Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — The first day of classes at DeSales last Wednesday was a big day, but not just for the students. Five new teachers began their tenure at the Catholic elementary school in the Town of Lockport.

DeSales Principal Scott Fike was pleased to welcome the new faculty members to the DeSales family.

“The superior credentials and passion for teaching shared by these five professionals is indicative of the high expectations we have at DeSales and our commitment to offering a choice for quality Catholic education to local families,” Fike said.

Heather Alessi is the new Spanish teacher for DeSales students in pre-school through eighth grade. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish education from Buffalo State College, her master’s degree in English for Speakers of Other Languages from the University at Buffalo and spent time studying in Spain. Alessi has been teaching for five years, most recently at Wilson High School and looks forward to having an opportunity to work with younger students. She lives in Lockport with her husband Geoff and their two sons.

Hailey Barmasse is enjoying a bit of a homecoming as a first-grade teacher at DeSales, having graduated from the Catholic school in 2002. She went on to Lockport High School and then to SUNY Fredonia where she earned bachelor’s degrees in elementary and special education, with a minor in English. Barmasse also studied children’s literature at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst Mass., and is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program at Buffalo State College as a literacy specialist. 

Denise Croff brings 19 years of teaching experience to her third-grade classroom at DeSales. After earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Daemen College and a master’s degree from Niagara University, Croff taught a wide range of elementary and middle school grades in the Lockport City School District.

Elaine Thompson will be teaching 4-year old students in the Early Childhood program at DeSales. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with a concentration in history, from SUNY Brockport. She also has a master’s degree in early childhood education from Buffalo State College.

Lockport native Greg Wilson is the new physical education teacher for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. After earning his bachelor’s degree in education from SUNY Brockport, and his master’s degree from Canisius College, Wilson taught in the Lockport School District at the high school and middle schools. In addition to Phys Ed, he will teach a seventh grade health class at DeSales while continuing as a member of the coaching staff for the Lockport High School football and track teams.