Specialty Teachers

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 36 years.  They are members of St. Mary of Sorrows Parish in Fairfax. They have five children and one adorable granddaughter. 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 twenty-second 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 47 years have been St. Ambrose parishioners for 36 years. She has two grown sons. The oldest is married with 2 sons in Maryland, and the youngest is married with one daughter, living in New York.  That leaves only her 12 year old 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 enjoys reading to her grandchildren!

Sarah is not new to St. Ambrose.  She is a past PTO President, Room Parent, Religious Education Assistant and Parishioner. She and her husband, Bill, have one daughter who attends St. Ambrose.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Providence College and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Saint Mary, she is thrilled to be able to apply some of the skills she learned while homeschooling, student teaching and in her painting, sculpture and art history classes to bring a cohesive picture of art, faith and learning to all the artists who attend St. Ambrose.

In her spare time she enjoys, writing, travel, cooking, an occasional 5K race and time spent with her family which includes a Vizsla.

Dr. Andrei Pidkivka, has been critically acclaimed in the United States and Europe as the preeminent performer and educator.  As an educator, Dr. Pidkivka presented workshops and master classes throughout the United States, Asia and Europe and performed as a soloist and a guest musician with numerous symphony orchestras.  Performances include the Columbus Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Pittsburgh Symphony.

For the past twenty years he taught general music, flute, recorder, clarinet, saxophone and coached a variety of chamber groups in private and academic settings.  He holds a Doctorate of Music Arts Degree from Michigan State University.  His extensive collection of world instruments, from archaic to modern, encompass a wealth of knowledge and great possibilities.

Dr. Pidkivka’s East European background and extensive world music research keep him in demand as a maker of folk instruments and a recording artist.  He has multiple appearances and performances on recordings in support of soundtracks for Broadway, Disney, The Lord of The Rings, Medieval Times.  In 2020 he holds a Grammy award as a producer for the best soundtrack for the HBO series “Chernobyl.”

Mrs. LaBarge is excited to join the St. Ambrose School community this year! She will be working in the St. Augustine Resource Center with Mrs. Aneliz Sipe. Realizing that all children are created by God with unique gifts and learning styles, they work in collaboration with the classroom teacher and parents to support academic growth in a one-to-one or small group setting.

Mrs. LaBarge has over 15 years of experience in the Arlington Diocese as an elementary classroom teacher and Preschool Music/Instructional Assistant. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and is currently enrolled in the Catholic School Leadership Program at Marymount University pursuing a Master’s of Education in Administration and Supervision. Mrs. LaBarge is an IMSE Certified Orton-Gillingham tutor.

Mrs. LaBarge grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. She is married and has three sons and a rescue dog. Her granddaughter, Hailey Marie, is the apple of her eye! As a wise bear once said, “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” (Winnie the Pooh). Her favorite pastime is being with her family. She is a huge sports fan and enjoys reading, gardening, yoga, and music. She feels truly blessed that her journey has brought her to this “small school with a big heart.”

I am a native of Northern Virginia and a cradle-born Catholic. I attended Seton High School in Manassas and graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and History. I am currently discerning the priesthood with the Diocese of Arlington. When I am not teaching, I enjoy training my puppy, going on hikes, camping and spending time with my family and friends. I am overjoyed and excited to have been welcomed into this vibrant and close-knit St. Ambrose Family. Thank you for having me! 

After graduating from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, I taught algebra to students from 7th-12th grade at Lincoln International Academy in Managua, Nicaragua. Upon returning to the states, I accepted a physical education teaching position at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Annandale and taught there until I left to start a family,  11 years later.

When my children were older, I returned to teaching and feel very blessed to be a part of the St. Ambrose community and look forward to having a fun-filled year teaching your children.