MEET OUR FAMILY
Principal
Mrs. Melissa Castro
Mrs. Castro has been with MSMCS for over 25 years. Mrs. Castro holds BS in Elementary Education (1-8) and Specific Learning Disabilities from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Director of Admissions
Mrs. Judy Jamaica Saldaña
Mrs. Saldaña holds an Associates Degree in Accounting from Dallas College. She has over 15 years of experience working in diverse communities Mrs. Saldaña enjoys watching her kids play club soccer over the weekends.
Development Director
Mrs. Meg Finley
​Mrs. Finley is a graduate of Southern Methodist University (Bachelor of Music Therapy) and New York University (M.A. - Performing Arts Administration). She has experience raising funds for a wide variety of organizations. From NYC to London and back to Dallas, she has raised funds for a wide variety of organizations including Carnegie Hall, NYC Ballet, and the Catholic Pro-Life Community.
Managing Director
Mrs. Eve Mearns
Bio coming soon!
Toddler Montessori Lead Guide
Mrs. Vanessa Gurrusqueta
Mrs. Gurrusqueta has over 7 years of experience in the education arena. She’s completed her Montessori training as Lead Guide for ages 0-3 several years ago. She enjoys baking, flower arranging, reading and spending time with her family.
Children's House Lead Guide
Mrs. Ivana Abrate
Miss Abrate was born in Argentina and has over 15 years of teaching experience. Miss Abrate fell in love with the Montessori philosophy years ago with the style of education and the spiritual mission that we as educators have in the lives of children.
Children's House Lead Guide
Mrs. Cynthia Iturralde
Mrs. Cynthia Iturralde comes with experience in the Montessori education field for over 5 years. Her formal Montessori education comes from the Association Montessori Internationale and attended college at Cisco Junior College, majoring in dance. As a guide to tomorrow’s leaders, she embraces these words by Dr. Maria Montessori “Of all things, love is the most potent.”
Children's House Lead Guide
Miss Barbara Rejfur
Ms. Rejfur has many years of experience in a Montessori classroom (MEPI Certified) as well as in a traditional kindergarten classroom. Ms. Rejfur was born and raised in Poland. She graduated from the University of Lower Silesia, Wrocław, Poland with B.Ed., with major in Primary and Preschool Education including teaching English as a second language, and M.Ed. in the specialization field of Pedagogical and Psychological Counselling, and Teaching Polish as a foreign language.
First Grade Teacher
Miss Cecilia Malloy
Miss Malloy holds a BA in philosophy from the University of Dallas and AMS Montessori certification. She has taught students in every grade from preschool to eighth grade
Second Grade Teacher
Mrs. Brenda Powers
Mrs. Powers has an Elementary Education degree from Texas Tech University specializing in Early Childhood Education. She has been a MSMCS parent for 22 years..
Third Grade Teacher
Miss Melanie Zacharias
​Miss Zacharias has three years of teaching experience. She always had a desire to teach since she was a young girl. She has received her undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tarleton State University and is an active member of the Catholic Campus Ministry.
Fourth Grade Teacher
Ms. Cara Yankay
Ms. Yankay has a B.A. in English from the University of Dallas and is also a Texas State Certified Teacher for K-6th grade. She has over 20 years of teaching experience in a variety of school settings, however, she has found a home at Mount Saint Michael and wants to work here until she is 100! Her passion is teaching children and helping them discover their unique gifts and talents.
Fifth Grade Homeroom
Mrs. Veronica Garcia
​Mrs. Garcia enjoys spending time with her family and crafting things from rosaries to jewelry. She graduated from Texas Christian University. This will be her 11th year teaching. She loves building classroom community and helping students develop a lifelong passion for learning and God.
Sixth Grade Homeroom
Mr. Denver Bowden
Mr. Bowden has been in education for over 14 years in the DFW area. He has served as a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator. Mr. Bowden holds a Bachelor of Science in History from the University of Texas at Tyler. He grew up in Gilmer, TX and has a 4-year-old daughter.
Seventh Grade Homeroom
Dr. Viviana Martinez
Before becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Martinez had 6 years of experience in education, working with students from prek as well as high school students in all subjects. Teaching has always been a desire that stemmed from her hardworking parents who have been educators for over 30 years combined.
8th Grade Homeroom
Mrs. Jessica Lynch
Mrs. Lynch graduated from the University of Dallas with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. This is her 18th year as an educator, and has been part of MSMCS for over three years. Her three children currently attend MSM. In her free time she enjoys watching baking shows, cross stitching, reading, and cheering on her kids at all their extra-curricular activities.
Physical Education Teacher
Mrs. Dawn Schell
Mrs. Schell has been with MSMCS for over 20 years. She’s also a parent of MSMCS alumni. Mrs. Schell comes with years of experience in keeping our children active throughout the school day as our physical education teacher.
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Community Engagement Coordinator
Mrs. Shannyn Chance
Mrs. Chance has worked in the MSMCS Development office for 10 years. She has a B.A. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. In addition to heading up our development team, Shannyn has also been a parent at MSMCS for over 20 years.
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Athletic and Dining Director
Mr. Seth Benavides
Mr. Seth Benavides, or Mr. B., has been part of the MSMCS community for over 10 years. He attended youth groups at MSM back since 2006 until 2011. He has younger siblings that have attended/attend MSM. He loves to help where he’s needed. He’s very happy to be at MSM and serve wherever he can.
Senior Office Director
Mrs. Martha Mendez
Mrs. Mendez has been with MSMCS for over 20 years! Mrs. Mendez has been our “go to” queen for many years. She is also a former parent of our school
Children's House Assistant Guide
Mrs. Joohenn Tostado Flores
Mrs. Tostado has served as an assistant guide for our preschoolers for several years. She’s a proud mother and faithful Christian.
Toddler Assistant Guide
Miss Belinda Gutierrez
Miss Gutierrez has received her Associates of Science degree from Dallas College. Miss Gutierrez is excited to join our team and assist in our Toddler Montessori Program. She comes with the energy and passion to learn more our school and strengthen her Catholic faith.
Children's House Assistant Guide
Miss
Bio coming soon!
Catecheist
Mrs. Libby Upham
​Mrs. Upham is returning to Mount St. Michael as our Atrium Catechist. She is certified in Levels 1-3 with CGS.
Catechist Assistant
Mrs. Maria Gutierrez
Mrs. Gutierrez returns to MSMCS in a new role. Students in 1st – 6th grade will visit the library weekly. She will also provide story time to the Montessori students at times throughout the year.
Library Manager
Mrs. Rhonda Benavides
Bio coming soon!
Art Teacher
Mrs. Teresa Jones
Bio coming soon!
1st grade Teacher Aide
Mrs. Brenda Brenier
Bio coming soon!
Receptionist
Mrs. Ada Thomas
Bio coming soon!
BECOME PART OF OUR TEAM
We would love for you to be part of our family!
(214)-337-0244
Contact Us
Address
© 2021 Mount St. Michael Catholic School
(214) 337-0244 info@msmcatholic.org
• 4500 W. Davis Street
Dallas, Texas 75211