Faculty and Staff

Sister JoAnn Ashburn, OP graduated from the prestigious Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles, CA. She majored in Mathematics and double minored in Philosophy and Theology. Sister JoAnn has taught for more than 35 years grades 1 -12 with the majority of the years spent teaching junior high level. In addition to teaching, Sister JoAnn has also coached several sports including: volleyball, basketball, softball and track. She is even in the CYO Coaches Hall of Fame. Sister JoAnn has been teaching at St. Catherine’s Academy since 2005 and has enjoyed every minute of it. During her free time, she enjoys fishing, camping and indulging in a good mystery book. Expertise Areas: Mathematics, Philosophy and Theology Year Started: 2005 Degrees: Major: Mathematics; Minor: Philosophy; Minor: Theology Professional Interests: Teaching Experience: St. Catherine's Academy 2005-present

Katherine Borrelli is the Chief Financial Officer of St. Catherine’s Academy. Since 2005, she has been responsible for all school financial operations and reporting. She also oversees the human resources administration and is a point of contact for risk management and IT services. Katherine appreciates the opportunity to make a positive difference at St. Catherine’s and enjoys helping everyone from staff, Sisters, students, and parents. She currently sits on St. Catherine’s Finance Committee, Investment Committee, Facilities Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and sits as a staff member on the Board of Directors. She is a member of NBOA (National Business Officers Association) and CSUF Alumni Association. Katherine, and her husband, William, enjoy traveling, gardening, and spending family time with their adult children, Mark (Rosie) and Britney (Luke), and new granddaughter, Aria. Expertise Areas: Accounting, Finance, Human Resources Degrees: Master of Business Administration-Concentration in Finance - California State University Fullerton;Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration -Concentration in Accounting California State University Fullerton Experience: Chief Financial Officer, St. Catherine’s Academy 2005 to present;Chief Financial Officer, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce 2000 to 2005;Accounting Manager, Superior Group Industries 1990-2000

I graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, and Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Multiple Subject teaching credential. I have taught for twenty years at both the elementary and middle school level. I have been at St. Catherine’s Academy since 2011. I am a product of Catholic schools myself, and I believe strongly in the value of a Catholic education. I thoroughly enjoy helping students develop a love of learning and discover who God meant them to be. In my free time I enjoy cooking and spending time with my husband and three children.

I am a lifelong learner, and I have continued my education throughout my 30-year teaching career. After receiving a BA in Psychology and a Multiple Subject teaching credential, I began teaching at St. Joseph Catholic School in Placentia, a school I attended as a child. I continued my teaching career at Mission Parish School in San Juan Capistrano where I taught a variety of grade levels. I continued my education and received an MS in Education with a concentration in Reading, and began working as an Adjunct Professor of Reading, and a Reading Instructor in the Academic Reading Center at Saddleback College. I especially enjoyed working with students who were learning English as a second language, so I continued my education once again and received a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. After spending 15 years teaching Reading and ESL at the community college level, I returned to my roots as a Catholic School Teacher and began teaching English Language Learners (ELL). I am so happy to be part of the wonderful community and family here at St. Catherine’s Academy, the very best school for boys! I enjoy working with students, sharing my Catholic faith, and sharing my passion for reading, writing, and learning. My interests outside of school, include gardening, yoga, cooking, and spending time with my family. Expertise areas: Reading, Writing, English Year started: 2017 Degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, and Master of Science, Education with a concentration in Reading, California State University Fullerton; California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential; Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate, University of California, Irvine. Experience: St. Joseph Catholic School, Placentia (1987-88); Mission Parish School, San Juan Capistrano (1988-1992, 1994-1999, 2008-2010); Saddleback College (1999-2017).

Hello, I have worked for the Diocese of Orange for twenty years. The last two I have been blessed to be at St. Catherine’s Academy. Four of the twenty years I also served as full and part time Vice Principal for the schools I worked out. I earned my BS at Cal State Fullerton and went to work for the Community College District. I worked in the Admissions Area, Records Area, was Liaison for the Fire and Police Academies and finally served as a supervisor in the Admissions and Records area. I had always wanted to teach, but life kept getting in the way. Finally, after a disappointment I realized God was telling me it was time. I went back for my fifth year and earned my teaching credential at Concordia University in Irvine. Upon receipt of my credential I taught for 13 years at St. Columban Catholic School in Garden Grove, then went to St. Pius V in Buena Park and finally here at wonderful St. Catherine’s. Since earning my BS, I graduated from Loyola University with my Master’s in Educational Leadership. I also earned a certificate in Catholic School Administration from Loyola University. I am married to a wonderful man who has supported me through all this craziness. You may see him around since he loves to work with the SCA drum majors. God blessed us with one daughter who earned her Doctorate degree at 24 years of age in Physical Therapy. She got married to a great young man who is also in Physical Therapy. During my free time, which seems to be getting less and less, I sing with the Bishop’s Diocesan choir, tutor, paint and read.

I have served as athletic director and physical education teacher at St. Catherine’s Academy since 1999. I am a graduate of St. Catherine’s Academy, Servite High School, and California State University, Fullerton with a B.S. Degree in Child Development. I believe in and instill four major factors for being successful in our athletic program. These factors are desire, dedication, discipline, and determination to produce a winning program. I believe that winning is not just based on having the highest score, but on what the cadets learn and how they play the game. Sportsmanship is a key element in the SCA program. St. Catherine’s athletes play with honor, integrity, and sportsmanship. These are all qualities that I learned as a student athlete. As a teacher, I have the good fortune to pass them on to our cadets. Year Started: 1999 Degrees: BS in Child Development - CSUF

I am a product of a Catholic school education from 1st grade through graduate school, and it is responsible, along with the wonderful example of my parents and older brothers and sister, for forming me into who I am today. I have a great desire to serve others and to help children grow intellectually, build self-confidence, and most importantly, form a relationship with God. In keeping with the Dominican charism, I am called to help my students build community, acknowledge ministry, pursue study, and embrace prayer. I believe that each child is a gift from God and possesses his own gifts and talents. My desire is to see each child realize these gifts and use them for the better of our world. During my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am a devoted follower of Notre Dame football, enjoy reading all sorts of literature, and exploring new places to hike. I am blessed to be a part of the Dominican family at SCA. Year Started: 2012 Degrees: Bachelors of Arts- University of Notre Dame; Master of Arts in Education- University of Notre Dame; Teaching Credential- State of Indiana;CA Clear Credential - Multiple Subject Experience: St. Catherine's Academy, 2012- present; St. Rita Catholic School, 2008-2012

I am a product of Catholic school education and I want to give back to the Catholic community that they gave to me. I’ve been teaching for 20 plus years in the Catholic school community and have enjoyed the many children who have touched my heart. I attended Long Beach State University for my undergraduate work and Loyola Marymount University where I received a master’s degree in Catholic School Administration. I am currently working on my Doctorate in Education from Concordia University, Portland. I have been teaching at St. Catherine’s Academy since 2010. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, biking along the beach, and spending time with family and friends. Year Started: 2010 Degrees: Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Experience: St. Pius X Parish School, St. Joseph High School, St. Catherine’s Academy

I graduated from Cal State Long Beach in 2007 with a BS degree in Liberal Studies. Since then I have taught k-6th grades in Garden Grove and Santa Ana Unified School Districts. During that time, my husband and I were blessed with our first child and I spent the first two years of her life as a stay at home mom. I have been a part of the St. Catherine’s family since 2016 teaching 5th grade. I have a firm but fair teaching philosophy and I try to create an environment of collaborative learning to my classroom. I enjoy the challenge of molding young minds and hope to instill life long learning in my students. Year Started: 2016 Degrees: Bachelors of Arts- Cal State Long Beach; Teaching Credential-Cal State Long Beach; CA Clear Credential - Multiple Subject Experience: St. Catherine's Academy, 2016- present

My name is Tanya Tschombor, and I will be your child’s teacher. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with your child and watch him learn and grow. I have enjoyed teaching the little ones for the past 24 years in which I taught Transitional Kindergarten, pre-kindergarten, preschool, first grade and kindergarten. I previously worked at a school in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles where I taught kindergarten and worked as the ECE Director of the schools Early Childhood Education Program. In addition to that I was a teacher liaison for PTO and helped with Marketing. I attended Beatitudes of Our Lord School and worked there for two years as a kindergarten and 2nd grade instructional assistant along with being the school’s cheerleading coach. I graduated from St. Joseph High School in Lakewood. I received my degree in Child and Adolescent Studies from the University of La Verne and have my Early Childhood Education Teacher and Site Supervision Director Permits through the State of California. I also have had numerous children's activities published in Mailbox Teacher Magazine Resources and Head Start Workshops. My goal as an educator is to provide a safe and loving learning environment where children feel free to share their unique abilities and God-given talents. I believe children learn through hands-on, interactive activities where they can work collaboratively with one another.

Mrs. Maria Turrietta graduated from Escuela Normal Superior de Hermosillo in Sonora, Mexico, and also studied abroad at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Maria began her teaching career in 1988 at Instituto La Salle in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. She began working for St. Catherine’s in 2006 and has thoroughly enjoyed her teaching experience with the Dominican Sisters, students, and staff. Some of her hobbies include: hiking, traveling, trying new restaurants, and caring for her Shih Tzu dog. When asked what she likes best about her job, Mrs. Turrietta responded, “It is a real blessing to come to work in a place that feels like home and have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of my students.” Year Started: 2006 Degrees: Bachelor of Science - Middle School Education with a concentration in English; State of California Clear Credential: CSULB – Single Subject: Spanish

Sister Johnellen Turner, OP. is the Administrator of St. Catherine’s Academy. Since 2007, she has been responsible for the daily operations and instructional leadership of SCA. Her goal is to ensure that all students are supervised in a safe Catholic learning environment that meets the school’s mission and philosophy. Sister Johnellen believes that each child brings his/her own gifts and challenges and we help each child to be the person they were meant to be and to be proud of that. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Immaculate Conception Academy and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. Sister Johnellen is a huge fan of the Dodgers and was blessed with a beautiful family. "I live in gratitude each day for God’s love and direction." - Sister Johnellen Turner, OP Expertise Areas: History, Theology, Education, Administration Year Started: 2007 Degrees: Masters in Pastoral Theology from Notre Dame University in Belmont, CA.;Bachelor of Arts in History from Holy Names College, Oakland;Certification or Masters Certification in Religion: Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Diocese of Orange, Archdiocese of San Francisco, Diocese of Oakland Awards: Distinguished Principal of the Year Award - National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Experience: Principal/Adminstrator: St. Catherine's Academy- Anaheim, CA;Principal: St. Edward- Newark, CA;Principal: St. Anthony- San Francisco, CA;Principal: Our Lady of Mount Carmel- Montecito, CA;Principal: St. Callistus- Garden Grove, CA;Teacher: St. Ignatius- Los Angeles, CA;Principal: St. Callistus- Garden Grove, CA;Principal: St. Elizabeth- Oakland, CA;Associate Superintendent: Diocese of Oakland, CA;Director of Sponsored Schools: Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose- Fremont, CA