Faculty & Staff
Reverend Scott Circe
Pastor
Fr. Scott M. Circe was born in Syracuse, NY, raised in southern Louisiana and has lived in Florida since 1988. Growing up in a family of six and attending Catholic school until college, Fr. Scott first felt the call to the priesthood as a teenager. He would later enter the seminary not long after graduating from the University of Central Florida. He attended and graduated from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Orlando in 2005.
Fr. Scott received his first assignment as parochial vicar at his home parish, Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs. He has since also served at St. James Cathedral in Orlando, Most Precious Blood in Oviedo, and as Vice Rector and lecturer in pastoral formation of St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami. In July 2017, Fr. Scott received has fifth assignment as Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community.
Mrs. Yesenia, “Jesse” De Leon, Ed.S.
Principal
Yesenia "Jesse" De Leon, an educator and woman of faith embracing her Cuban / Spanish heritage is a collaborative servant leader and dedicated principal that enjoys meeting the needs of her school community. She and her husband are blessed with seven children—four sons and three daughters—ranging in age from young adult to teenager. Several of their children are pursuing advanced studies in fields such as psychology, medicine, law, and engineering, while their youngest attends a local Catholic high school. As a family, they treasure time spent at Mass, enjoying the beach, playing sports, and sharing their love of Latin music and dance.
Jesse holds degrees from Florida International University in Elementary and Reading Education, along with a Specialist in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. With over 23 years of experience in both public and Catholic education, she has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach / mentor, science research and gifted coordinator, and assistant principal. Jesse brings her deep commitment to Catholic values, academic excellence, and whole-child education into her leadership, embracing her role as principal as both a vocation and a blessing.
Mrs. Kathi Arms
Director of Student Services
Mrs. Arms obtained her undergraduate in Psychology and a Masters in Specific Learning Disabilities. Mrs. Arms has been a member of our HNJ family since 2008. During her years at HNJ, Mrs. Arms has taught Pre-K, Resource, and Third Grade.
When Mrs. Arms is not at school, she enjoys paddle boarding, reading, traveling, and her beach lifestyle on our gorgeous barrier island.
Mrs. Karen Laird
Office Manager
Mrs. Laird was born and raised in New Jersey. She moved to Satellite Beach in 1998 with her husband Richard and their twin daughters Erin and Katie. She joined the HNJ community then and never left. Her twins are HNJ alumni and she, after being an active member of the Home and School Association and the School Board, has been office manager in the school’s front office now for many years. Karen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing and a minor in psychology from Seton Hall University.
Karen’s blended family includes two wonderful loving older children in New Jersey, their spouses, and amazing grandchildren. She and Richard are blessed to have twins Erin and Katie living close by in Tampa and Orlando.
In addition to her work at HNJ, Karen also loves spending time with family, cooking and traveling with her husband.
Mrs. Nancy Easton
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Easton is married and has a daughter. She has a B.A. Degree in Business Administration from Cleary University, Ann Arbor Michigan. She has worked at HNJ in the front office for several years. She enjoys the beach, golfing, reading and needlepoint. She vacations in Michigan with her family during the summer and at Christmastime.
Mrs. Laurie Bratton
School Nurse
Mrs. Bratton grew up in Virginia and always wanted to become a nurse. At the age of 12, she started her medical career as a volunteer in a local hospital, and never looked back. She graduated from The Medical College of Virginia School of Nursing and went right into the USAF.
Mrs. Bratton was stationed in Florida, S. Korea, and later with her husband in Iceland, Texas and Virginia. Her nursing background is ICU, ER, orthopedics, school nursing and elder care.
She is married and and has two children, Allison and Forrest and many grand pets. When she’s not putting on bandaids or making ice packs for boo-boos at HNJ, she likes reading, paddle boarding, golfing and doing puzzles (crossword and jigsaw).
Mrs. Diane Duby
School Nurse
Dianne was born and raised in a small village in mid Michigan. As a child, she already knew she was born to be a nurse. After starting her family, she decided it was finally time. Her career began in an inner city hospital in Flint, MI where, much to her delight, she was challenged daily.. With the support of her family, she decided to become more active in her community and ran for and was elected to the Fenton City Council. She held that seat for 10 years. As Covid was beginning in early 2020, a family trip brought her to Disneyland. At that time, she decided she wanted to move to Florida and did so that September. Who knew life could be so amazing?! In her spare time, Dianne enjoys traveling, reading, needlework, walking the beach, and anything outdoors. She loves being a nurse at HNJ and interacting with the precious children.
Mrs. Cathy McAllister
School Bookkeeper
Mrs. McAllister was born in NJ, moved to Florida at age 9 when her father joined NASA to work on the Apollo missions. Mrs. McAllister attended Ocean Breeze Elementary, Hoover Junior High, and graduated from Eau Gallie High School and Rollins College. She holds a MS degree in Education/Administration and was certified by the State of Florida as a teacher and administrator. She was both a school teacher and a principal for over 35 years and loved her time at Park Avenue Christian Academy in Titusville. She has worked as an Office Manager and in a local CPA firm before coming to Holy Name as their new bookkeeper.
Mrs. McAllister has a strong love for the lord, was baptized at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ohio as a young child, and enjoys participating in different ministries. She served and led several mission trips both in the US and in other countries. She served 10 years in the Coast Guard Auxiliary mostly performing search and rescues in Tampa Bay and in teaching boating safety. She currently serves as President of the South Brevard Pilot Club (service organization) and enjoys helping others. She loves to travel, take a walk, read, golf, and spend time with her family and dog Bella. She is a widow, but is engaged to be married next year, and has three grown children and one grandson.
Mrs. Lindsey Roosa
PreK3 (A) Teacher
Lindsey Roosa is a PK3 teacher at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School. She and her husband have a daughter, Charlotte who also attends Holy name. As a family we enjoy pool days, the beach, and travel.
Lindsey holds a degree from the University of Central Florida in Elementary Education with endorsements in ESOL, reading, and Gifted education. She spent 8 years in the public schools teaching 3rd and 6th grade.
Mrs. Amanda Naylor
VPK4 (A) Teacher
Mrs. Naylor attended Melbourne High School, Eastern Florida State College and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interpersonal Communication at the University of Central Florida. She has has taught Pre-K 3, Kindergarten and 6th grade.
Mrs. Naylor grew up in Toledo, Ohio. She attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic School K-8th grade before moving to Melbourne. She was baptized and confirmed there. She married her husband, Billy, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in 2006. She has 2 daughters and enjoys watching them play softball and volleyball.
Mrs. Jennifer Keller
VPK4 (B) Teacher
Mrs. Keller has a BA in Early Childhood Education from Augusta State University. She also holds a current Prekindergarten/primary Education (age 3-grade 3) Florida teaching certificate. Mrs. Keller has been teaching VPK at HNJ for several years. Before Holy Name, Mrs. Keller was a Florida VPK teacher for 7 years at Eastminster Presbyterian in Indialantic, FL. and a Georgia Pre-K teacher for 3 years in Augusta, Georgia.
Mrs. Keller is originally from Columbus, Georgia and resides beachside for the with her husband and two adult children, Tyler and Haley. The Keller kids are both MCC graduates. When she is not teaching, she is playing pickleball! She also likes to relax at home with her family and spend time with friends.
Ms. Shelley Angy
VPK4 (A) Aide
Ms. Angy is a native Floridian who graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Development and Education. She is a Florida State Certified Teacher with endorsements in Reading and ESOL.
Ms. Angy enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with family and friends in her spare time.
Martha Llanga
VPK4 (4) Aide
Mrs. Heather Forsman
Kindergarten (A) Teacher
Mrs. Forsman grew up in Satellite Beach and recently moved back to the area with her family. She graduated from Satellite High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University. She is currently working on her Dyslexia Certificate from the University of Florida. Mrs. Forsman has taught for many years and has taught Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades.
When not teaching, Mrs. Forsman enjoys spending time with her family; her husband Andrew and two children, Liam and Lily. Lily and Liam also attend HNJ! She enjoys traveling with her family and every summer they try to do an extended R.V. trip together. Currently they have explored 14 National Parks and 40 states. Mrs. Forsman also loves reading, boating, and the beach.
Mrs. Apple Rowlette
Kindergarten (A) Aide
Mrs. Rowlette has been Teacher’s Assistant several decades. She loves spending time with her family and taking care of her two granddaughters.
Mrs. Rose Elam
Kindergarten (B) Aide
Mrs. Paula McGowen
1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Jane Burley
2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Burley attended Satellite High School, Eastern Florida State College and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Central Florida. She has completed the Master Teachers program with the diocese of Orlando, the Principal Discernment course, and worked with the Sacramental Program in our 2nd Grade for over 25 years. Mrs. Burley has taught first, second, and third grades.
Growing up in Satellite Beach, Mrs. Burley received her Confirmation and was married to her husband David, in 1991 at HNJ. Her children, Brianna and Andrew, both graduated from Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School.
Mrs. Burley enjoys spending her free time taking walks on the beach. Her passion is working with children and she believes teaching has been such a blessing in her own life!
Ms. Colleen Hagen
3rd Grade Teacher
This upcoming school year will be Ms. Hagen’s 34th year of teaching. 20 of those years have been right here at HNJ. Ms. Hagen has taught all grades from K-4. She is so happy to continue to teach 3rd grade as that is her absolute favorite.
When she is not teaching, she is spending time with her two adult children, Gabrielle and PJ (both HNJ alumni), her fiance Dan and their yorkie Mickey. She loves reading and walking on the beach. And every time she gets the chance, she heads to her favorite place in the world: Narragansett, Rhode Island.
Ms. Hagen is thrilled to be coming back “home” to meet a whole new generation of HNJ’s family of friends!
Mrs. Madi Thomas
4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Thomas is thrilled to be starting her professional teaching career at Holy Name. Ms. Landers is a recent 2022 graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education.
Mrs. Thomas feels so incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to teach alongside some of her closest friends and family members and she is so excited to have a great first year in fourth grade.
Mrs. Skylar Waterman
5th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Waterman was born and raised in Melbourne, FL. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida in Elementary Education in 2022, and began to pursue a master’s in general psychology before deciding she was eager to begin her teaching career.
When she is not working, she loves spending time at the beach, with her family and friends, or shopping. She is looking forward to helping students be their best selves!
Mrs. Kathi Landers
6th Grade: Middle School English Language Arts Teacher
Mrs. Landers graduated with a degree in Language Arts Comprehensive Education from Troy University. She has taught mostly middle school English and Spanish. This is her sixth year teaching Spanish at HNJ (although she has been around campus as a sub and a reading resource teacher for a total of 25 years!) She also served as the director of an educational theatre program and earned her ears working for the Mouse at Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Education Program.
Mrs. Landers is a huge musical theatre fan and enjoys volunteering at local theaters. She loves hanging out with her daughter, HNJ's fourth grade teacher, and her nieces, all HNJ alumni.
Mrs. Jennifer Grenn
7th Grade: Middle School Science/Lab Teacher
Mrs. Grenn moved to Satellite Beach in 2020 from Charlotte, NC, where she was a science teacher for many years. Her undergrad was in International Communications from Lynn University, and before leaving Florida she worked in television as a producer and director in Palm Beach County. She loves of all things science and nature pushed her to complete a Doctorate in Naturopathy.
She has three children, Jillian who is a junior at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Jackson and Jianna both at Satellite High School. She also has an awesome Australian Shepherd named Dave and a bearded dragon named Srircha. She is so happy to be able to teach in a place where we welcome God into our learning environment.
Mrs. Julie Curristan
8th Grade: Middle School Religion/Social Studies Teacher
Mrs. Lynn Minner
Middle School Math
Ms. du Mée was born and raised in St. Cloud, FL before moving to Melbourne. She attended Melbourne Central Catholic High School and graduated in 2015. She began working at Holy Name of Jesus in 2017 while going to school to get her education degree. In 2019 she joined the school as a middle school aide. After being a middle school and Kindergarten aide for three years, she graduated Western Governors University with a Bachelors in 5 through 9 Math.
Mrs. Randy Guarino
Art Teacher
Mrs. Guarino has been part of the HNJ family for 8 years, ever since she relocated here after moving around via Georgia, Delaware, and Spain. She has her BA in Studio Art with a focus on Printmaking from the college of Charleston; a Masters in Arts Education from the University of Georgia; 7 years of teaching elementary art in Georgia and 6 years of teaching middle and high school art and photography in FL. She is currently teaching hand building ceramics classes at Seagrass Pottery.
Mrs. Guarino’s family loves RVing and visiting national parks. In addition to teaching, she owns a small jewelry design business called Gilding and Steel. She looks forward to a great year of creating with the HNJ students.
Mrs. Theresa Guirola
Music Teacher
Mrs. Danielle Garcia
Spanish Teacher
Danielle Garcia is a devoted preschool teacher with over 30 years of experience, including the past 26 years in Christian early childhood education. Known for her warm, nurturing approach, she creates a loving and faith-filled environment where young children grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Danielle blends hands-on learning with Christian values, teaching children foundational skills while guiding them in kindness, patience, and respect. Her strong partnerships with families and her deep commitment to faith-based education have made her a trusted and beloved figure in the lives of countless students and parents throughout her career.
Mr. Kilpatrick
Physical Education
Mr. Alex Mitropoulos
Athletic Director
Mrs. Ann Kasch
Resource Teacher
Mrs. Kasch is in her 27th year working for the Diocese of Orlando. She has 22 years of experience in the classroom teaching grades PK-8 and 5 years as the Admissions Director for Melbourne Central Catholic High School. Mrs. Kasch is a product of Catholic school and earned a B.S. in Education from Ohio University. She enjoys working with the students at HNJ and loves to see their excitement when they experience success in their learning.
When Mrs. Kasch is not teaching, she enjoys spending time running, shopping, and traveling with her husband, Scott and daughter, Marissa, both graduates of Our Lady of Lourdes and Melbourne Central Catholic. Marissa currently attends the University of Florida.
Mrs. Patricia OKeefe
Guidance Councilor
Patricia “Patti” OKeefe is a proud BREVARD county home grown who graduated from Cocoa Beach HS and daughter of US Retired Army Colonel Keith T. OKeefe, who after his 35 years in the military commanding 3 military bases, was offered a position as Directot of Installation at NASA during the Apollo missions.
Patti grew up in a near perfect childhood with many fun activities at the beach. The youngest of 5 children coming from a blended family, her mother was from England. She spent many overseas visits to her mother’s hometown of Cambridge visiting with cousins.
Patti’s Dad, the Colonel, was a huge advocate of education having graduated from high school in New York at the age of 14, he instilled in Patti the desire to continue education after high school. Patti went on to earn 4 degrees, all in the area of education. Her mantra from her father is: “no one can ever take your education away from you.”
Patti successfully completed 40 years in public education before retiring. Primarily in Colorado but her roots started in BREVARD Public Schools. Returning to BREVARD due to family, Patti retired again from BPS but decided her faith is most important now. She she is very excited for this opportunity at Holy Name of Jesus to guide our future generation. Our children are our future.
Patti sings and shakes a mean tambourine at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Merritt Island at the 11:30 Mass. She has done music ministry for over 30 years and was blessed to sing at the Papal Mass in Denver years ago.
Patti looks forward to the start of her 45th year in education. Her door is always open!
Mrs. Ingrid Jackson
ELC Office Manager
Mrs. Jackson graduated from Berkeley College with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Mrs. Jackson has been working in the administrative field in Education for over a decade. It sort of just fell into her lap and she has enjoyed it ever since. Mrs. Jackson and her daughter recently relocated from New Jersey in July 2022. Her daughter is attending HNJ. They have finished unpacking and life is finally starting to settle so they can finally enjoy the outdoors and go to their favorite spots which are the beach or their community pool. Mrs. Jackson and her daughter are both happy and excited for our new chapters here with the HNJ family.
Mrs. Allison Komjathy
ELC 1 Year Old Teacher
Mrs. Komjathy obtained my bachelor's degree from Oakland University in Elementary Education in 2000 & then went on to obtain my masters degree in Early Childhood Education in 2008 from the University of Phoenix. She holds a professional teaching certificate in the state of Florida and has over 20 years of experience in a classroom setting and thoroughly enjoy working with children and watching them grow.
Mrs. Komjathy has been married for 17 years and is a mother to two beautiful girls. She enjoys spending time with my family, going on walks, doing word puzzles, and arts and crafts when she’s not teaching.
Ms. Heidi Haag
ELC 2 Year Old Teacher
Ms. Haag just recently moved here from Savannah this past January with her three girls. She has several years in the pre-school teaching field and looks forward to serving her community.
Mrs. Lisa Murphy
ELC Aide
Mrs. Murphy is originally from England. She began working at Holy Name’s ELC in 2020. She absolutely loves working with little ones. Watching them learning to speak and become independent brings her so much joy.
Mrs. Murphy is also a wife with three children and one grandchild. In her spare time she enjoys working in her yard.
Ms. Anna Orr
ELC Aide
Ms. Orr was born and raised in Satellite Beach into a secular family. She had a conversion experience throughout high school that lead her to become Catholic after graduating from Satellite High School (Go Scorps!) in 2020. She started attending Eastern Florida State College in Fall 2021, originally studying Video Production but has changed her major to Early Childhood Education.
Ms. Orr started working at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School Early Learning Center on Halloween 2022. She is passionate about helping children live out their faith and become their best self.
Outside of work, Ms. Orr likes to talk about the Catholic Faith and politics with her family and friends, attend Mass, partaking in Young Adult ministry activities, and hang out at home with her family and dog.