Middle School

Mrs. Patricia Kiernan is a native of New York City, where she taught Grades 4 & 5 in the Diocese of Brooklyn for 12½ years and earned her Master of Science degree in Education.  After moving to Springfield, Virginia, Mrs. Kiernan worked as a substitute teacher in the Fairfax County Public Schools and overseas at an international school, before becoming the 6^th grade homeroom teacher at St. Ambrose Catholic School.  She taught Grades 5 & 6 Math, Science and Language Arts before switching over to the middle school grades.

This is Mrs. Kiernan’s 15th year at St. Ambrose Catholic School.  She currently teaches Grade 6 & 7 Math, Grade 8 Pre-Algebra and Grade 6 Science.   She serves as the middle school chairperson and the acting assistant principal, performing administrative duties as needed.

In her spare time, Mrs. Kiernan enjoys traveling with her husband, as well as movies, reading and solving Sudoku & Numbrix puzzles.  She makes frequent trips to South Carolina to visit her daughter, son-in-law and two young grandchildren.

The kids call me Miss. B., but the truth is that I’ve been happily married for five years now and am really Mrs. Greshock!  I am the proud mother of two young sons – James and Ethan.

I was born and raised in Pennsylvania where I received my Bachelors degree in English and Education at Kutztown University. I moved to Virginia eight years ago and have been employed at Saint Ambrose for just as long. I am the 7^th grade homeroom teacher, and teach Literature and Language Arts to all the middle school classes.

Literature is my passion – I love to read and write. I believe words are the most powerful tools we have, and I plan on teaching my students how to use them properly. Anyone who knows me (including my kids) knows that I’m also crazy about grammar. I tell my students all the time that grammar takes guts, and I expect a lot of them when it comes to speaking and writing properly. I encourage creativity through various projects, and my two favorite things about the school year are the 6th grade Greek Festival and the 7th grade trip to Gettysburg.

Lastly, I’m a huge sports fan. I expect all my students to cheer for Penn State, the Steelers, and (of course) the CAPS!!

Mrs. Kimberly Brox is a graduate of Iowa State University.  In addition, she is a military spouse and a mother of three children, ages 9-21. This is her first year teaching at St. Ambrose.  She has taught both as a classroom teacher and professional tutor in the subjects of math, social studies, and religion.  When she is not teaching school she loves to travel, go to museums, visit antique stores, attend parish activities, to garden and to cook.

Mr. Michael Thieman is a native Virginian. He is a proud husband and father, brother of three siblings and an uncle to many nieces and nephews as well as a godfather. He and his wife Laura have been married for 11 years and counting.  They have three children attending St. Ambrose and one slowly rising kindergartner (in two years!).

Mr. Thieman is honored to accept a teaching position at St. Ambrose!  He earned his Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and his Master’s degree from George Mason University.  He brings over twenty-five years of public and private sector experience to St. Ambrose.  His professional experience, including telecommunications, public policy, business planning and development, renewable energy and sustainable crop production, offers a unique and real-world foundation for teaching middle school Science and Technology.

In his spare time, Mr. Thieman enjoys climbing trees, playing sports and building creative things with his children, gardening, cooking, analyzing and developing innovative technology applications and creating business financial models.  He is a classic movie fan and enjoys cooking.  He is a life-long learner and is passionate about his Catholic faith and his family.

Michael Burkhardt grew up in Florida, where he met his wife Ann.  They have five children, ages 10-22.  Michael has taught middle school math in Pensacola, Florida before moving to Virginia.  Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in Transportation and Logistics and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.  He has over 25 years in private sector experience, starting his first successful business immediately after graduating from college.  He has been a business mentor and advisor for over 10 years.  Helping people improve is his lifelong passion.  His commitment to people is illustrated by his years of teaching, coaching and mentoring.

When Michael is not teaching, he enjoys time with his family, coaching or attending family sport events, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, gardening and reading.

I am Colleen Nevius, and I teach Algebra 1 in the Middle School. I hold a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University, am a retired Naval Officer, and am the mother of three. My work in the Navy as a helicopter test pilot inspired my move to the classroom. I believe it is critically important that all students trust in their ability to master mathematics, and I learned that mathematics are best mastered when they make sense in the context of the learner’s life. I work hard to make the mathematics relevant to my students, and to have some fun in the process.