Mrs. Patricia Cummins has been teaching Spanish at St. Ambrose Catholic School since the fall of 2002. In 2010, she received the Diocesan Middle School Teacher of the Year Award. She loves the warm, spiritual atmosphere at the school and the enthusiasm the students bring each day.
Sra. Cummins received a BA in Spanish and French as well as a MA in Spanish Language and Literature from Boston College. After studying in Spain and France, she went on to teach at Boston College and the University of Maryland, European Division. She worked in the kindergarten and preschool/handicapped programs for the Department of Defense schools overseas and after relocating to Fairfax, Va. as a substitute teacher for Fairfax County Schools.
Sra. Cummins and her husband Brian are originally from Boston and have been married for 32 years. They are members of St. Mary of Sorrows Parish in Fairfax. They have five children. As an Army family, they have traveled and lived in many places, most notably, Germany, Korea and England. Exploring other cultures is a favorite activity.
In her spare time, Sra. Cummins volunteers with various service organizations, most recently the USO and the Boston College Alumni Association. She enjoys walking, reading, sewing and learning about new places.
This is Mrs. Healy’s eighteenth year as St. Ambrose School’s librarian, following three years as the kindergarten aide. She was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and received her Bachelor of Education degree from The University of Virginia. She taught second and third grades for eight years in Albemarle County, Virginia. When her sons were born, she retired and was a regular room mother and library volunteer through their elementary school careers.
Mrs. Healy and her husband of 43 years have been St. Ambrose parishioners for 32 years. She has two grown sons. The oldest is married with 2 sons, and the youngest just got married this summer. That leaves only her corgi “puppy” at home to keep her and her husband company!
Mrs. Healy’s love for children’s literature led her to the St. Ambrose library. She read to her boys daily when they were young, and is passionate about the importance of parents sharing books with their children every day. Now she looks forward to reading to her two grandsons!
Mr. Howard has worked as a PE Teacher/Athletic Director for over 8 years in Portland, Oregon, San Francisco-Pacifica, California, Miami, Florida and now here at St. Ambrose. He earned a Masters Degree in Sports and Fitness Management from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelors Degree in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University in Miami.
Coach Howard has been coaching goalkeepers and field players and directing very successful soccer teams for various soccer clubs throughout the Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia area and conducting soccer camps for 32 years in Washington, DC, Texas, Florida, California, Oregon, Pennsylvania and internationally. He has coached at all levels and all age groups. Throughout his career he has coached numerous men’s and women’s and boys’ and girls’ teams on to district titles, regional titles conference titles and state and national championships. He is recognized by the United States Youth Soccer Association and the United States Soccer Federation as one of the top Goalkeeper Coaches in the United States.
Mr. Howard says, “It is always my goal to integrate faith and sports for the children, instilling in them that we have to trust in our ability to do our best with our God-given talents and appreciate what we are blessed with on a daily basis.” Also, “I enjoy being a great positive role model for the children by showing them that I am fair, caring, positive, [and that I] show good sportsmanship and always keep Christian principles in mind.”
I live with my husband, 4 young adult children and Chihuahua, Maybellene. We live in Mclean in Saint John the Beloved Parish, where we have been active parishioners since relocating to Virginia in 1989. In 1979 I received a B.S. in Biology from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and in 1981 completed the Physician Assistant program at Hahnemann Medical School’s College of Allied Health Professions (currently part of Drexel University) in Philadelphia and became certified.
I am delighted to be part of the fantastic team of faculty and staff at Saint Ambrose School. This is my second year supervising the Health Clinic. This year I will be working additional hours at the school – teaching Health to grades K – 5 and as Director of Saint Ambrose Extended Day Program. I am blessed to be given these additional responsibilities and I look forward to serving this wonderful school community’s students and their families this year.
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.
Mrs. May and her husband Jim have been married for 28 years and have 5 children ages 25 to 11. Their family has been privileged to attend Catholic schools in the Arlington diocese for the past 19 years. They have been members of the St. Ambrose School and community for 11 years.
Mrs. May graduated from James Madison University with a teaching degree in special education. Through graduate work at UVA, ODU and GMU, she earned certifications to teach children with varying intellectual, learning and emotional abilities in grades K-12. She has been a classroom teacher for 15 years. She has taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels in the Virginia Public School system in Greene County, Newport News, Charlottesville, and Fairfax County. When she is not teaching she enjoys being with her family and friends, exercising and cooking.
Mrs. May has been involved in various school activities throughout her teaching and parenting careers. She coached High School track and sponsored the student government; coached CYO basketball and track; taught CCD and has been a room parent. She has been trained in mentoring new teachers and in implementing school wide character education programs. As a classroom teacher and mother to five children, she shares a broad perspective in advocating for the student, parent and family needs in our school community.
As a Resource teacher at St. Ambrose, Mrs. May is available to provide guidance and assistance to teachers, students and parents so that the individual learning needs of all students can be addressed. She coordinates the Leveled Readers Program in the lower grades. She also holds lunch bunch groups for students. Mrs. May works with students, teachers, parents, volunteers and public schools to provide an opportunity for each student to access the support necessary to reach his or her full academic potential.
I love music and have a passion for sharing it with my students. My mission is to communicate my enthusiasm and passion for music to my students. I want them to learn the importance of appreciating, understanding, and communicating so they will create music in their own self-expressive ways.
Some information about me:
B.A., Music, with an instrumental music education concentration, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
20 years music teaching experience including:
Performed with the 257th Army Band “The Band of the Nation’s Capitol”
Performed with Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra
As an artist, performed and recorded seven full-length products and toured nationally for seven years.
St. Ambrose Catholic School
3827 Woodburn Road, Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 703-698-7171
Fax: 703-698-7170
St. Ambrose School admits students of any race, color, and national origin.
