Education BS in Computer Science, Loyola University Chicago
Favorite Saint St. Helen
Fun Facts
I didn’t realize that I was an educator until I was already doing it. I went from attending summer camps to working as a teacher’s aide at a Girls Who Code summer program during college. While at Loyola, I helped found a Girls Who Code program for middle school students. And, when I returned to Seattle after graduation, I assisted at St. Alphonsus during COVID with students who needed in-person instruction.
Now I work as the extended care supervisor and will be the morning half-day preschool aide. I think kids are fun and interesting and never boring. My mom likes to say that I wanted to grow up to be a kid!
My hobbies are watching hockey and baseball, reading, and playing games with my friends, and I love trying new foods and going to the movies.
Maureen “Mo” Mershon has been teaching acting and directing musicals and plays at St. Alphonsus since 2022. She trained professionally at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York and has extensive experience as an actress, singer, and dancer. Mo earned her Actor’s Equity card at age 19 and has performed in musicals, plays, and cabarets across the country.
Before joining St. Alphonsus, Mo served as the Drama Director at Bishop Blanchet High School for 17 years. Under her leadership, the program earned the Top High School Theatre Award in the Northwest, recognized for its professional-quality productions and sequential acting and technical theatre curriculum.
Mo has also taught and directed at UCLA, North Seattle College, and several Seattle-area Catholic schools, including St. Anne, St. John, St. Matthew, St. Benedict, and O’Dea High School. She brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and passion for the performing arts to her students.
Education Degree in Design for Film & Television from Vancouver Film School (B.C)
Favorite Saint Teresa of Avila
Fun Facts With a background in design, art direction, and film production, I’ve always been drawn to the power of imagination and how it fuels learning. Coming from a family of educators, pursuing a path in early childhood education feels like a natural extension of my values—and a meaningful way to bring creativity into a space where wonder, exploration, and faith are nurtured. I’m especially inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, which celebrates each child’s unique voice and innate curiosity.
Outside the classroom, I love spending time with my Shetland Sheepdog, Robin, painting, traveling, exploring the outdoors, and enjoying live music with my fiancé.
Education Early Childhood Education teaching certificate, Bellevue College
Favorite Saint St. Nicholas, patron saint of children
Fun Facts Carissa and her kids crossed the water from Bellevue to Seattle in 2022. She resides in Phinney Ridge with her husband Gary and their four kids combined as well as one dog, one cat and five chickens! Carissa studied Early Childhood Education at Bellevue College and loves being a mom and a preschool teacher. Carissa and family are huge Disney Park fans. She and her family enjoy spending time outside walking, biking, hiking and gardening. You may see her walking around Green Lake sometime!
Education BA in Biology, College of the Holy Cross
Favorite Saint Saint André Bessette
Fun Facts I’m passionate about helping students build confidence and curiosity in STEM. What I love most about teaching middle school is supporting students as they explore big ideas, ask thoughtful questions and grow into independent thinkers. In college, I played Division I ice hockey and discovered a love for marine biology through hands-on research. Outside the classroom, I enjoy rollerblading, weightlifting, hiking and reading Greco-Roman classical literature.
Education BA History, University of Arkansas
MAT Secondary Education, University of Arkansas
Favorite Saint St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Fun Facts I began my teaching career in 2015, and I love helping students think critically and experience those exciting “ah ha!” moments in the classroom. My goal as an educator is to instill a lifelong love of learning and reading in every student I teach.
What is your educational background?
I earned a BA in Japanese with College Honors, along with minors in Dance and History, from the University of Washington. I also hold a JD and an LLM in Asian and Comparative Law from the University of Washington School of Law, as well as an MAT from Seattle Pacific University School of Education.
Did you study abroad?
Yes, my education was enriched by studies abroad in Japan, Italy, Chile, and Sweden.
What inspires you as an educator?
I am passionate about creating a vibrant community where students can be active, creative, and strong. I bring my diverse experience in certificated elementary teaching, law, and research science to help students thrive.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I love dance, outdoor exploration, and sports. Spending time in nature with my family is one of my favorite activities.
Do you have any favorite conversation topics?
Yes! I’m always excited to talk about what you’re planting, the music you’re enjoying, and your favorite animals. (Mine are the octopus, hippopotamus, and wombat!)
Sarah has been with St. Alphonsus for several years now, coming to us from San Antonio with her family. Her two older children have been attending St. Alphonsus since they moved to Seattle and her youngest will join our school community soon. Sarah brings with her a wealth of experience in public school working with a wide variety of learning styles and environments. She has rich experience planning lessons, developing programs, and collaborating with other teachers/specialists to encourage growth in all students. Sarah loves exploring the Pacific Northwest with her family and enjoying all the fun activities that the area offers throughout the year.
Education BA in Art History, University of Washington
MEd in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in Special Education
Favorite Saint St. Francis
Fun Facts I’ve been a teacher for more than 25 years. I love learning new things, and I love helping others get excited about learning. Four of my nieces and nephews graduated from St. Al’s. They’re thrilled that I’m joining the St. Al’s family. (I graduated from St. Matthew School in Seattle many years ago). I love any sports that involve water – swimming, stand-up paddling, and even a little bit of surfing! I owe my love of sports to CYO – I played every sport I could when I was in grade school. I also love to travel. I’ve spent a lot of time in Italy, and on three of those summer trips I volunteered with a project in Pompeii. Archaeology was my first career choice when I was younger, and working in Pompeii was a dream come true!
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
We chose St. Al’s because we desired a school that not only had a strong academic curriculum but also one which focused on values such as Compassion, Generosity, Respect, etc. Educating the full child was important to us and we felt St. Al’s reinforced what we were morally and spiritually working to teach her within our home. We were also attracted to how diverse the student body was and the incredible community the school fosters both on campus and off.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
I love how happy my daughter is when I pick her up and drop her off. She loves the academic and social environment and loves being a member of the St Al’s student body. As a parent I also love seeing how much she has grown intellectually over the past 4+ years at the school. The teachers really care for each individual student and she has flourished each year through the care her teachers take in understanding what she needs in-order to continue to succeed.
Contact this Parent Ambassador
terrapurpura.hakam@gmail.com
St. Alphonsus Students
Lucy (’23)
Emma (’25)
Addy (7th grade)
Extracurricular Involvement
Soccer
Volleyball
Softball
Drama
Girl Scouts
Basketball
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
Our family choose to make a switch from SPS to St. Alphonsus in 2021 and it has become a huge blessing. In midst of Covid and with concerns about the academics for our daughters, we were prompted to explore school options and discovered the St. Als community. We were attracted to the school based on the academics, the small class sizes, and the values, including upholding behavior expectations. All of these benefits have been realized with so much more.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
Our girls love St. Al’s, the commitment from their teachers and the new friendships with classmates. The academics have challenged them and when needed, they have received extra support from St. Al’s teachers/staff. Our girls, surprisingly, appreciate wearing uniforms to school as it makes the mornings so easy with one less decision/choice. They have had opportunities to try new clubs (chess), CYO sports and to pair up with younger class buddies as the school extends from Preschool through 8th grade. We all appreciate the community activities including the auction, Bingo nights, Halloween at school and more. We are relishing in our final year all 3 of our daughters will be together at St. Al’s.
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
When looking for a preschool for our oldest son, we hoped to find a school where our Catholic faith would be reinforced and enriched in the classroom. Finding a school that could also help him excel academically beyond preschool was a secondary goal. St. Alphonsus was both, and so much more. Within the first month at St. Al’s, it was evident that we had found a school that not only embraces the richness of the Catholic faith, but also encourages students and their families to reach their full potential in a welcoming community.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
There is so much to love about St. Alphonsus! I love how our students know each other and are friends across all grades. I love how unmistakably our teachers and staff care for the students and their families. I love how our parents support each other and work together to make the school the best place it can be. And I love that St. Alphonsus is a place where our faith is celebrated and strengthened. Lots of schools have good academic programs and good faculty and staff. But not every school has a great culture and community. We feel very blessed to be a part of a school that has all those things and a rich legacy of faith and academic excellence for over 100 years. We feel loved by the St. Alphonsus community, and we love them!
Contact this Parent Ambassador
mhanzeli@gmail.com
St. Alphonsus Students
Edwin (Pre-K)
Simon (1st)
Extracurricular Involvement
Room Parent
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
We initially chose St. Al’s because we had friends who spoke highly of the school, and the preschool had a part-time option that fit our care needs. We stay at St. Al’s because our kids are thriving emotionally and academically, the teachers are patient and knowledgeable, the staff is kind and helpful, and we are impressed by the dedication and vision of the school’s leadership.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
The school community. Our family has felt seen and valued from the very beginning of our St. Al’s experience. Now, a few years and a second kid later, we’ve learned how important it is for a school to enable and encourage meaningful connections. That includes volunteering at one of the school’s many events (our family favorites are Jog-a-thon and Trunk or Treat), talking with a teacher about our kids’ achievements and development, attending a school theater production with our kids, or having a conversation with other parents after family mass.
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
While looking for a faith-based institution for our child and being a parishioner at St. Alphonsus, it was an easy decision to make. St. Al’s has a great community which was apparent in the first few tours/visits. And we found a curriculum that met the needs of our child well.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
Warm community of families, supportive teachers, and faith centric education that enhances the spiritual side of the child along with great academics.
Contact this Parent Ambassador
kavita961@gmail.com
St. Alphonsus Students
Moira (’14)
Maggie (’18)
Mimi (’20)
Joe (8th grade)
Extracurricular Involvement
Science Club
Room Parent
CYO Cross Country volunteer
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
I chose St. Alphonsus because of the small class sizes and excellent education, especially the split-gender middle school.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
I love the community of St. Alphonsus and it continues to be a wonderful experience. Parents and teachers cooperate to give a wonderful nurturing environment to all children. I’m very grateful for the many lifelong relationships that have been created through the school involvement.
