New Faculty Members at SJP

We are pleased to welcome the following new faculty/staff members to our Saint Joseph Prep Family:

Ms. Michele Becker (Latin): A recent graduate of Boston College with her BA in Classics and Secondary Education, Ms. Becker will teach all of the sections of Latin (Levels I-IV) and assist in the Social Studies Department. Passionate about the Classics, and particularly about the study of Latin, Ms. Becker spent a semester in Rome at the John Felice Center associated with Loyola University of Chicago, immersing herself in the ancient world. Ms. Becker has pre- and full-practicum experience at Brighton HS, BC High, Waltham HS, and most recently at Boston Latin. A singer and a runner, Ms. Becker is excited to get involved in our after-school activities, and we are thrilled to have her lead our Latin program.

Ms. Mee Byun (English): Another recent graduate of Boston College, with her BA in English and Secondary Education, Ms. Byun will teach in our English Department, likely having sections of Freshman Writing and both 9th and 11th grade Literature. Ms. Byun’s pre- and full-practicum training included Newton South HS, Boston Latin, and Brighton HS (for both).  A leader with the BC InterVarsity Asian Christian Fellowship program, Ms. Byun is looking forward to sharing her faith and her spirituality with our community. Fluent in Korean, Ms. Byun minored in both Bi-Lingual Education and Theology. It is obvious that Ms. Byun genuinely shares our mission, and we are so pleased that she is joining our English Department.

Ms. Katie Scorza (History): A veteran Social Studies teacher with eight years of experience, Ms. Scorza is deeply passionate about the study of history. With her BA in History from Wellesley College and her MA in Early American and U.S. History, Ms. Scorza is an expert in the field. Ms. Scorza began her teaching career at Newton Country Day School, and she is returning to the Boston area by way of St. Paul's School for Girls in Brooklandville, MD. Ms. Scorza will be taking over the AP US History and the AP Government and Politics courses and teaching other sections of history. A diver and a musician, Ms. Scorza is deeply committed to Catholic education; we are blessed that she will be sharing her many talents with us.

Mr. Cory Olcott (English Chair): With a wealth of experience in different schools, from the classroom to administration, from curriculum design to faculty coaching and mentoring, Mr. Olcott is the ideal person to lead our English Department. In addition to serving as Chair, Mr. Olcott will teach AP Literature as well as 10th and 12th grade Literature. Mr. Olcott has his BA in English Literature from Northwestern, his MA in English from Stanford, and his EdM in School Leadership from Harvard.  Mr. Olcott comes to us from Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School, having taught previously at Woodside Priory School (CA), Phillips Academy Andover and Dexter & Southfield School. Mr. Olcott has already begun working with the English Department!

Harshal Patolia (Chemistry): A skilled instructor with a wealth of subject-specific training and related-professional background, Mr. Patolia joins our expanding Science Department. Mr. Patolia will launch our AP Chemistry course (the AP scores of his former students are most impressive) and teach both Honors and CP Chemistry. Mr. Patolia has his BS in Pharmacy from the University of Pune (India) and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Western Sydney (Australia). Yes, Mr. Patolia is well traveled; he comes to us from the Sun Prairie School District in Wisconsin and, most recently, from Lake Mary Prep in Florida. Mr. Patolia is now putting down roots in Boston, bringing his boundless passion for education to SJP.

Mr. Joseph Sheehan (Theology): With a Masters in Theological Studies from the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College as well as a BA in Philosophy from BC, Mr. Sheehan will be teaching both Theology and Psychology. Committed to Catholic education and trained in the Jesuit tradition, Mr. Sheehan is excited to experience the spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the connectedness of our SJP Family. Highly recommended by the Roche Center for Catholic Education at BC, Mr. Sheehan has worked in a variety of settings—from university and public school outreach programs to Catholic middle and high school. Mr. Sheehan is passionate about faith formation and looks forward to joining our community.

Mr. Jeffrey Glozzy (Art): Mr. Glozzy has just earned his MA in Studio Art Teaching from Boston University, during which time he did his student teaching at Walpole HS and Weston Middle School; Mr. Glozzy has a BA in Communications from Villanova University. In between his undergraduate and graduate days, Mr. Glozzy honed his excellent interpersonal skills by working in sales and marketing with Gotham City Hospitality, Tronex International, and The Renaissance Network. A life-long artist with experience a variety of mediums (i.e., drawing, painting, photography, and graphic design), Mr. Glozzy is passionate about developing a culture of the arts and excited to bring his many talents to the classroom.

Ms. Francine Davis (Theatre Director): Ms. Davis is very happy to be joining the SJP community as the director of the Phoenix Players’ fall and spring shows. A theater enthusiast since her youth, Ms. Davis has been involved in Boston-area theatrical productions as an actor/director for over 20 years. Her directing credits include: Gaslight (Winchester Players); Nickel and Dimed (Theatre To Go), and most recently, Tom Stoppard’s Dogg’s Hamlet, Cahoot’s Macbeth (Belmont Dramatic Club). Her more than 100 acting credits include title roles in Saint Joan (Piccadilly Theatre Company) and The Taming of the Shrew (Roxbury Outreach Shakespeare Experience); and Oscar, the Royal Guard, at King Richard’s Faire. This fall, in addition to directing Arsenic and Old Lace for the Phoenix Players, she will be directing Romeo and Juliet for the MIT Shakespeare Ensemble. Ms. Davis received her B.A. from Williams College and then studied for two years at Cambridge University, England, as the recipient of a Herchel Smith Fellowship.