Meet Our Team
Fr. Jeff Statz
Pastor
Mark Schwerdt
Principal
~ Office Administration ~
Sharyn Tighe
Assistant to the Principal
Colleen Vandi
Front Office
Christina Garand
Admissions & Business
Your Incredible Team
Mrs. Melissa Nelson, Preschool
Mrs. Nelson lives in Derry, NH with her husband and their two children. Her youngest son is currently a student at St. Francis. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in Durham where she received her B.A. in Business and a minor in Communications. She has more than 20 years experience working with children in various roles including a Director for the Greater Derry Extended Day Program, a paraprofessional in the Derry School District, Lead Camp Counsellor for Child and Family Services, and is still currently working with DCYF as a licensed foster parent. Mrs. Nelson has also been a youth group leader for over 10 years and is passionate about helping children to know Jesus and to grow in their faith! In her spare time she enjoys going on day trips with her family and spending time with her nieces and nephews!
Mrs. Lisa McLaughlin, Preschool Aide, Lunch Director
mclaughlinl@StFrancisSchoolNH.org
Mrs. McLaughlin is a graduate of Manchester Community College with a medical assisting degree. She has been working at St Francis School 2014. She and her husband Richard have been married for 36 years and have four children, three of them are graduates of St. Francis School. She also has four grandchildren and two of them attend St Francis School. In her free time, Mrs. McLaughlin loves spending time on Newfound Lake.
Miss Vanessa Garcia, Prekindergarten
Miss Garcia comes to us with 5 years of experience in Montessori classrooms and hands-on learning environments that allow children to flourish. After graduating from Holy Family Academy, Vanessa spent a year serving in active ministry as a missionary with NET Ministries. In 2021, Vanessa graduated from NHTI. Her greatest joy is bringing Jesus into the classroom and watching children of all ages encounter the Lord in their daily lives. Outside of the classroom she has experience working with children in residential foster care in Greater Manchester. Vanessa resides in Manchester and is an active parishioner at Ste. Marie Parish where she helps lead the youth ministry. In her free time, you can find her painting or spending time by the ocean.
Mrs. Kelly Lamontagne, Prekindergarten Aide
lamontagnek@StFrancisSchoolNH.org
Mrs. Lamontagne is a proud mother of three beautiful children and the wife of her wonderful husband of 10 years. Together, they have been blessed to call St. Thomas Aquinas their home parish for over 30 years. During that time, she has had the privilege of working with the youth group, the CCD program, and volunteering in various roles.
She studied business at Baystate College and spent over a decade as a nanny before her family moved from Boston to New Hampshire. Staying home with her children has been a true gift—one that has deepened her passion for nurturing young minds and supporting their growth. Over the past six years, she has continued that calling through volunteering and now serves as a teacher’s aide in the St. Francis community.
When she’s not in the classroom, she’s off on an adventure with her family. They love camping, visiting Boston, and taking road trips.
Mrs. Kim Poltak, Kindergarten
Mrs. Poltak attended the University of New Hampshire where she graduated with a B.A in Psychology. While in school she focused her time studying developmental psychology. She has more than 15 years experience working with children in many different settings including as an EFL tutor, paraprofessional, classroom aide and soccer coach. Mrs. Poltak has two daughters who currently attend St. Francis. When not at school, Mrs. Poltak likes baking treats and skiing in the winter with her family.
Miss Monica Melton, Kindergarten Aide
Mrs. Carey Follansbee, First Grade
follansbeec@stfrancisschoolnh.org
Mrs. Follansbee lives in Londonderry NH with her husband Steve and her three children Haley, Abby, and Brady. She is a parishioner of St Mark’s Church in Londonderry. Carey is a core member to the Edge youth group program and has taught summer CCD for many years.
Carey received her Bachelor’s Degree in American History from Franklin Pierce College and is currently pursuing her NH teacher certification at NHTI through their TECP elementary education and general special education program.
She has enjoyed working as an aide at St Francis of Assisi School. She has also worked as a substitute teacher, a special education assistant, and a tutor for the Londonderry School district for over 10 years.
Mrs. Karen Guepy, St. Clare Atrium Director and First Grade Aide
Mrs. Guepy lives in Manchester NH with her husband Greg of 23 years and their 4 children. She is a long time parishioner of St Matthews Church in Windham NH where she has also been the Faith Formation Coordinator for grades K-5 for the past 4 years. At St Matthews, she also enjoys running the Faith and Play program where she teaches young children about the Gospels with puppets and other hands on learning activities. In between fun summer days at Long Sands Beach in York ME, Karen and her family enjoy participating in the Vacation Bible School Program.
Ms. Cara Mulcahy, Second Grade
mulcahyc@StFrancisSchoolNH.org
Ms. Mulcahy joins the Saint Francis family for the 2025-2026 school year as the second grade teacher. She has 8 years’ experience teaching both first and second grade in a variety of school cultures and is very excited to begin her journey at Saint Francis. Ms. Mulcahy is passionate about creating a hands-on and engaging classroom culture. She has a master’s degree in Elementary Education, and was a D1 lacrosse player in college at Saint Mary’s College of California. There are things that Ms. Mulcahy learned on the field that have made her a strong leader and teacher. When she’s not in the classroom, you’ll most likely find her playing outside with her children Rylan (age 5) and Josie (age 3).
Mrs. Karen Walsh, Third Grade
Mrs. Walsh received her Master’s Degree in Education from Lesley University in 2001. Her undergraduate studies were completed at North Adams State College where she earned a B.S. in Education and a B.A. in Sociology. She has over 18 years of teaching experience working with children grades Pre-K through 5th grade in both general education and special education classrooms. Mrs. Walsh lives in Candia, NH with her husband, three children, and a yellow lab named Martha. The Walshes are parishioners at St Joseph’s Parish in Epping.
Mrs. Katie Jennings, Fourth Grade
jenningsk@stfrancisschoolnh.org
Mrs. Jennings is a member of St. Francis Parish where she runs the St. Francis Friars youth group. After being homeschooled for many years, her two children, Michael and Mary, now attend St. Francis School. Mrs. Jennings has a degree in engineering and was a collegiate athlete. She taught math and science at a Catholic high school for eight years and she has experience coaching both youth and varsity sports. She lives in Billerica, MA with her husband and kids, along with their dog and chickens.
Mrs. Wenda Schultz, Fifth Grade
schultzw@stfrancisschoolnh.org
Mrs. Leah Easley, Sixth Grade
Mrs. Easley holds a B.A. in English Literature and Secondary Education from Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) and an M.A. in History from Gordon-Conwell Seminary (Hamilton, MA). She has over ten years of classroom teaching experience in a variety of subjects from pre-K through high school. She also has over ten years of training and experience in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She lives with her husband and daughter in Hooksett along with their two dogs and one cat. They are avid Tolkien fans and love spending as much time as possible in the woods and the waters and the mountains.
Mrs. Sheryl Gallagan, Music & Director of After School
gallagans@StFrancisSchoolNH.org
Mrs. Gallagan has been a member of St Francis of Assisi School staff for 22 years. She is a member of the Church choir, a cantor, and a communicant of our parish. Mrs. Gallagan has lived with her husband Brian in Manchester since 1997. She has two adult children Michael and Megan, both are teachers.
Mr. Sean Donnelly, Gym
Mr. Donnelly grew up in Boston, MA where he met his wife at a Red Sox game; she brought him to NH. Mr. Donnelly has been a Boston Firefighter for over 20 years. He has two daughters that attend Diocesan schools. Mr. Donnelly and his family enjoy the community of St. Catherine of Siena in Manchester. He has been involved in coaching many sports within diocesan schools. This year, he is the Assistant coach for St. Joes Reg. Jr. High Girls basketball team. Mr. Donnelly comes to us with a passion for health and fitness that he learned at a young age when he joined the US Marine Corps. He has a passion for helping kids have fun and achieve goals in health and fitness. It has always been his dream to become a Catholic school PE teacher! He is so excited to join the community of St. Francis. In his downtime, he loves going to the beach and gym with his family. Fun fact: he loves animals. Mr. Donnelly has two awesome dogs that he adopted and he enjoys walking when he is home!
Miss Natalie Bender, Natural Science & Timbernook Director
Miss Bender is a graduate of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH. While at Saint Anselm she worked as a peer tutor, participated in the college choir, played violin and viola in the chamber music program, and served on the leadership team of the student pro-life club. Miss Bender completed her educational internship at St. Francis School and taught Grade 6 last year. She lives in Candia, NH and is a member of St. Stanislaus Parish in Nashua, NH. In her free time she enjoys baking, hiking, and making music with her family and friends.
Mrs. Rose Van Uden, Librarian
vanudenr@StFrancisSchoolNH.org
Mrs. Van Uden graduated from Notre Dame College with a BA in Paralegal Studies and from New Hampshire College with a Masters in Business Administration. She worked for over a decade as a paralegal and as a paralegal educator before joining the St. Francis School staff. She is currently beginning her 23rd year as School Librarian. Mrs. Van Uden lives in Manchester with her husband of 33 years, Michael, and has two adult children. She is a long time parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi. Mrs. Van Uden enjoys reading, particularly biographies of the saints and American History, cross country skiing, hiking in the mountains, traveling to historic homes of U.S. Presidents, live traditional Irish music and spending time with her family.
Ms. Sharyn Tighe, Assistant to the Principal, Art Director
Ms. Sharyn graduated from Montserrat College of Art with a BFA in Illustration. She has worked at St. Francis School since 2017, starting as the aide in Kindergarten classroom and teaching art for Preschool through 1st grade. This will be her 3rd year teaching art for all of the grades at St. Francis. She is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and runs both the Baptismal Prep and the Evangelization ministries. She lives in Litchfield with her husband of 17 years, Ken, and their two children, Zachary and Noah. She enjoys painting, reading, and spending time on the Maine coast and at Spofford Lake in NH.
Mrs. Sue Huettner, Upper Elementary Latin
Mrs. Huettner comes to Saint Francis with 25 years of teaching experience at Hampstead Academy. She has taught Theater to grades 1-8 and Language Arts and Latin to grades 6-8. Mrs. Huettner has a Master of Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education from Salem State University. She is excited to teach at SFS where two of her grandchildren are students. Recently retired, Mrs. Huettner enjoys reading, sketching, and swimming.
Reading and Math Intervention
Manchester >>> staffing TBD
Litchfield >>> staffing TBD