SJA Profile

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.

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.   

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

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.  

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.