ST BERNARD PREP - Key Persons
My name is Br. Thomas Jones O.S.B. I'm a monk of St. Bernard Abbey and I've been here since 2010. I currently work as the librarian for St. Bernard Abbey and St. Bernard Prep School.
Job Titles:
- Assistant to the Headmaster
I have been a chemistry teacher for 36 years (29 in public school and 7 at SBP). My undergraduate degree in chemistry is from Athens University with graduate studies at UAB, University of Alabama, and University of Colorado. I love traveling, especially visiting my two children (Nick and Lauren) and 5 grandchildren (Acelyn, Ryne, Rhett, Avie, and Rhys).
I teach Algebra 2, AP Calculus AB and BC, and AP Calculus based Physics. I have been teaching at SBP since 2014. I have one son that graduated from SBP, a daughter and son that are current students, and one that is still in elementary school. SBP is my family in so many ways. I love teaching and helping my students gain a new appreciation for math and the created universe.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Journalism & Theology Instructor
Job Titles:
- Middle School Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Theology Instructor / Dining Hall Manager
Fr. Joel is a native of Fitzgerald, Georgia where he attended public schools, then graduated from Emory University in 1972. After earning M.A. and M.Div. degrees from St. Meinrad School of Theology he taught at St. Bernard Prep from 1991-1995. Then he was made Headmaster of the School and served in that position over fifteen years, being made President in 2013. He also serves as a Vocation Director and Choirmaster of St. Bernard Abbey.
Father Linus Klucsarits, O.S.B. holds a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in education with a focus on teaching English as a second language. He has been a monk of St. Bernard Abbey since 2011. Prior to that he was a monk at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe PA. Before entering the monastery, he had a career working with the Deaf and hard of hearing. He grew up in Pennsylvania.
Job Titles:
- Upper School History Instructor
James Griffin teaches AP U.S. History as well as Church History and Government. He has taught and lectured for years on literature, history, theology, sacred scriptures, geography, political economy, law, and ethics. He earned his B.A. in Economics and History at Gordon College, M.A. in History at the University of Alabama, and J.D. from Vanderbilt University. He has been a William Robertson Coe Fellow, a Marguerite Eyer Wilbur Fellow, and a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow. He is author of "A Predictive Framework for the Effectiveness of International Criminal Tribunals" Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, March 2001, 34:2, as well as numerous less academic writings. His mentors in his studies include Thomas Howard, Russell Kirk, Forrest McDonald, Tony Freyer, Thomas Askew, and Hal Weatherby. His wife is director of the women's dormitory at St. Bernard Prep. Their daughter is a 2018 graduate of St. Bernard Prep.
Job Titles:
- Middle & Upper School Band, Music Appreciation & Photography Instructor
Job Titles:
- Marketing / Public Relations & Festival Director
Mrs. Nix has been with St. Bernard Preparatory School since the school was re-established for the 1983-84 academic school year. She has served in various capacities from secretary to bookkeeper to her current position of marketing and public relations. Mrs. Nix is responsible for the quarterly publication of the St. Bernard Happenings, and has served as the director of one of the school's largest fundraisers, Bloomin' Festival Arts and Crafts Fair, since its inception 38 years ago. She also serves as director of the school's newest fall festival - Bernard Blues and BBQ! Mrs. Nix and her husband, Tim, have two grown children, Timothy and Rachel. They live on their farm just east of Cullman with their sweet dog, Elli, and serve as staff to their house ruling cats - Sugar and Spice.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Math Instructor
Job Titles:
- English Instructor, Drama Director
Job Titles:
- Athletics Administrative Assistant
Leah Messick and her husband Keith were married 22 years ago Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Their daughter, Alli Messick, is a 2016 graduate of St. Bernard Prep. Leah has a Business Degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a major in Accounting. She has been the Administrative Assistant for the Athletic Department since April of 2016. Keith, Leah, and Alli are proud to be a part of the St. Bernard family.
LuAnn has lived in Cullman county her whole life. She is married to John Gissell has one son and two granddaughters. Last year she served as the weekend girls dorm director. She has assumed the duties of High School Secretary and is excited for her new role.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Theology Instructor
Regina Gongre is a graduate of the University of Montevallo. She began working as the Administrative Assistant for the Alumni and Development Office of St. Bernard Preparatory School in 2013. Her oldest daughter, Anna, graduated from St. Bernard Preparatory School in 2016 and her youngest daughter, Alison, will graduate from St. Bernard in 2020. She resides in Cullman, AL.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Science Instructor
I have been a chemistry teacher for 36 years (29 in public school and 7 at SBP). My undergraduate degree in chemistry is from Athens University with graduate studies at UAB, University of Alabama, and University of Colorado. I love traveling, especially visiting my two children (Nick and Lauren) and 5 grandchildren (Acelyn, Ryne, Rhett, Avie, and Rhys).
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Business Manager at St. Bernard Prep
Stacey Price has been the Business Manager at St. Bernard Prep since the fall of 2010. She was raised in Jenison Michigan and attended Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids Michigan. She has 2 sons; Noah, who lives and works in Fort Collins (Colorado), and Elijah, who is a 2018 SBP graduate and is currently enrolled at the University of North Alabama. She has enjoyed living in Cullman and feels blessed to be a part of the St. Bernard community.
Job Titles:
- Athletic Director, Middle & Upper School Health & P.E. Instructor, Middle School Social Studies Instructor
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Middle School Assistant Headmaster
Coach William Calvert has worked at Saint Bernard Preparatory School for 8 years in various positions. Mr. Calvert served as the middle school principal for 6 years from 2010 -16. He has been the St. Bernard Athletic Director for the past 5 years. In addition, William is the head coach of the boys and girls cross country and track teams. His SBP teams have won 4 AHSAA State Championships and finished State Runner-Up 6 times since 2012. William began his tenure at St. Bernard in August of 2010 after 29 years as a teacher, coach and administrator in the Cullman County and City Schools Systems. Mr. Calvert is a graduate of Jacksonville State University where he earned a B.S. in Education (1981) while lettering 4 years in cross country and track. He holds a master's degree in Physical Education and a Graduate Certification in School Administration and Leadership from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.