CATHOLIC - Key Persons
Mr. Martens received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education K-12 from Messiah College, Grantham PA, in 1977. He began teaching at St. Joseph's School in September 1981. Since then he has led the band to consistent "Superior" ratings at the Archdiocesan Band Festival, and in 1997 the band was named "The Outstanding Catholic Elementary School Band in the United States" in a tape festival sponsored by the National Catholic Bandmasters Association. He has over 30 years of teaching at St. Joseph's.
Mrs. Deptula graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. While her education career began in Chicago at a Catholic school, she has since brought her love of learning to Maryland where she lives with her husband and two cats. When not teaching or reading every book she can get her hands on, Mrs. Deptula likes to sew, cook, and spend time with her family.
Mrs. Meunier comes to us from Northern Virginia where she was born and raised. Starting out as an applied math consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, she took several years off to raise her three children, currently 12, 13 and 16. When her youngest was in preschool she began as a middle school math teacher in the Diocese of Arlington. She is thrilled to join the Archdiocese of Washington as an administrator. She has a B.S. in Economics and Math, M.S. in Operations Research, and is a couple classes away from finishing her coursework for a Ph.D in Education and Administration all at George Mason University. Two of her children currently attend St. Joseph's. In her free time she loves to shop, watch movies, and spend time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Director of Enrollment / Director
Mrs. Pappas received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary & middle school curriculum from Frostburg State University. She has taught middle school math and science at St. Joseph's Regional School since January 2004. Before that, she held several positions in the Childtime Learning Centers including center director and East region training manager. Mrs. Pappas was Teacher of the Year at St. Joseph's RCS in June of 2008. In May of 2010, she received the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Archdiocese of Washington. In her free time, Mrs. Pappas loves to spend time with family and travel.
Mrs. Altemus received her BA degree from the Catholic University of America and earned her teaching certificate in 2012. She served as Title I Teacher at Adelphi Elementary School from 1995 to 1997 and from there went on as an Inclusion Teacher for the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute at St. Camillus School from 1997 to 2001 where she received the "Essence" Award. She then taught 3rd grade at St. Camillus from 2001 to 2003. Since September 2003, she has taught 2nd grade here at St. Joseph's and was recognized in the 9th and 10th Editions of "Who's Who Among America's Most Respected Teachers." She was also "Teacher of the Year" for 2012 and in April 2018, she was awarded the "Golden Diamond" award. In December 2018, she was the recipient of the VFW Teacher of the Year. Her passion is filling young minds with the love of Christ and learning, and she is also a catechist at the Church of the Resurrection in Burtonsville, Maryland. Mrs. Altemus is married with two grown children and and she and her husband love spending time with their 3 grandchildren; Mia, Hudson, and Lincoln!
Mrs. Arroyo hails from Ecuador. She acquired her degrees in Social Science/Politics and Law from The University of Guayaquil in Ecuador. Furthermore, she is certified in the State of Maryland as a preschool teacher. She obtained her experience in teaching Spanish while working under Mrs. Vargas, Mrs. Carpio, and Mrs. Fernandez (all former Spanish teachers at St. Joseph's). In addition to teaching, she also serves as a staff member of the Extended Care Program (ECP). She looks forward to working with your children.
Mrs. Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in Educational Psychology from the University of our Savior (Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the George Washington University in Washington DC. She previously worked at Frances Fuchs ECC and was a teacher for the Ivymount Corporation for ten years, at the Ivymount School and the Maddux School.
Mrs. Moreno graduated from Bowie State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Technology in 2009. While working in the private sector, she went on to obtain a Masters of Science Degree in Information Assurance (Cyber Security) from The University of Maryland University College in 2012. In her free time, she enjoys being with family, traveling, and shopping. She is looking forward to starting a long and prosperous teaching career here at St. Josephs.
Ms. O'Brien received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Maryland. She worked as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher for 13 years. She also worked at St. Joseph's Extended Care Program. She has been teaching fourth grade at St. Joseph's School since August 2006. She was Teacher of the Year for June 2010. In May of 2013, she received the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Archdiocese of Washington.
Ms. Davis was raised in Maryland where she attended elementary and middle schools in Prince Georges County. In 1984, she transferred to a Catholic high school in Washington D.C. She fondly remembers her days, as a student, at Saint Cecilia Academy. In 1991, she and her mother opened a small group center (daycare) that successfully operated until 2018. Over the span of this position, she developed cross training about the daycare business including teaching infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school aged children. She met awesome families with whom she keeps in touch. Her love for learning about child development pushed her to study more. Thus, in 2006, she received an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Prince George's Community College. In 2015, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Washington Adventist University. There, she graduated with academic honors. Ms. Davis is continuing her educational pursuit at the Bowie State University! Over the course of years, she has taught preschool, head start and kindergarten students and appointed twice to serve on the school readiness committees at her former school. She believes God has called her to teach the very young. Therefore, she has zealously accepted the call! Ms. Davis looks forward to working at Saint Joseph's!