Mrs. Jenna Horita-PreK 3

Mrs. Horita was born and raised in Lancaster, Pa. She attended St. Joseph Elementary School and graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Elizabethtown College in Human Services, and completed her Post Baccalaureate in Early Education at Millersville University. She previously taught 3rd grade at Resurrection Catholic School.

Before becoming a teacher, Mrs. Horita worked in social work serving children and families throughout Lancaster County before the Holy Spirit guided her into Catholic education. Her background has given her a deep appreciation for the social and emotional needs of children and the importance of building trusting relationships that help students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn. Her favorite part of teaching in a Catholic school is being able to share God's love with her students everyday.

Mrs. Horita is excited to join the PreK 3 classroom at Sacred Heart! She and her husband have one son, who will be attending Sacred Heart. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family including her 2 cats, Minion and Sushi, going to the beach, gardening, and sewing. She feels truly blessed that God has led her to Sacred Heart and looks forward to growing in faith and learning alongside her peers, students, and their families.

Contact Mrs. Horita at jhorita@sacredheartsch.org.

Mrs. Daica Caine-PreK 4

Mrs. Caine was born and raised in Lancaster, Pa, and graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School before earning her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Millersville University.

She is blessed with an amazing husband, Duane (a SHS alumni) a wonderful 2-year-old son, and lovable Pit Bull Terrier, Stella. Mrs. Caine is also a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan! In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, traveling, spending time with family, and sneaking in a good nap whenever possible.

Mrs. Caine has always known that teaching was her calling. Even through the challenges, it has always come naturally and continues to bring so much joy. Her goal is not only to provide my students with a strong educational foundation, but also to help them grow into kind, confident, and compassionate individuals. She truly believes teaching is a blessing, and is honored to be part of such an important stage in a child's life. In Pre-K, we lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning, growth, and success, and Mrs. Caine is excited to be a part of each child's journey.

Contact Mrs. Caine at dcaine@sacredheartsch.org.

"My son receives personalized attention and is always excited about what he learned in school each day,"

"Mrs. Lobeck understands boys and their need to play and move!"

“She is the kindest, sweetest teacher in the world.”

Mrs. Jane Lobeck, P'03, '05, '07, '09, '10, '12, '15, '16 -Kindergarten

Mrs. Lobeck discovered her love for teaching through the prompting of her mother. Upon graduating from Millersville University, she taught for the Donegal School District. After a number of years there, she took time off from her classroom career to raise her family. As her children grew, Mrs. Lobeck remained active in teaching through Sacred Heart Church, as a preschool Catechism teacher and mentoring home schooled children and their parents. Mrs. Lobeck came back into the classroom as a long term substitute before taking on the Kindergarten classroom full time. She has been a part of the Sacred Heart community since 1989. She believes the best part of teaching at Sacred Heart is the vibrant community.

Contact Mrs. Lobeck at jlobeck@sacredheartsch.org.

Mrs. Julie Hartman-First Grade

Mrs. Hartman is a product of Catholic Education and was inspired by the Sisters when she was very young. She has known that she wanted to be a teacher since she was in the first grade.

Mrs. Hartman is a graduate of Penn State University and has a Master's degree in Elementary Education. She has taught first grade at Sacred Heart School since 1988. Prior to coming to Sacred Heart, Mrs. Hartman taught in Philadelphia, Virginia and Massachusetts. She has been teaching since 1979.

Mrs. Hartman loves children. One of her goals is to make her students feel good about themselves and to help them recognize how special they are. She helps her students to realize their God given talents and guides them in using them to the best of their ability. Her Christian values and love of teaching are evident when you enter her classroom.

Contact Mrs. Hartman at jhartman@sacredheartsch.org.

"Mrs. Hartman is gentle but, has a firm way with kids. She pulls out the best in them!"

Miss Autumn Cybulski- Second Grade Teacher

Miss C is a proud Lancaster native who attended St. Anne's School and Lancaster Catholic High School. Never imagining that she would become a teacher, Miss C originally studied engineering at the Catholic University of America. While there, she was blessed to meet the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, and entered the community in 2020.

After discerning for two years in Michigan, Miss C returned home and worked as a preschool aide at Seven Sorrows in Middletown. She credits that classroom with making her fall in love with education and setting her on the path to study education at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Before graduating, she had the great joy of student teaching second grade at a Catholic school, and she is beyond excited to be the second-grade teacher at Sacred Heart.

Along with teaching, Miss C loves anything outdoors, especially playing ultimate frisbee. In her free time, she enjoys making sourdough, working in her garden, and hiking. Miss C's favorite subjects include math and science, but she is most excited to prepare her students to receive the Sacraments. Finally, like many members of the Sacred Heart faculty, Miss C is a diehard Phillies fan.

Miss Libby Lobeck '16- Third Grade

Libby Lobeck teaches third grade. Miss Lobeck grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and is an alumna of Sacred Heart School and Lancaster Catholic High School. Before graduating from college in May 2024, she student taught in local pre-K and first grade classrooms.

Miss Lobeck comes from a large family. She is the youngest of eight siblings and has five older brothers and two older sisters. “Most people might know that because there is a good chance you have met my favorite Sacred Heart School kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lobeck, or to me, Mom,” she says. She is a proud aunt to six nieces and nephews.

As a student, Miss Lobeck played field hockey and lacrosse. “I have continued my love of these sports by becoming a coach,” she says. She previously served as an assistant lacrosse coach at Lancaster Country Day School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and is currently the head field hockey coach at LCHS. As far as other sports are concerned, “I am a Philly fan!” she says. “Making Sister Eileen proud!”

When asked why she teaches, Miss Lobeck explains, “I teach because it is an opportunity to help guide students in their educational journey as well as in their faith.” Her goal is to build up her students so that they can succeed in the future.

Miss Lobeck has a B.S. in education from Millersville University with a special focus on early childhood education.

Contact Ms. Lobeck at: elobeck@sacredheartsch.org

Ms. Paige Werkheiser - Fourth Grade

Miss Paige Werkheiser teaches fourth grade at Sacred Heart School. She grew up in Allentown, PA, and moved to Lancaster County last November. Before coming to Sacred Heart, Miss Werkheiser taught second grade at St. John Neumann in Allentown. She graduated from West Chester University in May 2024.

Miss Werkheiser has always loved working with children and creating a classroom where students feel supported and excited to learn. She spent many of her summers working as a camp counselor, where she discovered how much she enjoys planning creative activities, playing games, and making learning fun. Miss Werkheiser is excited to be teaching fourth grade again and feels so grateful to be part of the Sacred Heart community. She loves the welcoming environment and hopes every student leaves her classroom feeling inspired and strengthened in their faith.

Outside of school, Miss Werkheiser enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active. One of her favorite things to do is travel, and her goal is to visit all 50 states someday. She loves exploring new places and ways of life. When she's not traveling, you can usually find her trying new food spots and enjoying everything Lancaster County has to offer.

Contact Ms. Werkheiser at: pwerkheiser@sacredheartsch.org

Mrs. Elise Grignon - 5th Grade

Elise Grignon is a product of Catholic Education. She attended St. Leo the Great elementary school and Lancaster Catholic High School. She then earned her degree in Middle School Education from Franciscan University. She taught fifth grade at St. Leo the Great before starting her family.

She stayed home to raise her five children and used her love of teaching in many different capacities over those years. She loved running retreats and other faith filled activities for the students of St. Leo through the Spiritual Life Committee.

Since she has been called back to the classroom, Mrs. Grignon has taught 4th-8th grades. She loves reading and spending time with her family.

Contact Mrs. Grignon at: egrignon@sacredheartsch.org.

Mrs. Danielle Cox- Middle School Language Arts

As a recipient of 13 years of Catholic education, Mrs. Cox knows the value and impact it can have on a student. She attended St. Leo the Great and is a graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School. Before coming to Sacred Heart, Mrs. Cox taught middle school Social Studies at St. Leo the Great.

Mrs. Cox has always loved working with children. She creates a classroom environment where everyone is seen and has a voice. She encourages her students to always try their best, do the hard things, and know they are loved. Part of her love of teaching is the relationships she forms with her students.

“I teach because I want to create a love for learning in my students and form trusting relationships. I don’t want them to just memorize a bunch of facts, I want them to ask questions and be curious, be able to talk about important topics, and appreciate all that God has given them.”

Outside of school, Mrs. Cox enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children, all of whom benefit from a Catholic education, family and friends, reading, and staying active. She holds a BA in Psychology from Franklin and Marshall College and is currently working toward her MEd in Curriculum and Instruction through Eastern University.

Contact Mrs. Cox at dcox@sacredheartsch.org.

"She has tapped into something that truly interested my child, and used that to engage him and further his education. His love for science and literature has grown so much in the two years he has been a part of the Sacred Heart family."

Mrs. Deb Edmiston - Middle School Math

Mrs. Edmiston is impressed by the way children learn and amazed by their natural curiosity and sense of wonder at the world around them. As a teacher, she finds great excitement in playing a role in that process. After raising her own children, Mrs. Edmiston returned to college to get a degree in education. She attended Millersville University and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2007. She began at Sacred Heart that same year. The students, parents and faculty comprise a wonderful family where Christ is the center. Mrs. Edmiston’s goal is to enhance the development of the student as a whole - both spiritually and academically. Mrs. Edmiston earned an autism endorsement from Neumann University.

Contact Mrs. Edmiston at dedmiston@sacredheartsch.org.

Ms. Meghan Heary: Middle School Science & Advanced Math

Meghan Heary is the middle school science and math teacher. She was born and raised right outside of Philadelphia in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. She previously taught middle school science and math at SS. Philip & James School in Exton, Pennsylvania.

During college, Ms. Heary played field hockey. She continues her involvement with the sport as a coach for York College of Pennsylvania and Norlanco Stix Field Hockey Club. An avid runner, she has completed four half marathons and one full marathon. She is a big fan of Philadelphia sports: the Eagles and the Phillies are her two favorite teams. Besides playing and watching sports, she enjoys traveling, especially to the beach.

“I teach because I enjoy helping my students understand and appreciate math and science," she says. "Seeing them succeed and develop a love for learning is incredibly rewarding and motivates me every day.”

Ms. Heary earned a B.A. in middle level education and a minor in athletic coaching from York College of Pennsylvania. She also has an M.A. in intercollegiate athletic leadership from Messiah University.

Contact Ms. Heary: mheary@sacredheartsch.org

Mrs. Valerie Schulz, 6th Grade Integrated Language Arts P'26, P'28, P'30

Mrs. Schulz is a proud Lancaster County native and graduate of Hempfield High School, Class of 2002. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from West Chester University and later completed post-baccalaureate degree in Secondary English Education at Millersville University.

She is the proud parent of three children who have attended Sacred Heart since kindergarten, and her family has been deeply connected to the school community for many years. She has loved being a parent at Sacred Heart and is excited to begin a new chapter as a member of the teaching staff for the 2026–2027 school year.

Mrs. Schulz has a passion for health and wellness, loves arts and crafts and has a background in musical theater, which has fostered her appreciation for creativity, expression, and the arts. Mrs. Schulz is grateful for the opportunity to continue growing within the Sacred Heart community and look forward to sharing her passion for learning, creativity, and connection with students and families!

Contact Mrs. Schulz: vshulz@sacredheartsch.org

Mr. Johnny Besecker: Technology Coordinator, Technology Teacher Gr. K-8

Mr. Besecker has always had a passion for supporting and forming young people. He has served as a volunteer coach for Lancaster Catholic High School’s varsity basketball team since 2023. A proud alumnus, he graduated from St. Anne’s Catholic School in 2015 and Lancaster Catholic in 2019.

He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from St. Joseph’s University in 2023. In 2021, he founded and continues to operate the BAL, a successful adult sports league in Lancaster County. Several members of his extended family are also Sacred Heart graduates, deepening his connection to the community.

From 2016 to 2021, Mr. Besecker volunteered with the Emerald Foundation. He is also an avid Philadelphia sports fan.

Contact Mr. Besecker: jbesecker@sacredheartsch.org.

Mrs. Maria Hayes, P'87, '90, '92, '94, GP '22- Instructional Support

Mrs. Hayes is pleased to be the Middle School Instructional Support teacher at Sacred Heart School. She has been a member of Sacred Heart Parish since 1976. Mrs. Hayes and her husband Michael have four grown children and eight grandchildren.

Mrs. Hayes graduated from Misericordia University with a BS in Elementary Education. She is certified in both regular education grades K-8 and special education grades K-12. She earned her Mater’s Equivalency and a Reading Specialist from Millersville University.

For twenty-five years Mrs. Hayes was a Learning Support teacher for the Penn Manor School District. She believes God has called her to now teach at the school her children graduated from. As the Instructional Support teacher, Mrs. Hayes teaches, grades and supports children who qualify for replacement services. These are students whose skills are below grade level for reading, language arts and/ or math. She provides support services for class work, testing and school projects for students who qualify for replacement and/ or support services. Mrs. Hayes also works closely with each student’s homeroom teacher to provide appropriate accommodations and modifications so that each student can do their best work.

Contact Mrs. Hayes: mhayes@sacredheartsch.org

Mrs. Kristan Stengel, P'27, '29, '33- Instructional Support

Kristan Stengel is from Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, and a teaching assistant on the learning support team. After earning her undergraduate degree, she worked at a private boarding school for grades K-12 in Wheeling, West Virginia. In addition to teaching a creative writing course, Mrs. Stengel also served as a substitute teacher, coach, and dorm parent. After that, she returned to Pennsylvania, working as a children’s librarian at the New Holland Library in Lancaster County.

After her time at the library, Mrs. Stengel moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to attend graduate school. While in South Carolina, she was employed by an environmental education nonprofit, providing professional development to educators. Next, she served as director of marketing and communications at the Lancaster Conservancy, and then held a position at Drexel University in a professional development program for women in academic medicine.

Mrs. Stengel says, “My life’s journey keeps bringing me back around to teaching, and I am just thrilled to be back in the classroom!” For her, the feeling of watching a student understand a new concept for the first time is unparalleled.

She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with her husband, three children, and Irish doodle, Murphy. Mrs. Stengel’s husband is a Sacred Heart School alumnus, and all three of her children are current students. St. Francis is her favorite saint because of his connection to animals. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing piano, birdwatching, and spending time with her family. “I am thoughtful, open, and try my best to approach each day as a gift,” she relates.

She has a B.A. in English from Bethany College and an M.S. in environmental science from the College of Charleston. She’s presently working toward her teaching certification in special education at Millersville University.

Contact Mrs. Stengel: kstengel@sacredheartsch.org

Mrs. Samantha Corvino, P'11, '15, '19, '22- Art & Music

Mrs. Corvino began teaching at Sacred Heart in 2010 and is thrilled to be a part of our school community. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Art Education at Millersville University. Mrs. Corvino always liked being creative and knew that she wanted to be an art teacher when she met her first art teacher in the 4th grade.

She came to know Sacred Heart as a parent and her children have all attended SHS. Her favorite part of teaching is getting to know all of the students and fostering their value and confidence in their own individual creativity.

Contact Mrs. Corvino: scorvino@sacredheartsch.org

Mr. Erik Williams- Middle School Social Studies, Gym

Erik Williams hails from Myerstown, Pennsylvania,in neighboring Lebanon County. Mr. Williams describes himself as patient and dependable, traits that served him well growing up with an older sister and four younger brothers.

In college, he worked at the Lebanon YMCA and played on the football team. Mr. Williams gives credit to Fr. John Frink for mentoring him and helping him discover his career path. Under the guidance of Fr. Frink, he connected more seriously with his Catholic faith. According to Mr. Williams, "God seemed to open a door for me at Sacred Heart, and I decided to walk through it."

Mr. Williams's favorite saint is St. Joseph. "I think his small presence in the gospels can overshadow his major role and responsibility in raising Jesus," he says.

When he's not exercising or spending time with his family, you can find Mr. Williams cheering for his favorite football team the Washington Commanders. He holds a B.A. in psychology from Lebanon Valley College.

Contact Mr. Williams: ewilliams@sacredheartsch.org

Miss Annie St. Denis: Middle School Religion, Spanish teacher K, 1, Middle School

Miss St. Denis grew up in Maytown, PA. She is a graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School and holds a B.A. in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

While at LCHS, her favorite place to be was the art classroom learning watercolor and throwing clay on the wheel. During her time at Franciscan, she studied abroad in Austria, where she developed a lasting love for travel. After college, she served as a missionary volunteer teacher with The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) in a small village in Belize, Central America, where many of her students crossed the Guatemala border daily to attend school. Her years spent in Belize deepened her Catholic faith and ignited her passion for education. She later continued teaching with the SOLT community in Mexicantown, Detroit.

She has a deep love for her family, the Blessed Virgin Mary, animals, and all things creative.

Contact Miss St. Denis: astdenis@sacredheartsch.org

Mrs. Samantha McDowell, P'26, '28 : Librarian

“Miss Samantha”, as students call her, is a native of Lancaster County and spent her formative years in East Petersburg, Pennsylvania. Since joining the staff in 2017, she’s held several positions from the recess yard to the cafeteria before bringing her wit and sense of humor to the book borrowing process.

Miss Samantha lives in Millersville, Pennsylvania, with her husband, three children, two dogs, Brutus and Chewy, and two cats, Fredrigo and Cosmo. In her free time, she naturally likes to read, but also enjoys singing, cleaning, and thrifting. "I like to have fun," she says. When asked about sports, Miss Samantha says, "I couldn't care less; however, because my father raised me right, my favorite team is the Steelers."

While she didn’t expect to work with children in a school setting, Miss Samantha feels blessed that she does. In fact, Miss Samantha is a certified medical assistant and phlebotomist. "I am grateful that God took me down a path that has given me a sense of purpose that I had longed for without really realizing it," she says.

Contact Mrs. McDowell: smcdowell@sacredheartsch.org

Mrs. Amy Caromano: WIN Time Coordinator

Mrs. Caromano is a proud graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School, and after graduating, attended Cabrini University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. While at Cabrini, Mrs. Caromano met her husband, Dalton, and recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary!

Her love for teaching began long before she stepped into her own classroom. Growing up, Mrs. Caromano often went to school with her mom and had the opportunity to watch her teach. Seeing the love, care, and dedication she poured into her students inspired her from a young age. It was through those experiences that Mrs. Caromano felt the Lord calling her to become a teacher. She remembers praying that one day she would be able to make even half the impact on my students that my mom made on hers.

After graduating from Cabrini, Mrs. Caromano spent three wonderful years teaching first grade at St. John Neumann Catholic School.

One of her favorite Bible verses is, “Walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). This verse is a constant reminder that, even when life feels uncertain, God is always leading us according to His perfect plan. Mrs. Caromano strives to live by these words each day and hopes to encourage her students to trust in God’s love and guidance as they grow in both faith and learning.

When not in the classroom, Mrs. Caromano enjoys spending time with her husband, Dalton, and their English Cream Golden Retriever, Harley, and family. You’ll often find her with a Starbucks coffee in hand, working on a fun craft project, or making memories with the people she loves.

Contact Mrs. Caromano: acaromano@sacredheartsch.org

Mrs. Rose Licht: IU 13 Reading Specialist

Mrs. Rose Licht is the reading/math specialist from IU 13. This will be her 2nd year at Sacred Heart, but her 28th year as a teacher.

Before teaching for the IU, she taught in the Manheim Central School District for 19 years where she filled several different roles: special education teacher, 2nd grade teacher, 3rd grade teacher, math specialist, and reading specialist. From these experiences, she quickly found her passion for teaching reading and math.

She loves watching children’s faces light up as they unlock the code to being able to read new words, when they find a book that motivates them to want to read more, when they reach a goal in math, or when they find success after working so hard! She enjoys sharing her favorites with them, especially Dr. Seuss! She is excited to have this opportunity to get to know the students, families, and staff at Sacred Heart.

Mr. Jael Rodriguez, custodian extraordinaire

Mr. Rodriguez hails from one of the oldest Puerto Rican families in Lancaster City. He received all of his sacraments at the Catholic Church of San Juan Bautista in Lancaster, PA. Several of Mr. Rodriguez's family members graduated from Resurrection Catholic School.

Professionally, Mr. Rodriguez previously served as a custodian at Centerville Middle School. He is a proud 2022 graduate of JP McCaskey High School.

Mr. Rodriguez is an avid Washington Commanders fan. In his free time, he enjoys his Mother's cooking and spending time with his large, close-knit family and spending time with his friends.

Report abuse