Atrium

Cindy Wurzelbacher – Catechist

Cindy was introduced to and began volunteering with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd when her older daughter attended pre-primary at GSCM. As a former youth minister of 12 years, she fell in love with the method and philosophy. Cindy felt the youngest formation possible is a gift to the child in working towards a life-long relationship with Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Cindy is trained in Levels I, II, and III of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She comes to GSCM after directing CGS at St. Gertrude School and Parish, where she was blessed to coordinate volunteers and catechists, build and manage three atria, and coordinate the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion. Cindy graduated from the University of Dayton in 1995 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy and Certificate in Lay Ministry. She has completed many Masters level courses at the Athenaeum of Ohio. All along her career, working with children has been her calling. In addition to her church ministry work, she has served in social service positions in agencies, hospitals, and schools.  Cindy is thrilled and honored to return to the place where she first learned about CGS, and serve as a catechist and liturgy coordinator.

Nicholas Rottman – Assistant Catechist

Nick is a native of Northern Kentucky and has spent his adult life working in Catholic ministries.  He was employed for 9 years by the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky.  He was introduced to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd by his wife in 2017 and finished his Level 3 training in 2021.  Nick is thrilled to be able to use this training both at his home parish and here at the GSCM Atrium, where he began working as an Assistant Catechist in 2022.  He believes completely that teaching our students how to follow the Voice of the Good Shepherd is simply part of his own journey after the Good Shepherd.  Nick has undergraduate degrees in Literature, Philosophy, and Theology, as well as a Masters Degree in Theology.  He is grateful to the administration of GSCM and to the parents of his students for the opportunity to share the faith with our students.

Emily Hess – Assistant Catechist

Emily joined the GSCM community in 2022 as a volunteer in the atrium and was hired as an atrium assistant catechist in 2023. She also works with CGS at St. Gertrude Parish, and is trained in levels 1 and 2. Prior to GSCM, she worked in parish ministry in a variety of roles, including Sacramental Coordinator, Youth Minister, and Women’s Ministry. Emily graduated with a degree in Theology and Catechetics from Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she met her husband Jim. They have four children, the oldest two attend GSCM. Emily is thrilled to be working at GSCM—the place where she was first trained in CGS. This place helped her to fall more in love with this method of education, a method of true wonder, encounter, and relationship with Jesus.

Catherine Lopez – Assistant Catechist

Catherine Lopez is trained in all three levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She has worked in a variety of church and ministry settings, serving as a missionary with NET Ministries from 2010 to 2012. Catherine has helped guide students in CGS for more than a decade, and is passionate about this method of learning and growing in our Catholic faith. She and her husband Ryan were married in 2014, and have three children. Their two oldest children are students at GSCM with the youngest to follow soon!

Fine Arts

Natalie Yoder – Music Teacher

Natalie Yoder joined the GSCM community in 2020 as a general music teacher.  Natalie recently graduated in May of 2020 with a Bachelor of Music Education from Xavier University, where she participated in multiple choral ensembles and parish ministries.  A trained vocalist, Natalie’s main instrument is voice, and she has a deep passion for liturgical music, having sung in church choirs since grade school.  She has performed in multiple venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and the Kaufmann Center for Performing Arts in Kansas City.  Natalie continues to use her voice as part of ministry as a choir member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Cincinnati, as well as continuing her own musical studies.  While attending Xavier University, Natalie served as a music minister for student masses at Bellarmine Chapel.  One of seven children, Natalie is a native of the Dayton area and currently resides in Cincinnati with her husband.  In her free time, Natalie enjoys exploring nature, singing at weddings and concerts, spending time with family, and finding new coffee spots throughout Cincinnati.

Jennifer Borgert – Elementary Art Teacher

Jennifer joined the GSCM staff in 2019. Her story got even better when she met Ted Borgert. They married and dedicated themselves to raising a Catholic, home schooled, family of artists, musicians and hopefully good- to-be -with sort of people. In Jenifer’s free time, she offer her sewing skills to priests for their vestments and to brides for their wedding attire. Jennifer wishes she had more time to read, paint for the fun of it, and be outdoors. It is with continued eagerness for making projects and sharing knowledge of Art History that Jennifer joins the faculty at Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori.

Spanish

Ana Gallegos-Yavorsky – Spanish Teacher

Ana G Yavorsky, known as Miss Ana by many, is a devoted mother of four and a loving veteran’s wife, Ana’s passion for language and culture ignited when her first child was born. Recognizing the profound connection that speaking the same language could forge, she embarked on a mission to share her heritage and traditions on a deeper level. Through her unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of effective techniques, Ana developed a distinctive approach to using language as a parent. This method, honed and perfected with her four children, became a game-changer for her family. Witnessing the shared struggles of others families, Ana was inspired to extend her knowledge beyond her household.

In 2011, Spanish Play Dates©, she began traveling to various locations and schools, imparting the beauty of the Spanish language to families and children through playful activities and music. In 2019, Ana opened a Spanish Studio, offering classes for babies, preschoolers, and school-aged students. Over the years, she has touched the lives of countless students, both in person and online. Ana’s affirmation is simple when it comes to language acquisition: with consistency, regular exposure, and a few tried-and-true techniques, any person can weave the magic of language into their lives. 

Outdoor Education

Zach Gagel – Physical Education Teacher

Zach is a native of Cincinnati and a 1995 graduate of Moeller High School where he played football and lacrosse. He continued his lacrosse playing career at Ohio Wesleyan University earning a degree in physical education. After graduation, he started his coaching career as an assistant coach for Ohio Weslyan. He spent six seasons there before excepting a job with Lacrosse America where he ran youth and high school lacrosse leagues in Chicago. He has taught physical education and has worked at St. James of the Valley, Cardinal Pacelli and now GSCM. Zach resides in West Chester with his wife Jenny, and their four children, Matthew, Juliana, and Thomas, and Felicity. Zach is also the Facility Manager for GSCM.

Sheila Tobergte – Nature Teacher

Sheila (North) Tobergte earned her Bachelor of Science in Ecology/Marine Studies (2000) and her Masters of Science in Aquatic Ecology (2008). She has spent her career in stream and river research and restoration at various levels in the Pacific Northwest (Washington/Oregon) and Ohio. She previously built an Outreach/Education program for a non-profit salmon habitat recovery organization in WA as well. A mother to three wonderful children currently at GSCM, Sheila enjoys spending Friday afternoons with our kindergarten classes on campus joyfully hiking the trails, exploring the creeks and learning all about ecology during Nature Class!