SJCS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Development Director / Development
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal of St
Deborah Suddarth is the Principal of St. Joseph Catholic School, joining the faith community in the 2015-2016 school year. With a passion for teaching, Deborah Suddarth attended St. Francis University, and graduated with majors in theology and elementary education. She began teaching primary grades, preparing first communion classes, coaching girls' basketball, and directing school plays and musicals.
As her love for teaching grew, she began classes at Indiana State University and graduated with an MA in School Admnistration. She completed her teaching and adminstration certificates for both Illinois and Indiana. While Principal at St. Charles Borromeo School in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, she once again began studying at ISU and completed her Educational Specialist Degree with an emphasis in curriculum development. As principal at St. Charles, she was invited to NCEA's National Principals Academy.
She obtained an Indiana State Superintendent's license and became Associate Superintendent for the DIocese of Ft. Wayne-South Bend, where she assisted schools with accreditation, school improvement, curriculum design, and technology development. She conducted NCEA's "Shepherding the Shepherds" program for several dioceses. She was part of Apple Computer's Training the Trainers program, and provided inservice programs in several Midwest dioceses. She was later invited by the Franciscan Sisters to assist their religious community with marketing, fund development, and new membership.
In 2005, she joined the staff at National Teachers Academy (affiliated with the University of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools) to work with teachers studying for their MA through a mentor program with classroom teachers of high risk children. Through these years she watched most of her family move to Florida. in 2009 she became principal at St. MIchael Academy on Amelia Island where she ministered for six years. In July of 2015, she relocated to Bradenton, to become the principal at St. Joseph Catholic School.
Throughout these years, she has remained dedicated to Catholic education, working with staff, parents and students to provide a strong academic environment, while instilling strong Christian faith and values.
Debra Owens received her bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida. She holds Florida Professional Teacher Certificates in Social Sciences (5-9) and Mathematics (5-9) after completing coursework through the State College of Florida.. She has taught technology (K-8), middle school mathematics, Algebra, as well as social studies.
Debra enjoys instilling a love of numbers in her students. Her desire is to encourage her students to use both analytical and reasoning skills to look for a solution to any given problem.
Job Titles:
- VPK Director & School Counselor
Beginning her seventh year at St. Joseph's, Dr. Darling is the part-time VPK Director, school counselor, liaison with Manatee County Schools for speech and occupational therapy and exceptional student education, testing coordinator, and National Junior Honor Society advisor. She is a graduate of Catholic elementary, high school, and college in Cincinnati. She previously worked as an administrator in Sarasota County Schools. Working at a Catholic school her to see in practice the values that her Catholic education instilled in her. She has two sons who attended Catholic elementary and high schools and two grandsons. Her volunteer activities include member of the Board of Directors of the Literacy Council of Sarasota, chair of the Palm-Aire Women's Club Scholarship Committee, and volunteer at the Sarasota Architectural Foundation. She and her husband have been members of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish since 1989.
Education
Ph.D., Counselor Education, Ohio University
M.A., Guidance and Counseling, University of South Florida
B.A., Business Education, Mount St. Joseph University, Ohio
Job Titles:
- Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Catholic Church
Job Titles:
- Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church
Juli Ferguson has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from University of South Florida. She started teaching close to 30 years ago. She began her teaching career in public school, then followed her heart back to her alma mater, St. Joseph School, where she currently teaches third grade.
Mrs. Ferguson and her husband David, have two children, both of which graduated from St. Joseph School. Mrs. Ferguson also has two step-daughters who complete her family. She loves spending time with her her husband, her son, and her daughters. She loves the beach and dogs.
Job Titles:
- Physical Education & Athletic Director
Job Titles:
- Middle School - Science / Lbollmeyer Sjsfl.Org
Job Titles:
- Resource Coordinator
- Teacher
Ms. Tavernier has been the sacramental preparation catechist at St. Joseph Parish since 1990. In 1991 she trained to become a Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph Parish. She has helped in the RCIA program, the Children's Memorial Garden, and the We Miss You program at St. Joseph parish.
Job Titles:
- Facility Projects Manager
Stephanie Waiters is a native of Florida, attended Manatee Junior College (SCF) and is a graduate of Florida A&M University (FAMU Rattlers). She has a degree in classical/theatrical music, a minor in childcare development, and is a voice trainer and Music Minister.
Ms. Waiters has worked in Law enforcement for 20+ years and is a retired CDL examiner/DMV specialist. She is also a certified drug rehab specialist for adults and adolescence, and a State of Florida Armed Private Security officer.
Stephanie came to be a part of the St. Joseph Catholic School community in 2010 through driving the big yellow school bus and continues to substitute for SJCS and other catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Venice.
She became the Cafeteria Manager in 2022 and is also the SJCS Cheer Coach, sharing her 30+ years of Cheerleading experience to help young ladies to build confidence through technical abilities and a loving and spiritual environment.
Ms. Waiters shares "I have five wonderful, Christ-Centered, Christ-filled, loving, children with the oldest being 39 years old and the youngest 12. I also have two fur babies, a dog named Coco and a cat name Tinker Bell...AND I TRULY LOVE MY SAINT JOSEPH FAMILY. Prayer... is a wonderful thing, and each person of the Trinity is involved in every acceptable prayer. - J. Angell James"
Job Titles:
- Speech Language Pathologist