Faculty

St. Philomena School Faculty

The teaching faculty and support staff are dedicated to supporting high achievement by implementing various teaching strategies, differentiated learning structures, best teaching practices, and summative and formative assessments. Further, they are committed to having a positive home/school partnership that is built on effective communication and mutual trust and respect. The school’s faculty and staff are professionals who keep current with up-to-date staff development in academics, religion, and annual Safe Environment refresher courses, and yearly First Aid/CPR training.

Mrs. Meghan Hoyer – 8th Grade Homeroom and Literature, Algebra, Geometry, 6-8th Grade science

Mrs. Hoyer has been teaching for 24 years, 22 of which have been at St. Philomena. Meghan graduated from Central Washington University with a B.S. in Math/Science Education and a B.A. in Elementary Education. Meghan has been married to her husband Nate for 17 years. They enjoy golfing together, are Seattle Kraken season ticket holders, and avid travelers. She likes to get up in the air at least once every year and has a goal to go to every continent…three down…four to go! When asked what she likes about her job she said, “I absolutely love going to 6th grade environmental ed. camp and watching my students explore the world around them!”

Mrs. Shannon Foster- 7th Grade Homeroom, 6th-8th Grade Social Studies, 6th Grade Math, 7th Grade ELA

Mrs. Foster has been teaching middle school for ten years. This is her sixth year teaching at St. Philomena. Shannon came to Washington from Kentucky, but she grew up in Texas. She has been married for 20 years and has three children, two of which graduated from St. Philomena. Mrs. Foster returned to college after the birth of her three children, and she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Thomas More College (a private, Catholic University in Northern Kentucky). She received her BA in Elementary Education and Middle School Studies with a focus on English/Language Arts and Social Studies. She taught social studies and English/Language Arts at both private and public schools in Kentucky. Shannon loves teaching, and feels blessed to be a part of the St. Philomena community.

Ms. Melissa Tarabochia- 7th & 8th Religion, 8th English and Librarian

Melissa Tarabochia has been a member of the St. Philomena community for over 40 years; as a student, parent and teacher. Melissa graduated from St. Philomena in 1985, Kennedy Catholic High School in 1989 and Eastern Washington University in 1984 with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. Melissa has spent her entire teaching career in Catholic education. Melissa started at St. Philomena in first grade and has been a member of the community ever since. Both her children continued the tradition by attending St. Philomena School. Her daughter Lucy graduated from Western Washington University in Spring of 2021 Her son, Emmett, will be starting his senior year at O'Dea High school. She is an avid reader who shares her love of good books with the entire school community (even the parents). She also enjoys camping in the summer, scrap-booking and attending as many Mariners games as she can.

6th Grade Homeroom, 6th English, Math 1, Resource Teacher

Mrs. Katy Korzeniecki has worked at St. Philomena School for the past seven years. Graduating from Central Washington University in 2009 with a degree in elementary and early childhood education, she started working at St. Phil's as the Title I/Resource teacher. While taking on different roles over the past several years including teaching library, she currently has taken on the role of 6th grade homeroom teacher and 6th grade writing while continuing to also teach middle school math (Math I). The rest of the time she coordinates the Title program while also being a resource teacher. Having grown up in the Des Moines area, Mrs. Korzeniecki is married to a St. Philomena alum (Matt) and has two children, Bailey (5th grade) and Colton (2nd grade). In her spare time she loves to read and spend time with her family. Mrs. Korzeniecki loves teaching and being a part of the St. Phil community!

Mrs. Christina Barton – 6th Grade Religion & Literature

Mrs. Barton is a Kennedy Catholic High School and Gonzaga University graduate. While at Gonzaga University, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Special Education, and later a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. She taught 9 years in Special Education at middle school level in public school setting before coming to St. Philomena Catholic School. Mrs. Barton took some time off to start a family, subbed in the interim, and then held the Title 1 position for St. Philomena School before becoming the 6th grade teacher in 2012. She is married to love of her life, Kieran, for 23 years and is blessed with three amazing gifts from God: Nickolas (16), Charlotte(13) and Bennett(5) She loves being with her family, all things outdoors and cheering for her favorite athletes- her children. She feels very fortunate to be able to share her faith and Catholic values with the school community and truly teach the whole child.

Mr. Tyler Evans- 5th Grade

This will be Mr. Tyler's sixth year of teaching here at St. Philomena. Tyler was born and raised in Federal Way, Washington and has lived in the state his entire life. He is a proud alumni of St. Philomena and loved the school so much that he decided to come back and teach here! He graduated from Kennedy high school, he completed his B.A. in Psychology from Western Washington University, and his Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. . He is a huge fan of both watching and playing all sports, and roots for the Mariners, Cubs, and the Eagles. His favorite subject in school has always been writing and that is the subject he most enjoys teaching as well. His favorite part of the job is getting to know his students, creating a positive and exciting classroom, and trying to make all students enjoy coming to school every day.

Mrs. Teri O’Connor – 4th Grade

Teri celebrated her 25th year of teaching last year, and all of those years have been at St. Philomena! She has taught 5th grade, P.E., Resource, and is now enjoying her 14th year in 4th grade. Mrs. O’Connor earned her B.A. in Special Education and teaching certificate at Central Washington University. Teri is married to her high school sweetheart, Patrick, and they are the proud parents of Jordan (23) and Dylan (19). Teri loves teaching all subjects, however religion, science and math are her favorites. When asked what she loves about her job she said, “I love watching the students grow in their faith, learning that even at their age they can make a difference in this world by, "Doing small things with great love!" - Mother Teresa. I love watching them explore and make discoveries that surprise them and excite them about learning!”

Mrs. Amy Apthorp – 3rd Grade

This is Amy's 23rd year teaching! Of those 23 years, this will be her 16th year teaching third grade! Amy earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree from Central Washington University with a Major in Early Childhood Education and Minor in Elementary Education. She earned her Masters Degree from City University in Educational Technology. In addition to St. Philomena, she has taught in the Highline School District, All Saints Catholic School in Puyallup and Holy Rosary Catholic School in Tacoma.
Amy and her husband, David, have been married for 23 years. They live in Federal Way with their daughters Paige (18)and Lauren (16). Paige and Lauren are graduates of St. Philomena! Amy has lived in the South Seattle area for most of her life. She attended St. Francis of Assisi School in Seahurst as a child for grades K-8! Catholic Schools have been a big part of her life as a student, teacher and parent.
"I love working in partnership with families to help their children grow academically, socially and spiritually."

Miss Karen Constantino- 2nd Grade 

Miss A’ndria Salcedo – 1st Grade

This will be A’ndria Salcedo’s 19th year of teaching, all of which have been at St. Philomena School! She was born and raised in Federal Way, Washington. A’ndria graduated from St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School and John F. Kennedy High School. She has earned her A.A., B.A. and Master’s Degree in Education from Central Washington University. A’ndria is an avid traveler who loves to learn about different cultures. She also enjoys staying physical fit by going to the gym, snowboarding, sailing, hiking and playing a variety of sports. A’ndria also loves to read and listen to old time radio shows. Miss Salcedo’s loves teaching all subjects but Reading, Cursive and Religion are her favorites. When asked what her favorite part of her job is she said, “I love seeing the students eyes light up when they have learned something new and it’s clicked for them.”