Amy Darpel is a lifelong Northern Kentuckian. She graduated from Villa Madonna Academy and pursued degrees at Thomas More College. She has spent her entire teaching career advocating for gifted students and working with students who struggle with Executive Functioning Disorder. Amy has had various roles at Covington Latin School including admissions, marketing, Executive Director of ExploreMore!, and Director of Advancement.
Mrs. Darpel is married to her high school sweetheart and has three children and one grandchild. Her son, Jake, attended CLS and graduated in 2016.
Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.
- Einstein
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. - Mother Teresa
Samantha Darpel grew up in Northern Kentucky and attended Notre Dame Academy and Thomas More University, where she majored in Communications, English, and Theater. She received her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of the Cumberlands. Samantha has served as CLS's Theater Director for many years, using her vast experience from high school and college productions. In addition to theater, Samantha teaches English, Speech, and Film. She has served as the Director of ExploreMore! and Camp Invention summer programs.
Ms. Darpel is married to her college sweetheart and has one son, Edwin, and a dog, Clyde.
Alexandra McIntosh is a writer and teacher living in Kentucky, her favorite place in the world. Her debut collection of poetry, Bowlfuls of Blue, was published by Assure Press in 2021. Her background is varied—she received her B.A. in Adventure Leadership from Asbury University in a program that used outdoor activities (backpacking, rock-climbing, and canoeing) as the basis for theoretical discussions about nontraditional education; her M.A. is in English from Northern Kentucky University, where her thesis focused on women writing about nature; and she earned an MFA in Poetry from Miami University. Some of Alexandra's favorite writers include Wendell Berry, Jorrie Graham, Christian Wiman, Elena Ferrante, and Thomas Merton; she especially likes books contemplating the natural world and our place in it. Alexandra serves on the Board of the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy, planning and hosting events at the Harlan Hubbard Studio and Nature Preserve and overseeing the Hubbard Artist-in-Residence program in conjunction with the Behringer-Crawford Museum.
Magister Ryan Divine grew up in Sugarland, Texas, and Northern Kentucky, where he graduated from Covington Latin School in 2016. While at Latin School, he was involved in the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) all four years and the Basketball, Cross-Country, and Golf teams. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and Minors in Mathematics and Chemistry. He completed his Master's in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati in 2022.
Ryan heavily indebts himself to the Classics. He has traveled to Greece and Rome to experience firsthand the literature, archeology, and mythology taught in the classroom. While in college, he attended nine NJCL conventions and served as the 2018-2019 National Senior Classical League Historian, NSCL Website Committee member, and NSCL Publications Committee member. He is currently serving as the Kentucky JCL State Chair.
Magister Divine teaches Latin II and III, Pre-Algebra, Honors Statistics, and Introduction to Business and Financial Literacy through Thomas More Dual Enrollment. He sponsors the school’s JCL chapter, Ski Club, and House System. He is beyond excited to return as part of the Latin School community and share the same passion for education and the classics that he gained through CLS.
"To make the ancients speak, we must feed them with our own blood." - Ulrich Von Wilamowitz-Moellendor
Jo Guido grew up in Northern Kentucky, attending St. Vincent and St. Catherine elementary schools. She is the oldest of seven children and a Northern Kentucky University graduate. Her undergraduate degree is in mathematics, and she has earned a Master of Arts as Teacher of Mathematics from the University of Cincinnati. After graduating from NKU, she began teaching math in Cincinnati Public Schools, where she spent 33 years, retiring in 2018. The recipient of many teaching awards, Ms. Guido was most recently selected as the winner of the Hawkin’s Award – a yearly award given to one outstanding CPS teacher.
Ms. Guido spent the first half of her career teaching 7th and 8th-grade math at Shroder Paideia, a school based on classical methods of education, incorporating seminars, academic coaching, and didactic instruction. The remaining years were spent teaching 11th and 12th grade at Clark Montessori (the first public Montessori High School east of the Mississippi). As an 11th and 12th grade teacher, she has taught Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, and dual enrollment Calculus and Statistics.
Ms. Guido was enjoying her retirement, hiking, creating artfully stitched decorative balls called Temari, tutoring, traveling the country teaching teachers, and visiting with her grandchildren when a friend suggested she might be a good fit for a math position at Covington Latin. When Ms. Guido was in elementary school, girls weren’t yet admitted to Covington Latin, and she is excited to finally have an opportunity to be a part of the Covington Latin family.
Mr. Evan Harmeling has lived in Northern Kentucky his entire life. He graduated from Covington Catholic High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Thomas More University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Education. Mr. Harmeling worked in a veterinary clinic for four years before becoming the biology teacher at Covington Latin. He discovered his love of teaching while working as a T.A. for several biology labs during his undergraduate career. He is excited to be teaching in the Diocese of Covington.
Mr. Harmeling enjoys spending his free time experiencing the natural world. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and all-around outdoorsman. He hopes to one day visit all of our nation’s national parks. His other interests include spending time with his family and playing musical instruments.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God remains forever.” –Isaiah 40:8
Mr. Hayes attended the University of Kentucky for his B.A. and M.S. degrees in Secondary Science Education. He has taught in Kentucky and Ohio schools for over twenty years. In 2019, he earned his Ed.S. degree from the University of the Cumberlands in school administration. In 2021, he earned his principal license from Xavier University. Mr. Hayes is passionate about learning and achievement for students. He is thrilled to be part of Covington Latin Schools as both an Academic Dean and Science Faculty member.
Mr. Hayes enjoys hiking and traveling. He has been to Europe 16 times. He also has two amusing dogs, Humphrey a basset hound and Zoey a labradoodle.
Isaiah 41:13 says, "For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you'".
Since Ms. Haynes could walk and climb onto her Dad’s desk, she was stealing highlighters and ink pens, drawing rudimentary figures onto his paperwork and documents. Since then, art has been her passion. She draws almost every day to express herself.
Ms. Haynes attended Dixie Heights High School in Edgewood, Kentucky (2017). She was a finalist in the Overture Awards for Visual Art in her senior year. She is a two-sport letterman in Track and Cross Country. After high school, Madyson earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Thomas More University (2021). Her artwork has been published in various books, “Words” “SOS Art Food and Justice,” and ``ABC Book for Waste and Recycling.” Her art medium specialty is Ceramics, Illustration, Printmaking, and Watercolor.
She was an Outreach Art Instructor for Baker Hunt in Covington, KY. She went to Sixth District Elementary School, Newport Intermediate School, and John G. Carlisle in the Outreach program. She is still an instructor for numerous youth classes at Baker Hunt.
When she is not working, Ms. Haynes stays busy spending time with family, staying active at the gym, making numerous art pieces, and enjoying being outdoors.
Ms. Light is very excited to be returning to her alma mater as a history teacher! Inspired by the great teachers who taught her, Ms. Light earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Thomas More University in 2019, with minors in English and Philosophy. She worked in the fine art and antique auction business for almost four years. There she had hands-on experience with some of the most valuable and unique privately held artworks and artifacts in the world. While working, she earned her Master of Arts in Public History from Northern Kentucky University in 2022.
Ms. Light has a dachshund named Lady Sybil, “Sybbie” for short. She enjoys live music, classic literature, and traveling. She is a parishioner at the Cathedral and is deeply impacted by her Catholic faith.
"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it." - Flannery O'Connor
"Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy..." - Thomas Merton
"To remain ignorant of history is to remain forever a child." - Cicero
Dr. Noll grew up in Northern Kentucky, was born and raised in Edgewood, and attended St. Pius X Elementary School and Villa Madonna Academy High School, where she played basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball. While earning a B.A. in Social Studies (1995) and an M.A. in Secondary Education (2000) with a concentration in History from Northern Kentucky University, she coached volleyball and basketball teams at the junior high and high school levels. She went back to school to earn her Ph.D. in Educational Studies (2007) from the University of Cincinnati and was an Assistant Professor of Education at NKU for five years. She worked in the private sector for four years as an employee of the E.W. Scripps Company but felt a calling to return to education. Before taking the Interim Head of School position at Covington Latin School, she served as the principal of St. Patrick School in Maysville, Kentucky, for four years.
Having a passion for learning about different cultures and education, Dr. Noll was able to combine these two interests when she hosted foreign high school students from China and South Korea. She had six different "daughters" who lived with her and went to Villa Madonna Academy from 2011-2020. She visited some of her daughters and their parents on a 14-day, once-in-a-lifetime trip to China and South Korea in 2014. Several of them still live in the States after graduation from U.S. colleges and universities, and she is able to keep up with them via social media.
Dr. Noll is pleased to take on the challenge of leading Covington Latin and instilling in students a love of God, of neighbor, and of learning. She hopes that the school's motto, "Teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge," becomes a way of life that permeates the school and guides the lives of faculty, staff, and students.
Zorada Porter was born in the Appalachian Hills of Eastern Kentucky and graduated from Saint Joseph High School in 2015. She moved to Northern Kentucky to begin her undergraduate degree program at Northern Kentucky University, graduating Summa
Cum Laude with a B.A. in English literature. After feeling her calling towards teaching, she is working on her MAT at Northern Kentucky University. When she is not teaching or working on her degree, she enjoys spending time at home with her cats, drinking a cup of tea, and relaxing with a book. Her hobbies include crafting, and working on her novel.
James Stebbins was born in Salt Lake City, UT. He spent his childhood in many places, including Houston, TX, and New York City, before moving to Northern Kentucky. He graduated from Covington Latin School in 2016. At Covington Latin School, he was involved in JCL and played golf. James then attended Xavier University, graduating from the CPHAB program, with minors in Biology and Philosophy, in 2020. The Classics and Philosophy Honors Bachelor of the Arts program has given James profound respect for the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome. James completed his Masters in the Arts of Teaching at Thomas More University.
James has been in love with the Classics since entering Covington Latin School. He has tutored Latin at all levels for seven years, and Greek for three years. He also studied ancient medical ethics and doctor-patient relationships for his CPHAB thesis and earned the Zahurancik award for distinction in the CPHAB program upon graduation. James will be teaching AP Latin and Ancient Greek, and cannot wait to share his enthusiasm for the ancient world with his students.
Non scholae sed vitae discimus. -Latin Proverb
Sandy Syfert has lived in Northern Kentucky most of her life. She attended Notre Dame Academy, then pursued a nursing degree at Thomas More College. After working as a nurse for several years, she attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati. As a family practice physician, she worked in various settings, including office work, a clinic in Over-the-Rhine, and home visits in multiple settings. She took time off to homeschool several of her five children. More recently she has been teaching in the diocese, including a year at St Cecilia and subbing at various diocesan schools. She has helped initiate and lead several faith-based groups for children through adults over the years. She loved teaching health last year, and is excited to teach theology to the Form III students!
In addition to a wonderful husband, she has four daughters, one son, and one beautiful little granddaughter. Interests include playing with her granddaughter, keeping up with her adult children, hiking, playing pickleball, and reading a good book.
Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Emily Whalen has lived in the Greater Cincinnati area her whole life. She graduated from St. Henry District High School and attended Xavier University for her Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Master's of Education. She also works as a part-time tutor at Huntington Learning Center. Currently, she is pursuing a licensure in integrated social studies. When not doing "school work" as a teacher or for her own continuing education, Emily enjoys reading, hiking, playing board games with friends, and rock climbing.
