Our Faculty
FACULTY PROFILE: Teresa Assenzo| Instructor of Visual Arts
- Director of Visual Arts, Instructor of Visual and Performing Arts
- M.F.A, Painting and Drawing, California College of Art
- M.A., Psychology/Counseling, Western Michigan University
- B.F.A, Drawing and Painting, Kendall College of Art and Design
Teresa Assenzo, Instructor of Visual Art, has been teaching at Saint Mary’s School since 2004. Graduating from California College of Art with her MFA in drawing and painting, she has taught art in a variety of settings including Western Michigan University and the Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts. She has exhibited work nationally as well as locally in group and solo shows. Ms. Assenzo has illustrated three children’s books. In addition to creating and teaching art, Ms. Assenzo is also interested in art and pet therapy. She has presented at the North Carolina Art Education Association as well as the National Association of Independent Schools.
What do you love about teaching?
I love helping girls to explore their creativity, tap into unknown talents, and discover their own unique voices. It’s wonderful being a part of their creative journey and seeing the girls develop as artists as well as getting to know them as people. It’s incredibly rewarding, and I feel very thankful to have work that is meaningful and fulfilling.
What do you most value about teaching at Saint Mary’s as an all girls’ boarding and day school?
We really have a wonderful community at Saint Mary’s. I value the relationships we develop with the girls and their families. It’s just incredible to watch them grow into young women and be a part of that transformation. Our girls are very creative, eager to learn, and just so much fun to work with. I’ve also been impressed with the kindness and compassion they show toward one another, our Saint Mary’s community, and the community beyond SMS. I also value my colleagues, all the people that we work with who make up this terrific community.
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Dean of Students and Residential Faculty
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
919-424-4014
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Instructor of Mathematics
Joined Saint Mary's in 2021
919-424-4077
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Instructor of Science
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
jarthur@sms.edu
AP Visual Arts Instructor and Counselor
Joined Saint Mary's in 2004
919-424-4051
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Instructor of Humanities & Social Sciences
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
919-424-4076
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Dean of Academic Innovation and Residential Faculty
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
919-424-4009
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MARIA CHILDREY
Part-Time Instructor of Mathematics
Joined Saint Mary's in 2023
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Instructor of World Languages
Joined Saint Mary's in 2015
919-424-4081
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Instructor of Mathematics
Joined Saint Mary's in 2020
919-424-4079
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Acting Director of Learning Support Services
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
919-424-4054
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Instructor of World Languages (French)
Joined Saint Mary's in 2023
919-424-4017
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Instructor of Humanities
Joined Saint Mary's in 2020
919-424-4065
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Instructor of Science
Joined Saint Mary's in 2001
919-424-4082
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Dean of College Counseling
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
919-424-4117
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Head of Dormitory & Student Support
Joined Saint Mary's in 2021
919-424-4119
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Academic Team Leader
Instructor of Mathematics
Joined Saint Mary's in 2005
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Academic Team Leader
Instructor of Science
Joined Saint Mary's in 2017
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JEREMY A. JERNIGAN, Ph.D.
Instructor of Humanities and Social Sciences
Joined Saint Mary's in 2023
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Director of Educational Technology and Instructor of Science
Joined Saint Mary's in 2017
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Head of Dormitory
Joined Saint Mary's in 2021
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Instructor of English
Joined Saint Mary's in 2020
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Academic Chair, for Visual and Performing Arts, Instructor of Voice, and Director of Music
Joined Saint Mary's in 2003
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Instructor of Visual and Performing Arts
Joined Saint Mary's in 2020
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Instructor of Visual and Performing Arts
Joined Saint Mary's in 2014
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NATE MYERS
Instructor of Interdisciplinary STEM
Joined Saint Mary's in 2023
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Academic Chair and Instructor of World Languages
Joined Saint Mary's in 2010
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MATTHEW OLESNEVICH, ED.D.
Assistant Head for Student Affairs and Residential Faculty
Joined Saint Mary's in 2023
919-424-4021
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Director of Dance
Instructor of Visual and Performing Arts
Joined Saint Mary's in 2017
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Academic Chair, Seminar Program, and Seminar Instructor
Joined Saint Mary's in 2000
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Cataloging and Circulation Librarian
Joined Saint Mary's in 2019
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Assistant Head of School
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
919-424-4072
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Instructor of English
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
919-424-4060
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IKER SEDEÑO
Instructor of World Languages (Spanish)
Joined Saint Mary's in 2023
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Instructor of Visual and Performing Arts, Director of Visual Arts
Joined Saint Mary's in 2023
919-424-4170
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Associate Director College Counseling
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
919-424-4068
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Instructor of Seminar
Joined Saint Mary's in 2007
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Instructor of Humanities & Social Sciences
Joined Saint Mary's in 2022
919-424-4084
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SARAH ANNE WATKINS
Instructor of Science
Joined Saint Mary's in 2023
919-424-4164
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Theatre Director and Instructor of Dramatic Arts
Joined Saint Mary's in 2019
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Instructor of Mathematics
Joined Saint Mary's in 2021
919-424-4050
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Director of Sarah Graham Kenan Library
Joined Saint Mary's in 2001
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Academic Chair and Instructor of English
Joined Saint Mary's in 2016
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