Holy Cross Academy
(PreK-8th)
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders
Meet the Team
Laura Dunneback
Favorites
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Laura Dunneback - Kindergarten Teacher
Contact Info:
Experiences & Accomplishments:
My name is Laura Dunneback and I have the honor of teaching Kindergarten at Holy Cross Academy! I am originally from Munster, Indiana and a graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. I have a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Reading Instruction. I previously taught in Fredericksburg City and Stafford County before finding my way to HCA preschool. I was blessed to teach our littlest Saints, Scholars, and Leaders for four years before moving up to the ‘Big School’ in order to continue to foster a love of God and learning! This is my 18th year of teaching and every year has been such a blessing! My favorite Saint is Elizabeth Ann Seton as her work has had a direct affect on my life. Her love for Catholic Education and her big family resonates with me. My husband and I, both teachers, have four children of our own and we have hundreds of other children we will always call our students. I rely on Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton to guide me on my journey in Catholic education and at home with my vocation as a mother. “If you are to do HIS work, the strength will be given to you.”- Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Three of my children are HCA Crusaders and my littlest one is at our preschool this year! My hobby is TEACHING and I love Notre Dame Football. People make me happy and my family is my world. I often joke that I will be at Holy Cross for 100 years! I love serving the families of HCA and I feel so blessed that God has chosen this path for me. See you on campus!
God is SO good
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Donna Godek
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Donna Godek - Kindergarten Teacher
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Experience & Accomplishments:
Teaching has been a part of my life for the past 36 years. As a military spouse I was afforded the opportunity to teach across the country and in Germany. I’ve taught preschool thru 5th grade in military, private, and public schools. And my heart smiles when I say that I finally found my home here in kindergarten at HCA 18 years ago. Years ago, during one of my job searches, I was asked what my dream job was. Without hesitation I told my friend that I would do anything to teach kindergarten in a catholic school. I never imagined that God’s plan and my dream were the same. To spend my days living my faith and watching young minds begin to grasp the greatness of God is truly a blessing. My goal each day for my students is to create a love for learning and a desire to develop a relationship with the Lord. When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my 3 grandchildren. I also enjoy traveling, reading, gardening, and all things at the beach. But during the school year, I live for classroom discussions with creative young minds, projects that involve lots of glitter, and snow days! Kindergarten is a magical place to be
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Kristin Waters
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Kristin Waters - 1st Grade Teacher
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Experience & Accomplishments:
I look forward to returning to the Holy Cross Academy family this year.
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Kim Johnson
Favorites
- Running
- Teaching
- Disney
Kim Johnson - 1st Grade Teacher
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Experience & Accomplishments:
My name is Kim Johnson and I am blessed to have been a part of the Holy Cross Academy/St. Mary Parish community since moving to Virginia from my home state of Louisiana in 2000. My journey to kindergarten began in 2006 when I was hired as an aide at St. Mary Preschool while completing my undergraduate degree in biology. At St. Mary, I discovered a passion for working with young children and was inspired by the faith, enthusiasm and dedication of my colleagues, which changed my career aspirations. I was invited to join the faculty as a lead teacher following graduation, where I taught for the next nine years before moving to kindergarten in 2017. It was a big leap but I was ready for a new challenge! I love working with our younger students to explore and recognize God’s love in the beauty and wonder of His gifts which lie within us and around us each and every day. I graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a BLS in Biology and I am certified by the Virginia Catholic Education Association. I have earned Basic Catechist Certification from the Diocese of Arlington and am currently working towards Advanced Catechist Certification. I have been trained by the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education in the Orton- Gillingham method which incorporates multi-sensory activities with explicit, systematic reading instruction and I am a Google Certified Educator Level 1. My husband Philip and I have three grown children, Lawrence, Katherine, and James, all graduates of Holy Cross Academy. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, running, traveling and dancing!
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Allison Ennis
Favorites
- Running
- Teaching
- Disney
Allison Ennis- 2nd Grade Teacher
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Mary Sanger
Favorites
- Running
- Teaching
- Disney
Mary Sanger - 2nd Grade Teacher
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Experience & Accomplishments:
My passion is teaching people about God and our awesome catholic faith. I am from Panama City, Florida. I was the high school youth director at my old parish and also taught 2nd grade Religious Education. Upon moving to Fredericksburg five years ago, I decided to slowly start working on my college degree. I graduated in 2020 from the University of Mary Washington. I am happily married with three adorable children. Two of my children have graduated from HCA and one is currently in the 7th grade. I am childlike, energetic, and simply adore children of all ages. I tell my students that my classroom is the place where they are supposed to take on challenges, fail, and learn from their failures. I love seeing the growth that happens when my students push themselves to the limits, struggle, and then finally find success. I teach with four simple ingredients: love, compassion, energy, and a smile. I am excited to be teaching 2nd grade and cannot wait to bring my love of the Eucharist and our catholic faith to my amazing students
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Megan Dougherty
Favorites
- Running
- Teaching
- Disney
Megan Dougherty - 3rd Grade Teacher
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Cheryl Stevens
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- Running
- Teaching
- Disney
Cheryl Stevens - 3rd Grade Teacher
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Experience & Accomplishments:
I am excited to return to Holy Cross Academy and to begin the 2025-2026 school year, as a Third-Grade teacher. This is my sixth year at Holy Cross Academy, returning for my fourth year as a Third-Grade teacher. I am certified as a teacher through the Virginia Catholic Education Association.
Prior to joining Holy Cross Academy, I was a career Marine, serving 20 years as a Criminal Investigations Officer, with specialized training in child abuse prevention and investigative techniques and juvenile crimes. I am a 2019 graduate of Excelsior College, Summa Cum Laude, with a liberal arts major, with an area of focus in criminal justice.
My volunteer experience includes Holy Cross Academy Running Club coach, Vacation Bible School crew leader, Second-Grade classroom assistant, and Chapter Captain, Team Red, White, and Blue.
I am the proud mother of Holy Cross Academy 5th grade student and 4-2 Scholar Award recipient, Murdoch, and a loving wife to my husband, Joshua, of 15 years. We were so blessed to have shared the convalidation of our marriage with many school families last school year.
I love the beach, running, spending time with my family, and watching Murdoch play baseball.
I look forward to returning to the Holy Cross Academy family this year.
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Lauryn Wheatley
Favorites
- Running
- Teaching
- Disney
Lauryn Wheatley - 4th Grade Teacher
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Mary Buer
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- Running
- Teaching
- Disney
Mary Buer - 4th Grade Teacher
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Michelle Haywood
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- Running
- Teaching
- Disney
Michelle Haywood - 5th Grade Teacher
Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders Since 1998
Dawn Szabo
Favorites
- Running
- Teaching
- Disney
Dawn Szabo - 5th Grade t