoll.com
Lisa Suarez
Music Teacher,
Performing Arts
Lisa Suarez
Mrs. Suarez is an alumnus of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and Clearwater Central Catholic HS. She is a native Floridian and was raised in Dunedin, where she still resides with her husband and their two children, who also attended OLL.
Lisa continued to pursue her love of music, theater and dance at the University of South Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with concentration on vocal and choral performance. Lisa directs our school and parish children’s choir, as well as our school’s Show Choir which has performed at venues such as Disney World and the Catholic Foundation Gala. Lisa strives to keep her Catholic faith the focus of her everyday music lessons, inspiring her students to share their God-given talents with others.
Lisa is also the Co-chair of our annual Fall Festival with her life-long friend and colleague, Katie Sellers. OLL holds a very special place in her heart and is a place she truly calls home.
Contact: mrssuarez@myoll.com
Aaron Hannon
P.E. Teacher
Athletic Director
Aaron Hannon
Aaron Hannon, a Tampa Bay native, is entering his first full year at Our Lady of Lourdes. After earning his graduate degree in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Florida, Aaron quickly realized his true passion is mentoring young men and women through team sports. This led him to become the Assistant Director of Hard2Guard Basketball Academy in Clearwater, FL.
During his tenure at Hard2Guard, Mr. Hannon developed a comprehensive understanding of running an athletics program based on Christian values, such as: teamwork, accountability, integrity, and respect. He has committed to these values not only at Our Lady of Lourdes but also at Clearwater Central Catholic, where he serves as the Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Coach.
Mr. Hannon displays a great passion for helping students of all ages understand how involvement in athletics can better prepare them for their future endeavors and is dedicated to providing a supportive and values-driven environment that encourages personal growth and development.
Contact: ahannon@myoll.com
Mary Donner
Art Teacher
Mary Donner
Mary Donner has been a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes since 2002 when she and her family moved here from Boston. She began her stint with OLL education as a volunteer for Faith Formation, then as an aide. She has held the Art teacher position since 2009. Born and raised in the Midwest, she received an AA in Printmaking and Photography from Stephens College, Columbia Missouri. Mrs. Donner then went on to attend the University of Iowa where she received her BFA in Art and Art History. Mrs. Donner integrates creativity not just in the art room, but loves collaborating with teachers to infuse art into all subjects. Mrs. Donner loves to create an environment in the art room that encourages imagination for all ages. She lives in Dunedin with her husband Mick and son Harrison. Mick plays bass and guitar in the Life Teen band at OLL. Their son, Arthur is a 2009 graduate of OLL , and UF & USF graduate. Arthur and his wife, Kai, and their daughter, Rosemary, live in St. Petersburg Florida.
Contact: mdonner@myoll.com
Jennifer Nelson
Spanish Teacher
Jennifer Nelson
Ms. Nelson is originally from Quito, Ecuador. As a native speaker, she understands the importance of teaching a second language and inspiring students to speak Spanish. Ms. Nelson studied at La Católica in Quito, Ecuador and graduated from the University of Florida. She translated for the Spanish community in Pinellas County in 2007. She is familiar with the Catholic school system as she is a graduate of SCS and CCC. With a passion to give back to the community and inspire youth, Ms. Nelson has found a home at OLL. Ms. Nelson will continue to grow the Spanish program and aims to create enjoyable Spanish classes for VPK to 8th grade. Ms. Nelson currently serves on the Legacy Committee for OLL.
Contact: jnelson@myoll.com
Jeanine Newcomb
Academic Support
Jeanine Newcomb
Jeanine Newcomb holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and a master’s degree in Special Education, combining her passions for creative expression and cognitive development. Over the past 25 years she has dedicated her career to teaching and administration within the diocese of St. Petersburg. Ms. Newcomb’s expertise in special education enables her to adeptly address the diverse needs of her students, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention and support. Her fine art background enriches her teaching approach, allowing her to integrate creative techniques that inspire and motivate her students.
From developing the first special needs program at St. Petersburg Catholic High School to being responsible for academics as the Dean for Learning and Achievement at Clearwater Central Catholic, Ms. Newcomb understands the rigor of Catholic education and the importance of foundational skills in setting students up for success. For the past 7 years she has been focusing on middle school age students and working collaboratively with students, parents, teachers, and outside agencies to support divergent learners in academic success while exploring the latest in brain science and learning strategies.
Ms. Newcomb’s desire for every student to reach their potential is rooted in her Catholic faith, which she feels deeply grateful to share with her students and colleagues. She is an avid runner competing in 5K through ultra-marathon events across her running career. She is also a competent painter who has been recognized in local art exhibits. With energy, enthusiasm, and empathy, Ms. Newcomb’s goal is for her OLL students is to feel heard and respected for their individual differences and to know they are supported and loved.
Contact: jnewcomb@myoll.com