Faculty and Staff

At St. Pius X Catholic School, we know that a great education comes partly from having outstanding teachers. We pride ourselves on having a stellar faculty and staff, who are here to serve your child by providing the best academic and faith formation. Our teachers are licensed in their subject areas, and many of them hold advanced degrees or are working towards advanced degrees in their field. 
 
Father Jorge Agüera, Pastor                       
Fr Jorge Agüera was born on May 13, 1970 in Burgos, Spain, a city on the way to St James to Compostela. He was raised in Valladolid, capital of Castile and former capital of Spain. After serving in the Army, at the age of 20 he joined the religious congregation of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and was ordained a priest in Cuenca (Spain) on March 22, 1997. He finished his studies in Rome and graduated with a M.A. in Moral Theology by the “San Dámaso” Theological College, Madrid. He first served as a priest in Madrid for 6 years, ministering to College and High School youth, as well as to families. In the Fall of 2004 he was assigned to start a new community in Falls Church, Northern Virginia, and for five years he served the Spanish-speaking immigrant communities at three different parishes in the DC metropolitan area. In the summer of 2009 he was assigned to Denver, serving first at St Mary’s parish, Littleton, and then as chaplain and teacher at Bishop Machebeuf High School. In the summer of 2011 he began to serve as a diocesan priest, first at Ascension parish, and later at Queen of Peace parish. In June 2014 the Archbishop appointed him pastor of St Pius X parish in Aurora. In all these years as a priest he has undertaken a wide variety of ministries, from College youth to families, from spiritual assistance to religious communities to ministering to immigrants, from preaching the spiritual exercises to serving as teacher and chaplain at schools. May God continue to bless his ministry among us!

Mrs. Karen Shannahan, Principal  
Mrs. Shannahan comes to St. Pius X Catholic School from Monument Academy in Monument, CO where she taught 5^th grade. Previously, she was the Advancement Director and part of the administrative team at Corpus Christi Catholic School in Colorado Springs, CO.  This was where she discerned her calling to Catholic School Administration. Mrs. Shannahan has her B.A. in Business Administration from Minot State University and M.Ed. in Education Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision from the University of Oklahoma, Norman. She has a Certificate in Catholic School Leadership from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. Mrs. Shannahan is married 32 years to her husband Mike, a retired Air Force Officer. She has 3 children, Casey who is a Marine Corps Officer, Katie who is a Mechanical Engineer, and Brady who is serving in the Space Force. She loves to hike and “jeep” in the mountains. Mrs. Shannahan enjoys sharing her faith and experiences with the St. Pius X Catholic School community.

Mrs. Mandi Lupher, Assistant Principal


Ms. Mary Martin, Adminstrative Assistant
As a daughter of an Air Force pilot of 32 years, Mrs. Martin has lived in many places around the world and speaks four languages. She is blessed to be the mother of four children. Ms. Martin feels full of joy again working back with the Catholic Church and this blessed opportunity to be here at St Pius X Catholic School.  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Ms. Amy Madden, Preschool Director & Pre-K Teacher


Mrs. Deann Aquino, Preschool Teacher                   
Mrs. Aquino has been at St. Pius as our preschool and pre-k teacher for more than 12 years, and has been a teaching since 1989. She holds a degree in early childhood education and teaches our mixed preschool and pre-kindergarten class. She does an excellent job preparing students for continued education by introducing them to the foundational skills needed to progress in their schooling.

Mrs. Kelley Mestdagh, Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Mestdagh was born and raised in Arvada, Colorado. She played many sports growing up including softball, basketball, and track & field. It was her love for sports that led her to continue her softball career at the University of Oklahoma. Mrs. Mestdagh received her Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies. She moved back home and earned her Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership at Regis University in Denver. She coached collegiate softball at Regis for 3 years and loved teaching the student-athletes about Jesus. Mrs. Mestdagh is excited to help her students wonder about God and all His creations while incorporating this mindset into each subject area. 

Ms. Eileen Czapla-Haslam, First Grade Teacher
Ms. Czapla-Haslam comes to us with many years of teaching experience in Aurora Public Schools.  She has been a classroom teacher and a music teacher for grades K-8 over the years. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Chadron State College, and a master’s degree in arts and curriculum from Lesley College. She brings great experience to our primary team.

Mrs. Kendra Bissonnette, Second Grade Teacher
Mrs. Bissonnette has been an educator with the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools for 13 years. She has been teaching at St. Pius X for the last 12 years. Mrs. Bissonnette taught fourth grade, fifth grade, and middle school during her first five years at St. Pius. She has spent the last seven years teaching second grade. Mrs. Bissonnette has a strong knowledge of education at all levels and she brings great experience to our primary team. She loves teaching second grade because she helps prepare the students for their Sacraments. Mrs. Bissonnette has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Colorado State University. 

Mrs. Erin Thielke, Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Thielke loves preparing our third grade students to receive their sacraments. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and art from Western State University. Has been also a teacher at St. Therese and Our Lady of Loreto schools.

Ms. Eleni Vayas, Fourth Grade Teacher

 
Mr. Eric McRoberts, Fifth Grade Teacher
Mr. Eric McRoberts holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Columbus State University and a Master of Science degree in Film Theory from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Born and raised in Southern Georgia, Mr. McRoberts has had the blessed opportunity to travel and live abroad, while studying for various programs. Mr. McRoberts is a former seminarian for the Diocese of Savannah; he is ecstatic to have the opportunity in joining the faculty of St. Pius X after teaching fifth grade for three years at Pope John Paul II Academy in Montrose, Colorado. Mr. McRoberts is an avid reader of philosophy, history and theology, a lifelong chess player, and coach, as well a dedicated runner. 

Mr.Paul Buchholz, Middle School Social Studies and Language Arts Teacher
Mr. Buchholz is a dedicated Catholic educator who has taught in the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools for the last sixteen years instructing middle school social studies, theology, science, outdoor education, writing, and language arts. He has a bachelor’s degree from Regis University in history and a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in comparative world history. He has been working with our middle school team for the last seven years and is very committed to his vocation as a parent, husband, and Catholic educator. His passion for learning about God’s creation and salvation history is something that he wants to pass on to every child at St. Pius X Catholic School for his/her eternal happiness.

Mrs. Sharon Tracy, Middle School Literature Teacher  
Sharon Tracy is now in her 10th year of teaching, and her third year here at St Pius X Catholic School. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN, where she graduated Magna cum Laude. She also holds a Master of Arts Degree in History from Roosevelt University. She is passionate about literature and wants all her students to excel in their reading abilities. 

Mrs. Heidi Wilson, Middle School Theology Teacher
Mrs. Wilson comes to us after teaching at St. James Catholic School for the past few years. She has a master's degree in theology from Franciscan University where she also earned her bachelor's degree also in theology. 

Mr. David Gill, Middle School Math and Science Teacher
Mr. Gill worked for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder since the mid 1980s. He used his bachelor's degree in mathematics as a software engineer at NCAR, where he was part of a small team that developed the most widely used numerical weather prediction model in the world. He was on the tutorial team that taught thousands of students how to use the model. Mr. Gill is an enthusiastic guitar and banjo player, and is participating in the music ministry at St Pius X church. Mathematics lets us train our minds to recognize logical order and form, and science lets us understand more deeply the physical universe around us. Together, these disciplines let us be in awe at the wonder of creation around us.

Mr. Josh Davenport, Physical Education Teacher
Mr. Davenport is in his first year as PE Teacher and Athletic Director for St. Pius. He spent over 20 years as a basketball coach at Notre Dame High School in Belmont (CA) and filled other roles there, including substitute teacher during his tenure. In addition to his basketball experience, Coach Davenport played Intercollegiate Soccer at Notre Dame de Namur University and was a 4-year starter and team captain his senior year. He is a big proponent of the benefits of lifelong physical activity. He still plays adult league basketball and likes to play soccer with his sons. Mr. Davenport is going to expect his students to work hard and to have fun in the process of becoming more physically fit.

Mrs. Eva Dudinszky-Gomez, Music Teacher

Mrs. Kristy Bonomo, Art Teacher
Mrs. Bonomo is new to Colorado coming from the suburbs of Chicago, but is very excited to be joining the St. Pius X team as the Art Teacher. She has a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, has previously owned her own international cabinetry business, but has enjoyed working in the education field for the past three years. She has substituted for every grade level from PreK to 8th. Previously she has earned her Early Entry Certificate and has worked as a paraprofessional in Pre Kindergarten. Mrs. Bonomo is excited to be bringing creative experiences and artistic growth opportunities to your students. Mrs. Bonomo also has assisted in coaching Cross Country, Varsity Flag Football, and JV Boys Basketball at St. Pius X. She prays her teachings will be a blessing to all. 

Mrs. Carol Tufano, Literacy Tutor 
Mrs. Tufano has retired from teaching for us full time for the past 35 years!  She will be working part-time as a literacy tutor, helping students in classrooms with reading and writing support. We are so grateful to have Mrs. Tufano still with us in her part-time role!

Mrs. Patricia Haven, Math Tutor
Mrs. Haven has been a teacher, substitute, and math tutor at St. Pius X. She is returning this year as a math tutor, supporting teachers in developing students’ math skills. She works with students at all levels to help them understand and expand their foundation and abilities in mathematics.

Mrs. Jackie Morales, English Language Learner Tutor
Mrs. Morales has worked in Catholic education for more than 7 years. After working in the front office for four years, she is now into her second year working in preschool. Mrs Morales has had  previous experience working in a preschool and is excited to be part of the preschool staff! She loves working with students and helping them grow closer to God. She is also a mother of 2 students that attend St. Pius X.