Our Faculty and Staff

B.S., Virginia Commonwealth University
M.A., Old Dominion University 
Ed.S., George Washington University

Jenny joined the PC faculty in 1989 as a teacher, and has served in many roles since then: department chair, club and class moderator, assistant principal, and in 2008, principal. She is one of very few faculty who taught at both the “old school” in downtown Newport News and the new campus on Harpersville Road. Her greatest source of joy are her two sons, Kyle (PC ‘13) and Connor (PC ‘15).
 

B.A., Old Dominion University B.A.
M.S.Ed., Old Dominion University 

Dan lives in Norfolk with his wife and daughter, and commutes through the HRBT to make sure every student who graduates from PC has a "plan". He really wanted to be a racecar driver, but guiding students to the right school with ample scholarship funding is now his passion. An ASCA certified college admission specialist and member of the Virginia School Counselor Association, Dan has been at PC since 2011. 

B.B.A., Christopher Newport University 
M.S.Ed., Old Dominion University

Coach Jackowski came to PC in 2003 to serve as athletic director  after working in the Old Dominion University athletic department for 11 years. He lives in Hampton with his wife and two sons. John loves all things Pittsburgh sports, but especially baseball.

M.S.Ed., Longwood University 

A lover of all things education, Alyson spent her formative years living and attending grade school in Hampton Roads. Her career encompasses work within the Higher Education field including Residence Life and Housing, Community Outreach, and Admissions. Alyson is looking forward to welcoming your family to PC! 

B.S., University of New Hampshire 
M.B.A., Virginia Wesleyan University

Robin joined the PC staff in 2018 with nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit development for the youth, primarily in the Diocese of Richmond.  She is passionate about encouraging people to invest in our youth who are the future leaders of tomorrow.  Robin enjoys volunteering with the Virginia Stage Company, is a lifetime Girl Scout and an avid Disney fan.  She lives in Virginia Beach with her son, Kendall, and vicariously through her daughter, Jordan, in Florida who works for Mickey Mouse.

Melissa joined the PC staff in 2016, following a career of bookkeeping in the construction industry along with extensive experience in Customer Service. She has a penchant for coffee, Mexican food, and relaxing at the beach. Melissa resides in Newport News with her two demanding pups, Gunnar and Sissy.

M.A., John Paul II Institute

MT works to promote the Catholic identity of the school through prayer, organization of liturgies, retreats and service projects.  She is passionate about bringing the PCHS community to a deeper relationship with Christ.  She is a Marvel fan and enjoys refinishing furniture.

Mrs. Freel began work at PC in 1984 as the office secretary and has held many roles since then, such as:  office administrator, coordinator of campus ministry and  retreats, and student community service.  She retired in 2004 with 25 years of service to the Richmond Diocese, but returned to PC  in 2016 when she was offered a position as “sous chef” in the kitchen working with Chef Candiss.

Salisbury University

Renee is new to the PC family, having joined in 2020. Her background is in customer service and project management. When she isn't at Peninsula Catholic you can find her on her back porch spending time with her husband, Andrew, and two dogs Eve and Luna. 

B.A., University of Arizona
M.H.R., University of Oklahoma 

Originally from Arizona, Abella is new to the area and is excited to start a career with the PC family. She loves to travel and has traveled to 48 states and 14 countries. She has also lived in 7 states, as her husband is in the U.S. Army. 

B.S.B.A., Colorado Technical University

Mrs. Silcox earned her B.S.B.A. and L.P.N. degrees after a career in the U.S. Army. Prior to joining the staff at PC in 2017, she worked as a nurse for ER, surgery, and infectious disease specialty groups. She is the resident CPR instructor for both the American Heart Association and the Red Cross, coordinator of blood drives and flu shot clinics, and a charter member of the PC safety task force.  She is currently working toward a Bachelors of Nursing degree. Mrs. Silcox is a proud military spouse and the mother of four.
 

M.Ed., Liberty University

Mrs. Strickland is the 8th-10th grade school counselor. She is here to support the academic success, personal/social growth, and college/career readiness of students at PC. She is a well-traveled military spouse and mother of three.
 

Lisanette has been working as a translator since 2007. Her true passion lies in bridging the language gap by helping students and parents reach their full potential, as well as organize cultural events to share the beauty of diversity. During her free time she loves spending time with family and friends.  

A graduate of the class of '78, Karen comes from a long line of PC alumni. Her father, Robert M. Yacobi, was a member of the class of 1949, and his seven brothers and sisters all attended St. Vincent’s. They started in 1932, and for the next 32 years, without interruption, there was at least one Yacobi attending the school. The tradition continued with Karen and her brothers Mark (‘81) and Sean (‘83). Karen's two sons are also PC graduates. Karen joined the staff at Peninsula Catholic in 2006. She is the first contact at school for most, and is the friendly voice on the other end of the line or loudspeaker every day.

B.A., Shenandoah University

No stranger to Catholic education, Mr. Wiley is a graduate of Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School. Upon graduating with a degree in mass communications, he returned to Hampton Roads and joined the PCHS family in 2018. As the media and alumni relations coordinator, Cody writes a monthly newsletter to keep alumni connected, and also serves as the school’s webmaster.
 

B.A., Emory & Henry College
M.Ed., Cambridge College

Mrs. Handy earned her bachelor's degree in English from Emory & Henry College and master's degree in special education from Cambridge College.  Her career began in a Suffolk high school as an assistant to a physically challenged student, and evolved into teaching and case managing in special education. A member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the Omega Gamma Chi National Honor Society for Special Education Teachers since 2014, Mrs. Handy has been at PC since 2017.  

B.A., Elmira College
M.A., Loyola University Chicago

Mrs. Hyland joined the staff at  Peninsula Catholic in 2008. As a child, she attended Catholic schools in upstate New York, so she felt naturally called to the PC family. She started as an administrative assistant and became a member of the enrollment department in 2012.  She is now the Media Center Specialist and loves assisting students and teachers with their academic needs and encouraging a lifelong love of reading.   She lives in Newport News with her husband, John, and two future Knights, Liam and Patrick.

B.A., University of Zagreb
M.A., University of Georgia
Ph.D., University of Illinois
M.A., Johns Hopkins University

Helena has taught literature and Latin. She was born in Croatia, but now she lives in Chesapeake, and she is very interested in Virginia and its history. She likes to read and listen to music. Her favorite author is Jane Austen.

B.F.A., Virginia Commonwealth University
K-12 Art Licensure Program, Old Dominion University

The "Artist in Residence" at PCHS, Mrs. Kovalcik teaches art foundations, intermediate art, advanced art, AP studio art, digital photography, and graphic art. She is a member of the National Art Education Association and the sponsor of PCHS's chapter of National Art Honor Society. Jessica lives in Portsmouth with her son (PCHS Class of ‘20) and husband, and enjoys creating art through photography.
 

B.A., University of Texas
M.A., Virginia Tech

Mrs. Lamb joined the PC family in 2004 and teaches all levels of Spanish, including Dual Enrollment courses. She moderates the Spanish Honor Society a service organization known throughout the community for  hosting an annual Trunk or Treat, tutoring at a local elementary, and providing a summer language camp for community children. Outside of PC, Nancy spends all her free time with family and her precious granddaughter, a future member of the class of 2033.
 

B.A., University of Virginia 
M. ED, Old Dominion University   
M.A, St. Mary's Seminary and University

Mr. Lonart teaches math at PCHS because of his love for math, youth, and the Catholic faith. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to classical music, reading science fiction, and playing video games. 

B.A., Christopher Newport University

Mr. Penrod lives in Hampton with his wife and two kids. He teaches English classes for sophomores and seniors. He's also been an assistant coach for PC’s award-winning forensics team since 2003.
 

B.A., Virginia Tech
M.F.A., Hollins College

Mr. Pilola is a PC alum whose fond memories of English class and running on the cross country team lured him back to the school, where he's been happily teaching and coaching now since 2007. Between grad school and coming back home again, he published stories, did cost analysis, and worked as a technical writer for the government. Even though they all torment him in different ways, he loves his wife, his two kids, and Virginia Tech football.
 

B.A., Pennsylvania State University
M.A., student, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Ms. Opalka lives in Newport News with her dog and her cat. She is the head JV Volleyball Coach and the assistant softball coach. 

B.A., Christopher Newport University
M.Ed., Liberty University

Mrs. Smith is an alumn of PC and is so happy to be "home" again. She is also a cantor at her local parish, and lives in Newport News with her husband and dog, Ava.

B.A, Duke University
M.S., Georgetown University
M.D., Georgetown University

After working as an obstetrician/gynecologist in the U.S. Navy, private practice, medical staff leadership, and executive medicine, Dr. Wall pursued his teaching credentials in order to fulfill a longstanding desire to share his love of science with young people. He teaches biology, dual enrollment advanced biology, and anatomy & physiology. 
 

B.S., Chowan University

Mrs. Weser holds dual degrees in business administration and printing production and image technology. She teaches the award-winning Economics and Personal Finance class, AP Micro and Macro Economics, AP Computer Science Principles, Marketing, and Intro to Business. She also keeps the school up and running in the latest of Google technologies. During lunch, she can be found helping to manage the student - run Bayport Credit Union. 
 

B. A., Oregon State University

Heather joined the PCHS faculty in 2018, but she is not new to the school. She is mother to three Knights. Heather is passionate about teaching history and is excited to share that passion with 9th and 10th graders at Peninsula Catholic, where she teaches world history and AP European history.
 

B.A., Christopher Newport University
M.F.A., Virginia Commonwealth University

Beth Wigley holds a  B.A. in Theatre and Education from Christopher Newport University and an M.F.A. in Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been a high school theatre teacher and director for more than twenty years and has directed over a hundred productions. She currently performs for the Colonial Williamsburg and directs for Stage Lights, Williamsburg’s Theatre for Children. Beth lives with her husband, son, and their two Labrador retrievers in Williamsburg.