SJA Profile

Our students are accepted to a wide range of universities throughout the United States. Find out just some of the colleges SJA students have been accepted to over the past 5 years.

Accreditation and Membership

St. Joseph Academy Catholic High School has been fully accredited since 1924 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school holds membership in the National Catholic Education Association, The Florida Catholic Conference, The College Board, The National Association for College Admissions Counseling, and Florida High School Athletic Association.

Administration

Principal

Dean of Students

Scott Sekeres

Faculty Information

Title(s)

Dean of Students

Contact Information

(Primary)

Education

Degree(s)

Master of Education, Social Studies, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of North Florida

Other Information

Biography

Mr. Sekeres holds his Florida Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education Grades K-6, Social Science 5-9, and Social Science 6-12.

He began teaching as a graduate student in Minnesota on September 11, 2001 and worked in various schools in the Twin Cities before moving back home to Northeast Florida. He taught 4th grade in Jacksonville as a certified ESL teacher before teaching Social Studies at St. Joseph Academy, where he is now in his 12th year. This is his fourth year as Dean of Students.

Director of Athletics

Sherri Nowatzki

Faculty Information

Title(s)

Athletic Director, Girls Basketball Coach, P.E. Teacher

Contact Information

(Primary)

Education

Degree(s)

Master of Sport Management, Sports Science and Administration, United States Sports Academy, Daphne, AL
Bachelor of Science, Communication Media and Public Relations, State University of New York

Other Information

Biography

Ms. Nowatzki holds her Florida Teaching Certificate in Physical Education K-12 and Journalism. She received her New York State Permanent Coaching Certification in May of 1989. She has over 25 years of experience in being an Athletic Director and is in her 12th year at St. Joseph Academy

Director of Admissions

Kristin Grover

Faculty Information

Title(s)

Director of Admissions, Sponsor for SALT, Sponsor for Anchor Club

Contact Information

(Primary)

Education

Degree(s)

Bachelor of Science, Finance, Florida State University
Master of Business Administration, Business Administration, University of North Florida

Other Information

Biography

Mrs. Grover holds her Florida Certification in Business Education 6-12. She spent the first 12 years of her career in financial Analysis, Energy Trading and Power Management. After living in Seattle for 7 years to trade energy she came home to the Jacksonville area and managed an office in the medical field for 3 years. Mrs. Grover has been a professional photographer since 2015 and running her own business. She transitioned into the education field this year as a Director of Admissions and marketing for the school.

Mrs. Grover grew up in the Jacksonville area and now resides in St. Johns with her husband and 3 young kids, Carter, Wyatt, and Peyton.

Director of Advancement

Jodi Kotrady-Hatin

Faculty Information

Title(s)

Director of Advancement

Contact Information

(Primary)

Education

Degree(s)

Bachelor of Arts, Communications, University of North Florida

Other Information

Biography

Mrs. Kotrady-Hatin , (UNF, ' 92 BA Communications/Public Relations), Director of Advancement coordinates SJA special events/fundraisers, alumni relations while also working with the incredible team of SJA Volunteers. Mrs. Kotrady-Hatin also works with Mrs. Grover on Marketing and Communications, promoting St. Joseph Academy to our local and surrounding communities. She has grown up and lived in St. Augustine, Florida for most of her life. She worked in the financial services industry for over 16 years with Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to joining St. Joseph Academy in July of 2000, Mrs. Kotrady-Hatin was the Director of Community Relations and Marketing for Century 21 Saltwater Property Group. She is past president of the Rotary Club of St. Augustine where she has been an active Rotarian for 24 years and recently served as Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 6970. She is a past Advisory School Board member for Cathedral Parish School where she continues to serve on finance council. She serves on the Parish Finance Council for the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Mrs. Kotrady-Hatin is also an advocate for the PKU Community and NewBorn Screening on a local, state and federal level. During football season she enjoys working freelance with CBS Sports.

Jodi resides in St. Augustine Beach with her husband Joe of 21 years and their two daughters Harlow and Hailey.

Counseling Department

Dean of Academics

Gaylene Hollis

Faculty Information

Title(s)

Dean of Academics, American Sign Language Teacher, ASL Honor Society Sponsor, PMP Coordinator

Contact Information

(Primary)

Education

Degree(s)

Bachelor of Arts, Education, University of North Florida
Master of Arts, Special Education-Deaf Education, University of North Florida

Other Information

Biography

Mrs. Hollis holds her Florida Teaching Certification in Hearing Impaired K-12, ESE K-12, and Elementary Ed K-6.

She is the ASL (American Sign Language) teacher at St. Joseph Academy. She has been teaching for 16 years, 13 years here at SJA. In addition, I she taught Kindergarten - 2nd grade Deaf children in Clay County. She was an adjunct at St. Johns River State College from 2010 - 2015 and a Dual Enrollment Instructor from 2016 to current.

Administrative Assistant

Sharon Ferschke

Faculty Information

Title(s)

Administrative Assistant for Student Services

Contact Information

(Primary)

School Counselor

Carolyn Ziminski

Faculty Information

Title(s)

Guidance Counselor

Contact Information

(Primary)

Education

Degree(s)

Masters, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, Jacksonville University

Other Information

Biography

Mrs. Ziminski graduated from Jacksonville University with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, Licensed as an LMHC in the State of Florida, and has additional qualifications in trauma. Mrs. Ziminski has a background working with DCF/FIP in St. Johns County, addictions, trauma, child, adolescent, and family therapy. She has worked with disability populations throughout her life including in her graduate school internship.

Information Technology

IT Coordinator

IT Coordinator

CJ Emerson

Faculty Information

Title(s)

IT Coordinator

Contact Information

(Primary)

Mr. Todd DeClemente

Faculty Information

Title(s)

Principal

Contact Information

(Primary)

Education

Degree(s)

Master in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy, Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Arts, English, University of North Florida
Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy, University of North Florida

Other Information

Biography

Mr. Declemente holds his Florida Teaching Certificate in Educational Leadership and English 6-12.

Mr. Todd DeClemente has served as the principal of St. Joseph Academy since 2015 and has worked in our Diocese since 2000. He joined the Academy after being the Principal of Cathedral Parish School in St. Augustine. He is also the former Dean of Academics and an AP Literature teacher at Bishop John J. Snyder High School in Jacksonville. Mr. DeClemente earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University and holds Bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Florida in both English and Philosophy. He completed the University of Notre Dame’s Ace Leadership Principals Academy and received a Catholic School Management certificate in Effective Catholic School Administration, also at Notre Dame. In his work as a Catholic school educator he sees two vital responsibilities. To support students on their path to college and to keep them on the road to Heaven. He does so by the words of St. Augustine: “Work like it’s all up to you; pray like it’s all up to God.” He and his wife, Kristen, who teaches in our Diocese as well, have two daughters, Isabella and Gabriella. When he’s not at school sporting events or following his girls to volleyball matches and gymnastics meets, Todd serves as a lector in his parish, enjoys grilling, exercise, hiking, playing guitar, and doing a little radio broadcasting work on the side.


Grade	Numeric	Points	Honors/AP
A	90-100	4.0	5.0
B	80-89	3.0	4.0
C	70-79	2.0	3.0
D	60-69	1.0	1.0
F	59 & below	0	0

Honor Roll: Academic Honor Roll is calculated using an un-weighted GPA

Principal's High Honor Roll: A's only

Principal's Honor Roll: A's and B's Honor Roll