About the Elementary School Faculty

Jennifer LaForge -5th Grade
Mrs. Jennifer LaForge graduated from Washington State University in 2003, earning her B.A in Elementary Education. She then moved to Las Vegas where she earned her Masters of Education from UNLV in Curriculum and Instruction and a certification as a K-12 reading specialist. Jen taught both fourth grade and first grade in Las Vegas. In addition to her classroom duties, she served as site coordinator for the after school program at her school. Jen also served in Americorps, the national service program. With five years teaching experience, Jen is very excited to be a part of the Saint Sebastian community as the 5th grade teacher.

John Williams - 4th Grade Teacher
John Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a K-12 multiple subject credential from California State University Northridge. John was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley where he graduated from Chaminade College Preparatory High school in West Hills. He has taught fourth grade for 30 years at two different Westside schools. John brings a sense of humor to the classroom setting while instilling a strong work ethic. He loves to play and watch all sports and has a passion for listening to pop/rock music in his free time. John is thrilled to be a part of the Saint Sebastian community. He wishes to build strong Christian faith and good moral character in our youth today.

Heidi Altenberg – 3rd Grade Teacher
Heidi Altenberg earned her B.A from California State University at Dominguez Hills and her Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University. She is a native Californian. Heidi has shared her passion for teaching at Saint Sebastian School for ten years now. She has experience teaching middle school and first grade. After spending a year traveling in 2007, Heidi returned to Saint Sebastian and found her place in third grade. She shows her true dedication to the Saint Sebastian community through her involvement with several of the school’s programs. She is an active member of the Booster Club and PTO. Heidi also served at Yearbook Coordinator for several years and worked hard as Carnival Chairperson for the 2009 Spirit of the 60s Carnival.

Julie Weldon - 2nd Grade Teacher
Julie Weldon holds a B.A. from Scripps College and an M.M. from New England Conservatory of Music. Julie also completed a rigorous internship program through the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in order to earn her California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Upon completion of this program, Julie was recognized as one of the outstanding teachers of her class. For 6 years, Julie taught within LAUSD, where she taught both 2nd and 4th grades. With her background in the arts, Julie also helped to establish an arts program at her previous school which incorporated music, dance, theater, and art across all areas of the curriculum. In her 4th year at St. Sebastian School, Julie is thrilled to be a part of a school that promotes Catholic beliefs. Julie strives to give all of her children an excellent education in order to prepare them for a successful future.

John Rodgers - 1st grade
John Rodgers earned his undergraduate degree in History from Wake Forest University and his J.D. from Washington and Lee University. He has previously taught in other elementary schools within the Archdiocese, and he has been a substitute teacher at Boston-area high schools. Mr. Rodgers’s favorite subject to teach is Social Studies. Prior to entering the teaching profession, Mr. Rodgers enjoyed successful careers as a military officer-helicopter pilot, lawyer, and corporate executive. Mr. Rodgers loves putting his passion for teaching to work at St. Sebastian School.

Rosa Buelna-1st Grade Teacher’s Aide
Rosa Buelna attended University of California Los Angeles where she studied Early Childhood Education. She has taught Early Childhood Education and Development and art for over 20 years in Santa Monica, the Pacifi Palisades, and the greater West Los Angeles area. She is a proud mother of two sons and two daughters and a loving grandmother to her two lovely, young grandsons. Rosa continues to share her creativity and passion for education with the Saint Sebastian School community for her fifth year. Her love and dedication to her “children” has fulfilled her heart and soul for many years and believes that children are truly the voice and force of our future.

Lisa Scaltrito – Kindergarten
St. Sebastian School welcomes Lisa Scaltrito to Kindergarten this year! After graduating from University of California at San Diego in Communication, she realized her passion for children and education while working with Dr. Michael Cole and the Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition. After completing a project involving elementary aged children, Lisa focused on getting her teaching Credential and continued on to receive her Elementary Curriculum and Language Acquisition and Development (CLAD) Credential from University of San Diego. Lisa has been a part of Catholic Education, from her early years attending Mount Alvernia Academy to being a Catholic School teacher her entire teaching career. Lisa has taught for 18 years and is passionate about education! She looks forward to many great adventures with her Kindergarten class.

Jershawn Hewing – Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant
Jershawn Hewing is working hard in his second year as the Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant at Saint Sebastian School. Jershawn first joined the school community as the girls’ basketball coach in the winter of 2007. He then became a substitute teacher for the elementary and middle school. Additionally, Jershawn taught middle school physical education, coached girls and boys’ athletics, and coordinated the after school K-2 day care here at Saint Sebastian. Jershawn received a B.S. in Physical Education from California State University Bakersfield. In Bakersfield, CA Jershawn was a teacher’s assistant at Valley Achievement Center, a school for students with autism. He was also a volunteer track and field coach, and he worked at a housing unit for troubled teens. In addition to teaching in Kindergarten, he also continues to coach boys and girls’ athletics for Saint Sebastian.

Mary Steedle - Resource Specialist
Mary Steedle joined the Saint Sebastian School community in the Fall of 2005 and has been sharing her passion for education ever since. Mary has served at a variety of Catholic schools during her 25 years of teaching. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Duquesne University. In 1998, Mary was the recipient of the Golden Apple Award from the Diocese of Pittsburgh for excellence in teaching. Several years ago, Mary enjoyed being the principal of a Catholic School in Pittsburgh for a short time. She also served as the Vice Principal for the elementary grades at Saint Sebastian School for three years. Mary has now returned to her primary passion: teaching in the classroom.