Faculty and Staff

At St. Pius X Catholic School, we know that a great education comes partly from having outstanding teachers. We pride ourselves on having a stellar faculty and staff, who are here to serve your child by providing the best academic and faith formation. Our teachers are licensed in their subject areas, and many of them hold advanced degrees or are working towards advanced degrees in their field. 
 
Father Jorge Agüera, Pastor                       
 Fr Jorge Agüera was born in May 13, 1970 in Burgos (Spain), a city on the way to St James to Compostela. He was raised in Valladolid, capital of Castile and former capital of Spain. After serving in the Army, at the age of 20 he joined the religious congregation of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and was ordained a priest in Cuenca (Spain) on March 22, 1997. He finished his studies in Rome and graduated with a M.A. in Moral Theology by the “San Dámaso” Theological College, Madrid. He first served as a priest in Madrid for 6 years, ministering to College and High School youth, as well as to families. In the Fall of 2004 he was assigned to start a new community in Falls Church, Northern Virginia, and for five years he served the Spanish-speaking immigrant communities at three different parishes in the DC metropolitan area. In the summer of 2009 he was assigned to Denver, serving first at St Mary’s parish, Littleton, and then as chaplain and teacher at Bishop Machebeuf High School. In the summer of 2011 he began to serve as a diocesan priest, first at Ascension parish, and later at Queen of Peace parish. In June 2014 the Archbishop appointed him pastor of St Pius X parish in Aurora. In all these years as a priest he has undertaken a wide variety of ministries, from College youth to families, from spiritual assistance to religious communities to ministering to immigrants, from preaching the spiritual exercises to serving as teacher and chaplain at schools. May God continue to bless his ministry among us!

Mrs. Eileen Michalczyk, Principal  
Mrs. Michalczyk has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from DePaul University, a master’s degree in school administration from Regis University, and a master’s degree in theology from the Augustine Institute. She taught for twelve years before entering school administration for the past nine years. She is passionate about Catholic education, and she firmly believes that our mission as Catholic educators is to support parents in helping their children grow in the faith, form a relationship with Jesus Christ, and get to Heaven someday!

Mrs. Cindi Marchese , Office Administrator
Mrs. Marchese manages the financial transactions for the school, including scholarships, tuition, and incidental expenses. She also works to support teachers, students, and parents with day-to-day needs. Mrs. Marchese worked for St. Vincent dePaul Catholic School for twelve years before coming to St. Pius X. She was a classroom assistant and a middle school administrative assistant during that time. She also has a bookkeeping background and has worked in various office settings
 
Mrs. Leticia Hernandez, Administrative Assistant 
Mrs. Hernandez has been part of the administrative team for more than fifteen years. She is the face of the office team and assists our Spanish speaking families. She coordinates the school office activities, and assists all members of the community with their needs.

Mrs. Deann Aquino, Preschool & Pre-K  Teacher                   
Mrs. Aquino has been at St. Pius as our preschool and pre-k teacher for more than ten years, and has been a teaching since 1989. She holds a degree in early childhood education and teaches our mixed preschool and pre-kindergarten class. She does an excellent job preparing students for continued education by introducing them to the foundational skills needed to progress in their schooling.

Mrs. Cathleen Tranchetti, Pre-K Aide 
Mrs. Tranchetti is very excited about joining the St. Pius X team. She is a mother of five, with one student, in 7th grade. Serving others is very dear to her heart. She looks forward to assisting in the afternoon preschool class, helping the children learn to love God and their Catholic faith.

Mrs. Jackie Morales, Pre-K Aide
Mrs. Morales has worked in Catholic education for more than 5 years. After working in the front office for four years, she is now returning to work in preschool. Mrs Morales has had  previous experience working in a preschool and is excited to be part of the preschool staff! She loves working with students and helping them grow closer to God. She is also a mother of 2 students that attend St. Pius X. 

Mrs. Marla Kloepfer, Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Marla Kloepfer is new to St. Pius X Catholic School, after teaching at St. James in Denver for six years. Marla is a graduate of Arizona State University, and holds a BA in Early Childhood Education, and a BA in Dance.  Mrs. Kloepfer has taught Preschool through Eighth Grade for eighteen years.  She grew upin Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where she enjoyed her primary years in Catholic education.  “Receiving my first Sacraments with my classmates, and learning in a faith-filled environment are vivid memories that bring me to St. Pius X.  I am blessed to have had loving teachers who nurtured my relationship with God, and I want to be that kind of teacher for my students.” Mrs. Kloepfer is passionate about helping her students reach their goals, sharing the Gospel, and integrating the arts into all content areas. Marla, her husband Paul, and their daughter Julie Rose love exploring the natural beauty of Colorado. Mrs. Kloepfer is looking forward to sharing God’s love and her talents with our families and staff this school year.

Ms. Eileen Czapla-Haslam, First Grade Teacher
Ms. Czapla-Haslam comes to us with many years of teaching experience in Aurora Public Schools.  She has been a classroom teacher and a music teacher for grades K-8 over the years.  She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Chadron State College, and a master’s degree in arts and curriculum from Lesley College.  She brings great experience to our primary team.

Mrs. Kendra Bissonnette, Second Grade Teacher
Mrs. Bissonnette has been an educator with the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools for 13 years. She has been teaching at St. Pius X for the last 11 years. Mrs. Bissonnette taught fourth grade, fifth grade, and middle school during her first five years at St. Pius. She has spent the last six years teaching second grade. Mrs. Bissonnette has a strong knowledge of education at all levels and she brings great experience to our primary team. She loves teaching second grade because she helps prepare the students for their Sacraments. Mrs. Bissonnette has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Colorado State University. 

Mrs. Erin Thielke, Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Thielke is our fifth grade teacher and is returning to teaching after spending time in the last years subbing and home schooling. She has taught at St. Therese and Our Lady of Loreto. Mrs. Theilke has a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and art from Western State University. She works hard to help our fifth graders prepare for their transition to middle school!

Ms. Olivia Chambers, Fourth Grade Teacher
Ms. Chambers is originally from Houston, Texas and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana Lafayette. She is excited to help students come to love and grow in academics and the Catholic faith.
 
Mrs. Rebecca Martin, Fifth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Martin has been a stay-at-home mom for the last four years. Before that, she taught middle school math at Good Shepherd for three years. Mrs. Martin has a passion for teaching in Catholic schools, and is so excited to prepare St. Pius's 5th graders for middle school! Mrs. Martin has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado.

Mr.Paul Buchholz, Middle School Social Studies and Language Arts Teacher
Mr. Buchholz is a dedicated Catholic educator who has taught in the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools for the last fifteen years instructing middle school social studies, theology, science, outdoor education, writing, and language arts. He has a bachelor’s degree from Regis University in history and a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in comparative world history. He has been working with our middle school team for the last seven years and is very committed to his vocation as a parent, husband, and Catholic educator. His passion for learning about God’s creation and salvation history is something that he wants to pass on to every child at St. Pius X Catholic School for his/her eternal happiness.

Mrs. Sharon Tracy, Middle School Literature Teacher  
Sharon Tracy is now in her 9th year of teaching, and her third year here at St Pius X Catholic School. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN, where she graduated Magna cum Laude. She also holds a Master of Arts Degree in History from Roosevelt University. She is passionate about literature and wants all her students to excel in their reading abilities. 

Mrs. Loretta Shekleton, Middle School Math and Science Teacher 
Mrs. Shekleton began her time at St. Pius as a long-term substitute teacher and found, to her immense surprise, that teaching was the most professionally satisfying thing she had ever done. She loves her time in the classroom and she is grateful for the amazing team of teachers she gets to work with every day. Mrs. Shekleton has a bachelor's degree in political science and has worked in the hotel industry as well as on a couple of small business ideas. She earned her teaching certificate in secondary math through the alternative licensure program. She loves fast-paced unexpected nature of teaching middle schoolers every day. When she is not teaching, planning, or grading, she is a voracious reader who dabbles in gardening, sewing, and baking.

Mrs. Heidi Wilson, Middle School Theology Teacher
Mrs. Wilson comes to us after teaching at St. James Catholic School for the past few years. She has a master's degree in theology from Franciscan University where she also earned her bachelor's degree also in theology. 
 
Mrs. Carol Tufano, Literacy Tutor 
Mrs. Tufano has retired from teaching for us full time for the past 35 years!  She will be working part-time as a literacy tutor, helping students in classrooms with reading and writing support.  We are so grateful to have Mrs. Tufano still with us in her new part-time role!

Mrs. Patricia Haven, Math Tutor
Mrs. Haven has been a teacher, substitute, and math tutor at St. Pius X. She is returning this year as a math tutor, supporting teachers in developing students’ math skills. She works with students at all levels to help them understand and expand their foundation and abilities in mathematics.

Mr. Bruce McClaran, Physical Education Teacher             
Mr. McClaran has been the PE teacher at St. Pius for more than 30 years.He served as Athletic Director for 25 years. He brings a passion for lifelong physical health to the students he works with. He has high expectations for his students, and he supports them to reach those expectations. The students thoroughly enjoy his classes!

Miss Olivia Benz, Art and Music Teacher
Miss Benz graduated from Benedictine College a year ago with a degree in art education, but she was also highly involved in the music department and college/community orchestra. After teaching elementary art for a year, she is excited to help students grow in their love of beauty and creativity and have the opportunity to share her passion for the arts with their strong connection to the Catholic faith.