Our Faculty and Staff

Heather joined the PCHS faculty in 2018, but she is not new to the school. She is the mother of three alumni ('19, '21 and '23).  Heather began her career at Peninsula Catholic as a social studies teacher.  After returning to school and earning her Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration, she was promoted to Dean of Faculty and, most recently, Principal.  Heather is passionate about Catholic education and is excited to be a part of the PCHS family!

B.M. Flute Performance, Christopher Newport University

M. Ed. Curriculum & Instruction, Liberty University

Ashleigh Lewis came to Peninsula Catholic from Petsworth Elementary in Gloucester, Virginia.  She has been teaching music at the elementary school level for seventeen years.  She is the mother of a Knight, Carl, who is a sophomore this year.  She and her family live in Seaford. 

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. 

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.

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.  

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., 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.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., Franciscan University of Steubenville

Mrs. Rogala joined the PC Faculty in 2018. She holds her Bachelor's degree from Penn State University and her Master's degree in Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is a resident of Newport News with her husband and her daughter Nell. She has 2 dogs, Max and Kovu, and a rambunctious cat, Oliver. She teaches the Catholic Culture (non-9th graders new to PCHS) class along with Theology 11 and 8. Also, she is the one to talk to about Digital Bootcamp for our new PC students. She enjoys helping students make the transition from their previous school to being a part of the PC Family.

B.M. Music Education, Christopher Newport University
M.A. Teaching, Christopher Newport University
Ed.S. Educational Leadership & Administration, The George Washington University
 

Mrs. Sherman comes to us from Poquoson City Schools.  She has been an educator in the Hampton Roads area since 2011.  Prior to that, she was a member of the Army National Guard.  She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Virginia Choral Directors Association.  She lives in Newport News with her family and is a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church.

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

Mrs. Smith began her teaching career in 2013, but her time at PC started as a student herself. She has been teaching Theology to Knights for four years now, including courses in Salvation History, Christology, Soteriology, Theology of the Body, Mortality, Apologetics Capstone, and Comparative Religions. Mrs. Smith loves teaching and is thrilled to be able to bring God to her students in an academic way. She is also a cantor at her local parish. 

portrait

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.S., Virginia Commonwealth University 
M.S., Virginia Commonwealth University

Mr. Williams's father is an alumn of PC, class of ’88. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Mr. Williams was a researcher at VCU in a 4D printing laboratory. After working at the university level for many years, he decided to teach high school to better take care of the community he grew up in. Mr. Williams is looking forward to a great year teaching physics and engineering!