News

At Newton Sacred Heart, we are blessed with a world-class professional community. We are excited to introduce you to the new members of our faculty and staff who join us this academic year. We are thrilled to welcome the following people who will bring their gifts and expertise to the life of our school community.

 

 

 

Rose Bailey - Director of Middle School
Rose Bailey is an educator and leader with over a decade of experience in independent schools. Most recently at Milton Academy, she served as Interim Dean of Teaching and Learning, Grade Level Dean, and Social Studies faculty, where she led curriculum innovation, DEIB initiatives, and faculty development. She previously taught at Connelly Middle School and Greenwich Academy and was named a Columbia University Rudin Scholar for her research. Bailey holds a BA in History from Harvard College, an M.Ed. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is completing an Instructional Leadership Certificate at Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is drawn to the Sacred Heart community for its commitment to inclusive, mission-centered education.

Jane Bilodeau - Associate Director of College Counseling
Jane Bilodeau is a college counseling and admissions professional with a focus on student-centered advising. Previously in undergraduate admissions at Boston College, Wheaton, and Bentley, she served for the past five years as Associate Director of College Counseling and Class Dean at Dexter Southfield. She is an enthusiastic, student-focused educator who values college access, accountability, and self-discovery. She lives in Watertown with her husband and two cats.

Erin Cain - Middle School Administrative Assistant & School Communications Assistant
Erin Cain joins the Sacred Heart community from Fordham University, where she worked in the Graduate School of Education developing professional workshops for K-12 educators. Prior to that, she taught second grade in both Boston and New York City. She is a proud double Eagle, holding both an undergraduate degree and master’s degree in education from Boston College. In her spare time, you can find her running on the Esplanade, trying a new coffee shop, or on the phone with her sister. She is very excited to get to know the Middle School families and students!

Ryan Carty - Director of Facilities & Operations
Ryan Carty brings experience in facilities management from the medical and independent school sectors. His expertise includes campus stewardship, capital projects, and operations. Originally from Ireland, he is an avid golfer and former competitive player.

Juan Gomez - Facilities Associate
Juan Gomez is passionate about nature and sports in general, especially soccer. He believes observing details is his best tool for connecting with the school's needs. He values discipline, effort, and teamwork. He is originally from Colombia and is the Dad of two great kids.

Bernice Fedestin-Ruiz, MSW, LICSW - Middle School Counselor 
Bernice Fedestin-Ruiz has dedicated her nearly 20 year career to helping young people discover their strengths, navigate life's challenges, and build meaningful connections with others. A Boston native and Brown University graduate, She has worked in independent schools, private practice, and community mental health, bringing a collaborative and relationship-centered approach to her work with students, families, and faculty. She is also a proud Boston College Eagle, where she received her MSW and Certificate in School Social Work. She is the proud mother of two fun-loving daughters who keep her laughing. She enjoys dance fitness, yoga, trying new restaurants, traveling, and finding opportunities to build community wherever she goes. Fedestin-Ruiz believes that the strongest school communities are built through trust, curiosity, and genuine relationships. She looks forward to getting to know each member of the Newton Sacred Heart community.

Allyson Grasso - Science Faculty
Allyson Grasso is thrilled to be returning to Newton for her ninth year of teaching. After spending the last two years on an incredible adventure which included getting married, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and teaching science in Sydney, Australia, she is so happy to be back in the Sacred Heart community. She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from Purdue University and an M.A.T. in Special Education from the University of Virginia.

Grace Healey - Middle School Faculty
Grace Healey graduated from Providence College and earned her master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College. Throughout her career, she has taught in Catholic schools and is passionate about fostering both academic growth and character development. She finds great joy in helping students discover a love of learning and creating a classroom environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time outdoors. Whether she is walking, running, or simply enjoying nature, she values time to connect with family, friends, and her community. She is excited to join our community and looks forward to meeting the fifth graders!

Katherine Newman - Senior Marketing & Creative Manager
Katherine Newman is a graphic designer with over seven years of experience in branding, marketing, and visual storytelling, primarily working with mission-driven organizations. She loves helping ideas come to life through thoughtful design and finding creative ways to connect with people through compelling stories. Newman received her BFA in Graphic Design from Mass College of Art and Design. Outside of work, you can find her looking for new creative projects, at a concert, or spending time with family and friends.

Laia Roig - World Language Faculty
Laia Roig comes to Newton from the Fay School in Southborough, MA, where she was a middle and upper school Spanish teacher and a soccer and lacrosse coach. Before Fay, she taught middle school Spanish at Gibbs School in Arlington, MA, and at Edgartown School on Martha's Vineyard, and taught Spanish and physical education in Catalonia Public Schools in Barcelona, Spain. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in physical education and sports science from Lleida University in Spain. She is currently completing her second master's degree in World Language at Colorado State University. 

Shannon Smith - Science Faculty
Shannon Smith has been teaching chemistry for 21 years in a variety of school settings, and she has recently moved to the Boston area with her husband and two daughters. She earned a B.S. in Polymer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi, a M.S. in Chemical Engineering and a M.A. in Chemistry from the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from the University of Cincinnati. She is the President of the Governing Board of the American Association of Chemistry Teachers and serves on the Research in Science Teaching Committee of the National Science Teaching Association. When she is not teaching, she enjoys running and hiking with her family and dogs.

Joe Vitale - Chief Financial Officer
Joe Vitale brings over two decades of financial leadership experience in education and finance, beginning his career in public accounting at Grant Thornton, LLP, where he led audit teams across higher education, non-profit, and investment fund clients. He most recently served as Associate Dean of Finance & Administration at Boston College Law School, where he is a key member of the senior leadership team and oversees all financial, operational, and administrative functions. Prior to this role, he spent seven years as Assistant Controller at Boston College, leading endowment and restricted gifts accounting. A graduate of Siena College, Vitale earned his MBA and Master of Science in Accounting from Boston College and Northeastern University, respectively, and holds a CPA designation. He is currently serving as Finance Chair at St. Columbkille Partnership School. His son attends Boston College High School, and his daughter attends South Boston Catholic Academy.

Kelly Winter-Meraw - Director of Vocal Music
Kelly Winter-Meraw is overjoyed to be joining the Sacred Heart community. For the past decade, she has been the Director of Liturgy, Music, and Pastoral Care for St. John-St. Paul Collaborative in Wellesley. She earned her Master of Vocal Performance Degree from McGill University, where in her undergraduate she studied Music and Religious Studies. She is a frequent contributor to Catholic Women Preach and Discerning Deacons, two organizations committed to engaging in conversations surrounding the expansion of women’s leadership and participation in the Church. Joining the Newton Sacred Heart faculty is a natural extension of her deep vocational call to empower faithful female leaders. Fostering a life-long appreciation for music and the transformative power of music-making is at the heart of who she is as an educator. She, her husband Michael, and their two teenage children, Eva and Noah, live in Wellesley.

Sara York Banosian - Academic Support Coordinator & Head Coach
Sara York Banosian is excited to join the Newton Sacred Heart community as the Academic Support Coordinator, Varsity Field Hockey Coach, and Varsity Hockey Coach. For the past three years, she has worked in Boston Public Schools as a Coordinator of Special Education. Prior to that, she worked at Watertown High School as the Evaluation Team Chair for seven years, Watertown Middle School in Special Education, and Newton Public Schools as an Inclusion Facilitator. She graduated from Boston College in 2006 and then went on to earn her Masters in Education (Special Education-Moderate), from University of Massachusetts, Boston. She lives in Watertown with her husband and three children, all of which have shared they will be Falcon Super Fans! Outside of school she enjoys coaching and doing just about anything outdoors with family and friends.

Artists in Residence

Lauren Cook - Stage Director
Lauren Cook holds a Masters of Music in Vocal Pedagogy from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She has worked as a director, voice and speech instructor, intimacy coordinator/choreographer spanning the theater, opera, and film industries. Her students have performed at many institutions such as Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Moonbox Productions, and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. She is currently working with CSC on their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Go check it out on the Boston Common now through August 9!

Dan Ryan - Music Director
Dan Ryan holds a Masters of Music from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and currently serves as Conductor and Music Director at Interlochen Arts Camp. He's been very busy with their production of West Side Story this summer! Ryan has worked as a conductor, composer, and artistic leader for many years including collaborations with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, MIT, The Boston Conservatory, and VOICES Boston Children's Choir. 

Nina Turovskiy - Assistant Costume Designer
Nina Turovskiy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design & Technology from Emerson College. She has previously worked as a design assistant on productions for the Lyric Stage, Cutler Majestic Theatre, and Emerson College, as well as creating and building costume pieces for students competing in the Youth American Grand Prix. She is also an illustrator and graphic design artist!