As the seasons start to change and the classrooms fill with new and returning students, a few new faculty faces have been added to the mix that we call the Mooney family. These new faculty and staff members include David Paige, Lisa Jones, Eric Bode, Andre Repucci, Kelly Barley, Sierra Billhimer, and Michele Bova. Reporters of The Beakon had the opportunity to sit down with many of these new educators to get the scoop on who they are as individuals and as teachers.
Mr. Paige
David Paige is the new Modern World History and social studies teacher and is also the assistant football coach for the Mooney Cardinals. He is a father of three, with two of his sons, freshmen Camrn and Adyn Paige, here at Cardinal Mooney.
He was inspired to go into teaching because he realized that he wanted to help students achieve success, not just in athletics, but in academics as well. He enjoys coaching and teaching because it gives him the opportunity to build relationships with students and inspire them on the field and in the classroom.
In his free time, Paige enjoys playing basketball, golfing, binge watching TV shows, and hanging out with his boys.
Paige was inspired at a young age by his drama teacher, Mr. Guntry, who helped him with public speaking, and his high school language arts teacher who helped him learn how to navigate different demographics. Always motivated to inspire young people, he wanted to share this thought with the readers of The Beakon: “Take every day as an audition for the rest of your life.”
He was inspired to go into teaching because he realized that he wanted to help students achieve success, not just in athletics, but in academics as well. He enjoys coaching and teaching because it gives him the opportunity to build relationships with students and inspire them on the field and in the classroom.
In his free time, Paige enjoys playing basketball, golfing, binge watching TV shows, and hanging out with his boys.
Paige was inspired at a young age by his drama teacher, Mr. Guntry, who helped him with public speaking, and his high school language arts teacher who helped him learn how to navigate different demographics. Always motivated to inspire young people, he wanted to share this thought with the readers of The Beakon: “Take every day as an audition for the rest of your life.”
Mr. Bode
Eric Bode is the school's new history teacher. He has 3 people in his family, which include his mom, dad, and brother. One little known fact about Bode is that he lived in Montenegro for 10 months. He worked for a Christian service organization to establish that organization at the main college campus.
Some of his hobbies are running and reading. He attended Miami University and went to Strongsville for high school, which is near Cleveland.
When asked about his inspiration to become a teacher, Bode said, “Caring about students as people, loving to learn, and wanting to make learning more enjoyable for students.”
He became interested in social studies by liking the concept of history as a whole. Bode believes that history is important in our lives and that is satisfied through good lesson plans and having a good teacher.
Some of his hobbies are running and reading. He attended Miami University and went to Strongsville for high school, which is near Cleveland.
When asked about his inspiration to become a teacher, Bode said, “Caring about students as people, loving to learn, and wanting to make learning more enjoyable for students.”
He became interested in social studies by liking the concept of history as a whole. Bode believes that history is important in our lives and that is satisfied through good lesson plans and having a good teacher.
Mr. Repucci
Andre Repucci is the new Italian, physical education, gaming, and health teacher. Repucci has 5 members of his family, which include his mom, dad, brother, and sister. He will be getting married in October of 2021!
Repucci has had many jobs including NSA Intelligence Analyst, which he performed for four months; he was also in the seminary for a few years. He attended Ursuline High School, YSU, and Lee Catholic University in Washington DC.
One fun fact about Repucci is that he had a professional soccer tryout when he was in his early twenties. What inspired him to become a teacher is to provide the younger generation with wisdom and to help them with their future plans. Repucci picked Italian because he actually went to Rome and spoke the language for a few months and also studied it in high school and college.
When asked what the ideal teacher is to him, Repucci said, “Relating to the young generation and walking with them through their tough times.”
Repucci has had many jobs including NSA Intelligence Analyst, which he performed for four months; he was also in the seminary for a few years. He attended Ursuline High School, YSU, and Lee Catholic University in Washington DC.
One fun fact about Repucci is that he had a professional soccer tryout when he was in his early twenties. What inspired him to become a teacher is to provide the younger generation with wisdom and to help them with their future plans. Repucci picked Italian because he actually went to Rome and spoke the language for a few months and also studied it in high school and college.
When asked what the ideal teacher is to him, Repucci said, “Relating to the young generation and walking with them through their tough times.”
Ms. Barley
Kelly Barley is the school’s new guidance counselor. For the first seven years of her life, she lived in Mooresville, North Carolina then moved to Salem, Ohio where she has lived until just a month ago. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Mount Union then attended Youngstown State University where she received her masters degree in school counseling.
In her free time, she likes to play volleyball (which she also coaches), spend time with her family, and binge watch shows on Netflix. Two little known facts about her are that she can juggle and that she twirled batons competitively. In fact, she can even juggle batons that are on fire!
She wants everyone to know that she has a lot of passion about being a school counselor, and her students will get her best self. She became a school counselor because she wants to make an impact, inspire students, and help students be the best version of themselves.
When asked what qualities she believes an ideal counselor should have, Barley said, “An ideal student counselor is someone who tries. It is also someone who puts their heart into every student no matter how difficult the situation may be. A school counselor is a student’s supporter but also their challenger. And this is something that I and the Cardinal Mooney guidance counselors are striving to do for all of their students!”
In her free time, she likes to play volleyball (which she also coaches), spend time with her family, and binge watch shows on Netflix. Two little known facts about her are that she can juggle and that she twirled batons competitively. In fact, she can even juggle batons that are on fire!
She wants everyone to know that she has a lot of passion about being a school counselor, and her students will get her best self. She became a school counselor because she wants to make an impact, inspire students, and help students be the best version of themselves.
When asked what qualities she believes an ideal counselor should have, Barley said, “An ideal student counselor is someone who tries. It is also someone who puts their heart into every student no matter how difficult the situation may be. A school counselor is a student’s supporter but also their challenger. And this is something that I and the Cardinal Mooney guidance counselors are striving to do for all of their students!”
Ms. Billhimer
Sierra Billhimer is the other new guidance counselor and math teacher at Mooney. She has a huge love for sports and played college golf at a division one school. She even worked for ESPN for a period of time.
She attended Stow Munroe Falls High School and went to Niagara, Coastal Carolina, and the University of Cumberlands for her degrees. She lived just south of Myrtle Beach for 10 years.
What inspired her to become a guidance counselor is that she enjoys working with students and helping them with their college choices. That's why Mooney is a great fit for her.
Billhimer said, “I am excited to be at Mooney and to inspire the students to reach their full potential.”
The ideal guidance counselor for her is someone who can help students succeed and help them through their problems.
She attended Stow Munroe Falls High School and went to Niagara, Coastal Carolina, and the University of Cumberlands for her degrees. She lived just south of Myrtle Beach for 10 years.
What inspired her to become a guidance counselor is that she enjoys working with students and helping them with their college choices. That's why Mooney is a great fit for her.
Billhimer said, “I am excited to be at Mooney and to inspire the students to reach their full potential.”
The ideal guidance counselor for her is someone who can help students succeed and help them through their problems.
Mrs. BovaMichele Bova is the new secretary this year! She has three people in her family: her husband Frank and two children Maria and Geno. They also have a dog named Brutus. She likes to cook, to attend her children’s functions, and to be with her family. She went to Boardman High School and YSU. She chose to work at Mooney because she said it was time for her to get a full time job, and her son is attending Mooney. |
Read about the staff that joined us last year |
Ms. Jones
Lisa Jones is the new science teacher. She was unavailable for an interview, but we send best wishes to her and her family’s new addition. We look forward to seeing her when she returns!
This year’s new faculty additions bring a lot of passion to the Mooney Family. The Beakon staff and the entire student body would like to extend a warm welcome; we look forward to seeing you in the halls!