Our Faculty and Staff . . .

All of Emanuel Lutheran School's teachers are certified in their area of instruction. Most hold Master's Degrees and have been teaching, on average, for 10 or more years. Teacher assistants are presently assigned in Nursery through Second Grade.

Our entire faculty and staff are dedicated to sharing their love for the Lord with parents and students. And, they are committed to working together with parents to provide a quality Christian education for the children in their care.

 

Lori Lee Joerz has been principal at Emanuel Lutheran School since the year 2000 after teaching 6th grade and serving as Assistant Principal. She taught Preschool for 4 years before that . Mrs. Joerz figured that if could teach 3, 4, and 5 year olds that she could do anything! Being called to Emanuel was coming home for Mrs Joerz. She was a student and attended church at Emanuel a LONG time ago. Her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Fucci and her second grade teacher and principal, Mr. Albert had a huge impact on her own teaching career. She visits with both of them this day and is grateful to God for putting them in her life.

Mrs. Joerz attended Concordia College in Bronxville, NY. She earned her BA in Education and her Lutheran Teaching Diploma. She received her MA from SUNY Stony Brook. Mrs. Joerz was called to her first teaching position at Suffolk Lutheran to teach 6th grade. After teaching for several years, she stayed home to be with her daughter, Alyssa. She and her husband, Jeff agree that it was the best three years with one old car and no money that they ever spent!

Serving in a Lutheran School is a call that Mrs. Joerz has chosen to follow because she has a passion for sharing the saving message of the Gospel. It is her greatest joy when children and their families share in the peace that is found only in God's loving grace.

Mrs. Joerz likes to read books, study the Bible, crochet and paint. She collects tea cups and other antiques. And of course everyone knows who her favorite singer is. If you need a hint, just ask a "Wise Man"; he'll "Say"! Her two favorite places to visit are the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the beach. She and Alyssa go swimming in the ocean as often as they can. Spending time with her friends and family is a high priority. They like to play games and go out to dinner.

Looking back over her life, she can see the opportunities that God put before her to experience so that he could work His plan in her life. She is especially thankful for parents who, at great sacrifice, sent her to Parochial Schools, her daughter who graciously puts up with being the"principal's kid" and to her husband who is a wonderful partner in ministry and in life.

Mrs. LaSorsa is currently the sixth grade taecher at Emanuel, She previously taught fourth grade, and is also a member of the church. She lives in Centereach with her husband, also a teacher.

She received her BA from Dowling College and a Masters in Education from Hofstra University (with honors). Mrs LaSorsa continued with post master credits at Dowling, and currenty co-advises the student council of the school with Mrs. Haufe, and has coordinating the year book for 2005. In 2005 she was the Lutheran School Association U.S.A. Rookie Teacher of the Year.

She is a member of the New York State Reading Association and of the Reading Specialist Council, she attends Mounthly meeting to keep current and learns new trends in education.

Mrs. Norman taugh sixth grade at Grace Lutheran, Malverne, NY for five years. At that time she graduated Hofstra University with a MS in reading and worked in their clinic.

Denise first came to Emanuel as a special education consultant working with students, parents, and teachers while pregnant with her second child. Three years later, she returned to work full time as the reading teacher replacing Ruth Nettleton who retired. Alongfor the ride from Deer Park was her daughter Dana, who was cared for by Cindy Macaloom, and then attended Emanuel's nursery class with teacher Mrs. Joerz. daughter Kristen came the following year when there was an opening in the second grade class.

Denise has been very involved throughout her ten years at Emanuel. She has spent time leading Brownie, Junior, and Cadets Girl Scout Troops, helping to coordinate school book fairs, author visits, and the accelerated reading lidrary programs.

Working among such wonderful professionals and delightful children is an incredible blessing. Other blessings and honors inculde being selected as Lutheran Teacher of the Year in 1999, ad Who's Who Among America's Teachers 2003-2004, and again in 2004-2005. She has also served as co-president of the Reading Specialist Council of Suffolk for 2004 and 2005.

On a personal note, Denise enjoys worshipping at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Dix Hills where she current serves as a Sunday School co-superintendent and sits on the Parish Life Education and Youth committees. She also enjoys camping, hiking, visiting national parks, gardening, spending time with her family and reading of course.
Mrs. Shaddix has lived on Long Island since 1981 and began teaching at Emanuel Lutheran School in 1995. Before moving to Long Island she was certified and taught in three other states. Mrs. Shaddix was born in Texas and received her Bachelor of Science Degree at McMurry University. She earned a Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a specialization in Teaching Learning Disabled, at Virginia Tech. Mrs. Shaddix currently teaches 5th Grade, and was named Lutheran School Association Teach of the Year for grades 4-8 in 2001.

Mrs. Shaddix and her husband, Edwin, have two daughters - Virginia, an Elementary Library Media Specialist, and Barbara, who works for the Dr. Pepper division or Cadbury Schweppes. Mrs. Shaddix's special interests include reading, outdoor activities and travel.

Dana Mullally teaches third grade. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Special Education. I am also an Army Veteran. This is my fourth year teaching at Emanuel and I love every minute of it. I live with my husband Sean, and my two dogs, Rosco and Bailey.

Katie Ricciadi teaches English Literature for the Middle School at Emanuel Lutheran. I have attended Christian schools all my life and believe it is a vital part of a student's education and well-being. I graduated from St. Joseph's College with my Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Education. I am currently working on my Master's degree in English literature at Stony Brook University. Teaching poetry and Shakespeare are some of my favorite things about being an English teacher. I also enjoy teaching students writing skills, as it is an imperative aspect in English class and in society. Middle School students are a blessing to teach and each is unique in their own special way. It is amazing to see them shape who they are and develop into young men and women of God. I am blessed to be a part of Emanuel Lutheran's staff and enjoy sharing God's love with His children.

Miss Rogers This is Miss Rogers second year at Emanuel. She is the resource room teacher and is trying out preschool this year as well! Besides working at Emanuel, she works at a library as a teacher doing parent-child programs. She is also currently going back to school for her master's degree in early childhood special education at St. Joseph's College. Miss Rogers is the cheerleading coach and loves being a part of Emanuel Lutheran School! Go Saints!

Mr. Birnstein This is Mr. Birnstein's second year, here at Emanuel. Mr. "B" is no stranger to the Emanuel faculty and staff. He served as our fill in Pre-School teacher last year, and was blessed with his own Kindergarten class this year. Mr. Birnstien holds a Bachelors of Misic from Berklee College of Music and a Masters of Science in Education from Long Island University/C.W. Post Campus. In his spare time Mr. Birnstein enjots Misic, Movies and outdoor camping with Mrs. Birnstein.