Martha Altvater
Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher
Curriculum Coordinator
maltvater@delasallems.org
Since arriving at De La Salle in the fall of 2002, Martha Altvater
has taught Language Arts and Social Studies to every DLS student.
Martha, with her expertise and commitment as a classroom teacher,
inspires her fellow teachers and has been an asset in developing a
comprehensive, empowering curriculum at De La Salle. Ms. Altvater
says, “I believe education is a relationship—a two way street. Every
day, I hope to leave the classroom saying, ‘I learned something new
today.’”
The respect and love of learning Ms. Altvater shows to her students
is reciprocated. After examining political cartoons, students leave
Ms. Martha’s class with a more developed political consciousness
and a greater command of political issues that directly affect their
lives. In Literature class with Ms. Altvater, students consider and
imagine the lives and experiences of others, translating Harper Lee’s words in To Kill a Mockingbird into a visceral world, when they map Scout’s fictional hometown, Maycomb, Alabama and chronicle her experiences there. For many students it is the first time they have “stepped into the skin” of a fictional character and the experience invites them to experience their own lives more imaginatively and profoundly.
When she isn’t at school, Ms. Altavter enjoys traveling to historic sites, reading, and walking her dogs.
Melynie Blackshear
School Administration Manager
Mrs. Blackshear has been a strong pillar in “The Ville” neighborhood since 2002 and began her career with De La Salle Middle School in March 2010. She brings to De La Salle a rich background in Office & Business Management, strong organizational skills and can be very creative at any given task.
Mrs. Blackshear is the Youth Director for our very own St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church where she has created and implemented some of the programs our students participate in year after year; The Back to School Party, the Halloween Fun Fair, Christmas on Campus @ DeSmet and so much more.
Feel free to see Melynie about Admissions, Tuition, PTA, Volunteering, The Bi-Monthly Student Newsletter,
School Policies/Discipline, School Improvements and Student Special Events.
In her free time she enjoys coordinating special events, listening to live music; preferably The Blues or Contemporary Jazz, a night of Dancing or relaxing with a good book.
One of her favorite quotes: “The character of our children tomorrow, depends on what we put into their hearts today.
Melissa Brickey
Graduate Support Director
mbrickey@delasallems.org
Ms. Melissa has been at De La Salle since 2004. Along with her sharp wit and willingness to share a joke, Ms. Melissa deepens the DLS community’s sense of Lasallian mission by sharing, mostly through her day to day example, her training at the Buttimer Institute. She encapsulates this sense the Lasallian educator’s mission when she says, “Self-discovery leads to empowerment and transformation. Educators accompany students as they discover themselves and move towards changing themselves and the people around them for the better.”
Her appreciation for the history and charism of the Christian Brothers dovetails with her role as DLS’s Graduate Support Director, a position that often demands patience and a sustained commitment to very fallible high school students. She says, “I am awed by the transformation, in terms of accountability for actions, that I am privileged to be a part of in my current position.” Ms. Melissa offers students a safe, respectful space as they move through their high school years and is an example for the rest of the staff of a humble commitment, mutual respect, and enduring service.
You can find Ms. Melissa up, bright and early, making waves at the YMCA where she swims every morning. When she can get away from De La Salle, Ms. Melissa enjoys camping with her husband David, as well as spending time with her eight brothers and sisters and seven (soon to be nine) nieces and nephews.
Lynn deLearie
Development & Communications Officer
Lynn deLearie came to De La Salle in 2010 to work in the Development Office. Lynn brings eight years of non-profit fundraising and communications experience to De La Salle and knows that dedicated individuals can truly change lives. De La Salle’s mission resonates closely with her own interests in helping children. She says, “I am truly grateful to be part of the De La Salle community and look forward to empowering our students, graduates and families by helping to provide access to a high quality, holistic education.”
In her free time, Lynn enjoys volunteering at her daughter’s school, riding bikes and hiking with her family and baking Sweet Potato Pies - stop by De La Salle for a sample!
Julie Gryskiewicz
Science and Literature Teacher
jgryskiewicz@gmail.com
Ms. Julie Gryskiewicz, or “Ms. G.,” came to De La Salle in 2005 as a Vincentian Volunteer after college at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. De La Salle was such a great fit that Ms. G. decided to stay on as a full time teacher after her year of service. Her energy, spirit, and intelligence have become an irreplaceable part of what makes De La Salle an empowering place for students.
Ms. G’s own words reflect this commitment to empowering students, “I believe education is a venture in which both the teachers and the students participate. I believe that every student can wake up each day excited to ask questions about the world around them and go to bed each night reflecting on new ideas that have opened up their world. Learning does not mean knowing the answer, it means not giving up when a situation is challenging and realizing that there is more than one right answer to every question. I believe education is the biggest opportunity to gain self-worth and increase confidence. Students who love learning will be committed instead of bored, thoughtful instead of impulsive, and delightful instead of dissatisfied with life’s opportunities for them.”
Ms. G. quoted Psalm 139 -- “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” -- when sharing that her "favorite topic to study has always been the human body." She added, "my favorite moments are when students seem to suddenly put on see-through glasses and can imagine how their bodies are put together." Ms. G. also shares her love of reading with students, “Nothing beats reading a book with a student,” she says. “Every day, we take time to read individually or in groups—and I wouldn’t trade this time for anything.”
Ms. G spends her time outside DLS reading, decorating, taking walks, doing yoga, visiting Wisconsin, cooking and eating good food. She’ll never say no tossing the Frisbee around with friends either!
Mike Hall
Math and Religion Teacher
Technology Coordinator
Renaissance/After-school Programming
mhall@delasallems.org
Mike Hall began teaching at De La Salle in 2007, after running a successful restaurant business in Washington, D.C. His familiarity with the D.C. area has come in handy during the annual eighth grade field trips to the nation’s capital. Mr. Hall has a number of other skills that “come in handy” at a small middle school like De La Salle. His ability to wade through, what appears to others to be chaos, and organize teacher and students alike, as well as his affinity for finicky networks are a few talents Mr. Hall contributes to De La Salle.
Mr. Hall’s commitment extends beyond useful skills. His dedication to DLS is most evident in his example. When he says, “I find myself gravitating constantly toward the lat Paul Wellstone’s quote ‘Never separate the words you speak from the life you live,’” Mr. Hall has already shown those around him what it means to take risks, change, grow, learn, and give selflessly. This model of self-empowerment gives Mr. Hall the gravitas to center lessons around students, empowering them. “I really like ‘feeling around a lesson,’” he says, “finding prior knowledge, and letting the students’ curiosity lead us to where the class will go. It seems like taking a chance on the kids’ knowledge often yields enjoyable classes.”
Enjoyable classes are one thing. When he isn’t at school, Mr. Hall enjoys playing golf, playing with his daughter, and playing with fire (a.k.a. grilling) in his backyard.
Kelly Kirby Adams
Finance & Development Officer
kkirby@delasallems.org
Andrew Long
Literature and Social Studies Teacher
along@delasallems.org
Wanting to further his Catholic-Jesuit education, in 2000 Andrew decided to head east from Denver, Colorado and attend Saint Louis University. While at SLU, Andrew visited De La Salle on many occasions. After graduating in 2004, he joined the Southwest Region of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) and became a PE teacher and coach at Dolores Mission School in Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, California. After taking over a 7th grade class during the last half of the year, Andrew was asked to stay on teaching middle school and coaching, which he did for three more years. Living and working in East Los Angeles, Andrew was certainly ‘Ruined for Life,’ as the JVC motto indicates. Family and friends drew Andrew back to St. Louis, and his commitment to social justice drew him to De La Salle. For Andrew, the JVC mission and the De La Salle mission work well together: “The essence of De La Salle and its mission is justice. We are working to be a part of the solution to injustice.” Andrew notes the unique fusing of De La Salle, as a Christian Brothers school, with a Jesuit parish, St. Matthew the Apostle, and agrees that “the combination of the two charisms benefits the students we serve.”
Andrew is a dedicated, prepared, and caring teacher who, constantly, is seeking new ways to better reach the students. Andrew teaches social studies, language arts, religion and swimming. Andrew hopes to be a long-time member of the De La Salle family, with the goal of helping to create a “positive and loving environment that constantly challenges the student spiritually, emotionally and of course, academically.”
When possible, Andrew loves to ride his new bicycle, attend concerts, toss the Frisbee, go to movies, travel and wrestle with his nephews.
Daniel McCarthy
Assistant Graduate Support Director
Mr. McCarthy came to De La Salle by the way of the great state of Texas in the fall of 2009 with the Marianist Volunteer Program. He believes whole heartedly in the mission of De La Salle, of “making quality education accessible.” Mr. McCarthy brings many gifts to De La Salle, but one gift in particular has stood out, music. Mr. McCarthy has assisted De La Salle by teaching guitar class as well as leading worship at masses.
During his time here, he has formed great relationships with many students, which sparked his interest in staying at De La Salle working in graduate support. “I feel that De La Salle is wonderful place to learn, and gives students the tools to be successful in life.” By his work in graduate support, he hopes to assist students in their becoming “engaged, independent, thoughtful, compassionate, and just members of the St. Louis community.”
Outside of De La Salle Mr. McCarthy spends his time traveling to Texas, reading, running, listening/playing music, and painting.
David Muhammad
Math Teacher
David Muhammad has been a math teacher and educator for nine years. He decided to become a teacher, he said, “because I love making a difference in a child’s life. I love serving and helping children become great human beings.”
Mr. Muhammad is committed to the educational service of the youth. He continues to develop himself to become a better and more effective educator. In the future, Mr. Muhammad plans to become a school administrator. He feels that “educating the youth is an honor and a blessing.”
Mr. Muhammad is a family man with many interests. “I have been married for 13 years and have two beautiful daughters. I enjoy traveling with my family. I enjoy music, reading, and staying fit.”
Phil Pusateri
Principal
Language Arts Teacher
ppusateri@delasallems.org
Phil Pusateri has been teaching at De La Salle since 2002 and has been De La Salle’s Principal since 2007. “Mr. P.,” as he’s known to students, is a dedicated educator. His familiarity and breadth of experience at DLS make Mr. P. an excellent principal. A commitment to De La Salle’s mission of empowering lives through education informs everything Mr. P. does. The energy and single-mindedness Mr. P. brings every day to our school is an example for students and teachers alike.
His concern extends beyond the day to day, and often turns to involving families, the community, and donors in the liberating work of education. Mr. P.’s vision is holistic and practical. He wants to give students the tools they need to be successful in our society, while still honoring their experiences of culture. Classroom learning and curriculum are important to Mr. P., but in the same breath so is community service done in a spirit of justice. His deep dedication to Lasallian education will certainly continue to shape and improve De La Salle for years to come.
When he isn’t at school Phil spends time with his wife, Maura, and daughter, Cosima. He also enjoys reading, listening to music, especially jazz, exercising, trying new foods, and traveling.
Corey Quinn
President
cquinn@delasallems.org
Mr. Quinn began his career at De La Salle in July of 2008, but his first trip to the school was in 1998, when as a first-year teacher at Rockhurst High School, Mr. Quinn and a team of students and teachers helped to clear out the space that would eventually become home to De La Salle Middle School. Since that time, Mr. Quinn taught theology for six years at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City and for four years at De Smet Jesuit High School. While serving at De Smet, Mr. Quinn earned his Masters in Catholic School Leadership at Saint Louis University. When asked why he decided to make the switch from a large, suburban high school to a small, urban middle school, Mr. Quinn replied, "The NativityMiguel model has fascinated me since its inception. I've felt its pull for several years, and the opportunity finally presented itself in the form of a very wonderful grace -- a vocation to lead De La Salle Middle School. When you walk through our front doors, you can sense the Spirit's presence, particularly in the interactions between our staff and students. Our school's motto is 'Love and Learn', and I think that these two simple actions are inextricably and spiritually intertwined at De La Salle. In other words, "Love and Learn" is not an either/or proposition but rather a both/and one at our school. It is truly a privilege to help guide this mission."
Mr. Quinn and his wife, Amanda, have three children. Mr. Quinn enjoys coaching youth sports and listening to U2 and Bruce Springsteen for inspiration.
Kathleen Stomps
Development Director
Kathleen, a resident of St. Louis city for the past 18 years, strongly believes that “the best way we can enhance the St. Louis area is to improve the quality of life for all people within it.” She says that this passion is what led her to De La Salle Middle School and that she thinks “all children deserve a quality, holistic education, that focuses on treating everyone with respect and instills a sense of social justice.” Having graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, Kathleen also brings fifteen years of non-profit fundraising and communications experience to help move our mission forward. Prior to joining us, Kathleen’s dedication to other St. Louis organizations provided experience in securing gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations, overseeing planned giving programs, and in organizing and executing special events. Early in her fundraising career Kathleen worked at a preschool where, in addition to performing her development tasks, she occasionally rocked fussy babies to sleep.
Kathleen is a regular volunteer at the public schools her children attend and serves on a United Way of St. Louis Health Agency Review Panel. Additionally she has been a St. Louis city Parents as Teachers Educator, volunteer Certified Childbirth Doula at BJC and a Block Captain for her St. Louis City neighborhood association. When not working to fulfill the need of De La Salle Middle School, Kathleen can be found reading non-fiction books, creating new dishes in the kitchen, spending time with her family hiking and camping, or in her in her backyard tending to her urban farm—a garden and two beehives.
Barbara Williams
Cafeteria Director and Manager
Ms. Barbara Williams has been serving up delicious breakfasts and lunches in De La Salle’s cafeteria since 2002. Serving the DLS community is one thing, but Ms. Barbara also empowers De La Salle students to serve others through her Renaissance cooking class. This truly makes Ms. Barbara’s labor one of providing, in her words, “Food for the mind, the body, and the soul.” In addition to cooking, Ms. Barbara enjoys swimming, decorating, and dancing.
