About
Sophia Institute for Teachers
Sophia Institute for Teachers was founded in 2013 to renew and rebuild Catholic culture through service to Catholic education. We were founded by Catholic teachers who wanted something different — engaging professional development and more effective materials that require less prep time. With the goal of nurturing the spiritual, moral, and cultural life of souls, and an abiding respect for the role and work of teachers, Sophia Institute for Teachers provides materials and programs that are at once enlightening to the mind and ennobling to the heart; faithful and complete, as well as useful and practical.
We Offer
Professional Development Programs
Since our first programs in 2014, we have conducted over 350 faith formation workshops for teachers and catechists in more than 60 dioceses and launched over 20 pre-recorded virtual workshops. At each program, teachers explore the Catholic Faith with an engaging catechetical scholar, and our master teachers will offer strategies for applying this new knowledge in the classroom. Plus they receive continuing education credits and a complimentary copy of one of our classroom-ready teacher’s guides.
Professional Development Programs
Since our first programs in 2014, we have conducted over 350 faith formation workshops for teachers and catechists in more than 60 dioceses and launched over 20 pre-recorded virtual workshops. At each program, teachers explore the Catholic Faith with an engaging catechetical scholar, and our master teachers will offer strategies for applying this new knowledge in the classroom. Plus they receive continuing education credits and a complimentary copy of one of our classroom-ready teacher’s guides.
Professional Development Programs
Since our first programs in 2014, we have conducted over 350 faith formation workshops for teachers and catechists in more than 60 dioceses and launched over 20 pre-recorded virtual workshops. At each program, teachers explore the Catholic Faith with an engaging catechetical scholar, and our master teachers will offer strategies for applying this new knowledge in the classroom. Plus they receive continuing education credits and a complimentary copy of one of our classroom-ready teacher’s guides.
Professional Development Programs
Since our first programs in 2014, we have conducted over 350 faith formation workshops for teachers and catechists in more than 60 dioceses and launched over 20 pre-recorded virtual workshops. At each program, teachers explore the Catholic Faith with an engaging catechetical scholar, and our master teachers will offer strategies for applying this new knowledge in the classroom. Plus they receive continuing education credits and a complimentary copy of one of our classroom-ready teacher’s guides.
Our Staff
Email Us at [email protected]
Want to join us? See our Employment Opportunities
Charlie McKinney
President, Sophia Institute
As President, Charlie defines, communicates, and implements the vision of Sophia Institute for Teachers.
Veronica Cruz Burchard
Chief Operating Officer
Veronica leads Sophia’s efforts to carry out its mission through the development, execution, and marketing of print and digital classroom materials and the highest quality professional development programs.
Ingrid Waldstein
Vice President of Education Programs
Ingrid supports teachers and catechists to more effectively lead their students to Christ using Spirit of Truth.
Dave Burglund
Senior Director of Operations
Dave ensures the smooth operation of all Sophia’s business processes.
Jose Gonzalez
Senior Director of Professional Development
Jose hosts and presents day-long and multi-day professional development programs for Catholic educators across the U.S.
Mike Gutzwiller
Director of Curriculum Development
Mike leads teams of teacher authors, spiritual advisors, and scholars to envision, write, edit, and produce our printed teacher’s guides.
Ethan O’Connor
Managing Editor
Ethan works with the curriculum development team to help ensure the production of high-quality print and digital classroom materials.
Heidi Peters
Education Programs Manager
Heidi oversees the planning and delivery of day-long and multi-day professional development programs for Catholic educators across the U.S.
Meghan Hynes
Education Programs Coordinator
Meghan coordinates the planning and delivery of day-long and multi-day professional development programs for Catholic educators across the U.S.
Alysha Daley
Manager of Marketing & Sales
Alysha serves schools interested in implementing our Pre-K-12 school Religion and Theology curricula.
Lily Scheetz
Manager of Marketing & Sales
Lily serves parishes interested in implementing our K-8 parish religious education curricula.
Norma Molina
Manager of Marketing & Sales
Norma serves parishes interested in implementing our Family Catechesis and Sacramental Preparation programs.
Dave Michaud
Senior Inventory Control Specialist
Dave works with the warehouse team to ensure the secure and timely shipment of Sophia’s classroom materials and other products.
Mark Kaschak
Digital Marketing Manager
Mark supports our sales team with digital and print marketing materials.
Academic Partners
Our Academic Partners contribute to teaching and program materials and co-present at programs.
Monsignor John R. Cihak, S.T.D.
Christ the King Catholic School
Milwaukie, OR
Dr. Richard Dougherty
University of Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dr. Jason King
St. Vincent College
Latrobe, PA
Dr. Stuart Leibiger
LaSalle University
Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Matthew Ramage
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
Dr. Scott Sollom
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH
Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH
Michel Therrien, S.T.L, S.T.D
Perambula Group
Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. Amy Roberts
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH
Prof. Todd Zywicki
George Mason University School of Law
Arlington, VA
Dr. Jeremy Sienkiewicz
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
Dr. James Pauley
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH
Dr. John-Mark Miravalle
Mount St. Mary Seminary
Emmitsburg, MD
Fr. Thomas Dailey
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
Philadelphia, PA
Teacher Advisory Council
Our teacher advisors write original lesson plans as well as pilot-test draft resources before publication.
Sr. Amelia, O.P.
Mount de Sales Academy
Baltimore, MD
Sarah Brenner
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Wichita, KS
Jackie Diebold
Mount Royal Academy
Sunapee, NH
Raphael Domingo
St. Andrew School
Los Angeles California
Trisha Duman
St. Joseph’s School
Salem, OR
Sean Fitzpatrick
Headmaster, St. Gregory the Great Academy
Scranton, PA
Don Forster
St. Patrick’s School
Wichita, KS
Susan Freethy
St. Benedict’s Academy
Manchester, NH
Cindy McDonald Kelly
Homeschooling Parent
Melbourne, FL
Mark Lajoie
Bishop Guertin High School
Nashua, NH
Kristen Law
Homeschooling Parent
Colorado Springs, CO
Michael McLaughlin
Austin Preparatory School
Reading, MA
Deacon Chris Paul
Bishop Brady High School
Concord, NH
Beth Raymond
Bishop Guertin High School
Nashua, NH
Cecelia Reynolds
St. Ambrose School
Boulder, CO
Steve Rummelsburg
Holy Spirit Prep
Atlanta, Georgia
Derek Tremblay
Mount Royal Academy
Sunapee, NH
Danielle Urban
St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School
Wichita, KS
Michael Verlander
St. George Academy
Atlanta, GA
Janet Wigoff
Blessed Pope John Paul II High School
Philadelphia, PA
