It is with great pleasure that Saint Joseph School announces the hiring of two new faculty members for the 2022-2023 school year. The instructors have been attracted to Saint Joseph School by our rigorous and balanced academics, commitment to the visual and performing arts, and strong community.
Mrs. Alysha Smith will join us as an Art teacher. Mrs. Smith received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Keene State College. She also has her MA teaching certification. Mrs. Smith has always known that she wanted to be a teacher. When looking back, she realized that the connections she made with her teachers as a child helped guide her to become the teacher she is today. After college, Mrs. Smith worked at a daycare teaching kindergarten for many years. After transitioning to public school, she worked as a paraprofessional at Park Ave Elementary School for three years. After the birth of her second child, Mrs. Smith decided to stay home with her boys. However, she is excited to return to work after three years. While she has always wanted to work with children, her passion in life has been art. She loves to CREATE! From painting to sewing and anything in between. Mrs. Smith says, “I am in my happy place if I am creating, and I am ecstatic to help foster that same passion for art with my students at Saint Joseph School.”
Mrs. Brenda Lau will join Saint Joseph School as the new Music Instructor and Choir Director. Mrs. Lau grew up in Panama singing and listening to Canto/Mando-pop and Latin music. Her natural musicianship led to early success when she won the first edition of the Panamanian version of American Idol, Vive la música 2010 (Batalla de las Estrellas / ‘Battle of the Stars’). Mrs. Lau graduated with a professional diploma in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music in 2020. Since graduating, she has worked as a Music & Movement teacher at an early education center in Brookline and performed the national anthem for the Boston Bruins during the 2018–2019 season, following the retirement of local legend Rene Rancourt, who sang the anthem for the Bruins for 42 years! Mrs. Lau is a member of the Panama Jazz Festival, where she annually teaches a songwriting masterclass as part of the festival. As a Festival participant, she has shared the stage and recorded in the last few years with renowned musicians Sheila E., Danilo Perez, Ivan Barrios, Ednita Nazario, Grettel Garibaldi, Osvaldo Ayala, Javier Limón, and Richard Willis. As a voice teacher, Mrs. Lau believes that whether you have stage aspirations or are simply interested in learning more about singing, voice lessons are a great way to build confidence and grow your sense of self. She personalizes her teaching method to support each student in reaching their full potential as a singer. Mrs. Lau will introduce a recorder and ukulele program to Saint Joseph School. She is also excited to have the opportunity to rebuild the Children’s Choir. In addition, to working in the classroom with our students, Mrs. Lau will offer private lessons in voice, guitar, ukulele, and keyboard.
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Lau to our Saint Joseph School community. They will undoubtedly bring their vibrancy to our school!
