Additional Faculty

Bob Barone – Physical Education/Athletic Director
Bob Barone has worked in education, both teaching and coaching, for over 20 years. He has taught and coached at all levels from kindergarten through high school. Bob started his education toward his Bachelors Degree at the University of La Verne and had to put it on hold to raise a family. In 1994, he returned to school and graduated with his B.S. from Pacific Western University. Originally from Los Angeles, Bob moved to Northern California to teach Physical Education at San Joaquin Memorial High School, where he also served as Head Football Coach. He then accepted a position at Our Lady of Perpetual Help teaching Physical Education. He also served as Athletic Director at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for 9 years. Bob is very excited to be a part of the Spartan Family and looks forward to many exciting years.

Joanna Jaroszewicz –Art
Joanna Jaroszewicz earned a double B.A. from UCLA in Art History and French Language Studies, and was concurrently enrolled in various Art courses at Otis School of Art, The Art Center in Pasadena, and Mission: Renaissance. During this time, Joanna also attended various private workshops and studio sessions. After graduating from UCLA, she worked as an assistant to the Art Director at St. Paul the Apostle School in West Los Angeles. Joanna feels blessed with the opportunity to combine her love of art with her love for children and watch young talent develop with her guidance. She also teaches Art at Corpus Christi School. In her fifth year at Saint Sebastian School, Joanna continues to share her enthusiasm for art.

Helen Wei Smolev- Mandarin Teacher
Helen Wei Smolev was born and raised in Shanghai, China. She earned her B.S. in Engineering in China. She moved to the United States in 1994 to advance her education. Two years later, Helen graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia with a Masters in Computer Science. Since her graduation, she has worked for a number of major U.S. corporations as a computer consultant. Currently she is working on her California Teaching Credential, a Masters degree in Bilingual Education and a Mandarin BCLAD in a “3-in-1” program from Loyola Marymount University. Helen has always had a passion for teaching children. She feels very fortunate that she has been given a chance to do the work that is dear to her heart at a wonderful place like Saint Sebastian School.

Yaping (Sophia) Yang
Yaping (Sophia) Yang grew up in Taipei, Taiwan. She earned her B.A. in Public Administration from National Taipei University. Ms. Yang furthered her studies at the National Dong Hwa University with a Master’s in Education. She also earned her two teaching credentials in Guidance and Civil & Government in Taiwan. She has previous experience teaching middle school and high school in Taiwan. She moved to the United States in 2002 and started to teach different Mandarin to students with non-Mandarin backgrounds. For a better understanding of American schools, students, and culture, she is in the Chinese Bilingual Teacher Education program at Loyola Marymount University and will earn her Master’s of Arts in Bilingual Secondary Education in this summer.

Andrea Fuentes-Teacher’s Assistant/After School Teacher
Andrea Fuentes attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana where she earned her B.A. in Spanish and in Philosophy. While at Notre Dame, Andrea served as a tutor for the university’s Academic Services for Student Athletes department. She also volunteered regularly at the South Bend Center for the Homeless, and she participated in various tutoring/mentoring programs at neighboring elementary schools. After graduating in May of 2008, Andrea began employment with a marketing agency, where she worked for a year on Coca-Cola’s college campus marketing program. After 5 years in the Midwest, Andrea has returned to her home state of California, where she has eagerly begun volunteering at Saint Sebastian School as a member of the national service program, AmeriCorps.

Theresa Swaney –After School Care Teacher/Teacher’s Assistant
Theresa Swaney grew up in the Iowa cornfields; her love of Iowa made her decide to attend the University of Iowa, where she received a B.A. in International Studies and Psychology. After college, having gained a strong interest in cultural studies, she decided to live and work in Europe for a few months, during which she spent time in both Scotland and Germany. She returned home to begin an internship in Washington DC for her local Iowa representative. Realizing she wasn't cut out for office life, in the fall of 2008 she pursued her interest in teaching and moved to Thailand to teach English. This past summer Theresa returned home with the hope of continuing to teach and applied to become an Americorps Fellow. She feels lucky to be working with the students and faculty at Saint Sebastian School.