Meet Our New Faculty & Staff

We’re pleased to welcome new faculty and staff members to the Bishop Hendricken family! A school is only as successful as their teachers and staff are highly qualified, supportive, and dedicated. These educators are all of the above and more, and they join a faculty that is unmatched in its commitment to our boys.

Students and parents will get to know our newest members very well inside the classroom (or office), so here’s what to know about them outside…

KATHY CRAIN

MY ROLE: School Counselor
MY HIGH SCHOOL: Randolph High School (MA)
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… get to know each and every one of my students!
MY FAVORITE BOOK: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
MY FUN FACT: I have three sons who attend Bishop Hendricken, one junior and two freshmen!
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… an elephant

GABRIELLE DACUNHA

MY SUBJECT: English
MY HIGH SCHOOL: St. Raphael Academy
I’M MOST EXCITED FOR… the classes I’m teaching (British & World Lit)!
MY FAVORITE BOOK: The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern
MY FUN FACT: I played rugby in college!
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a raccoon

RYAN DURKAY '01

MY ROLE: Support Specialist
MY HIGH SCHOOL: Bishop Hendricken High School
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… be back on the campus that helped me become the person I am today.
MY FAVORITE BOOK: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
MY FUN FACT: I’m a singer and an actor!
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a cheetah

LEERA KPEA

MY SUBJECT: Theology
MY HIGH SCHOOL: La Salle Academy
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… interact and engage with our students and student-athletes. The Hendricken community is something that is difficult to describe in words because it’s more of a feeling. I’m ecstatic and honored to be welcomed back.
MY FAVORITE BOOK: The Art of War by Sun Tzu
MY FUN FACT: I am the first-born son of a Nigerian chieftain (Ogoni Tribe)
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a Kodiak bear

STEVEN MARCKS '15

MY SUBJECT: Mathematics
MY HIGH SCHOOL: Bishop Hendricken High School
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… help shape the next generation of Hendricken men.
MY FAVORITE BOOK: A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
MY FUN FACT: I was an extra in a movie, Moonrise Kingdom, and eagle-eyed viewers can even see my face very clearly in a few shots!
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a hawk, what else?

JESSICA MEDEIROS

MY ROLE: Options Program
MY HIGH SCHOOL: New Bedford High School (MA)
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… watch my students grow into Hendricken men.
MY FAVORITE BOOK: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
MY FUN FACT: I will eat ice cream for any meal of the day!
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a seal

ABIGAIL MELILLO

MY SUBJECT: English
MY HIGH SCHOOL: Cranston High School West
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… meet my freshmen and sophomores and create a family in our classroom!
MY FAVORITE BOOK: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
MY FUN FACT: I know all the best food places in Rhode Island!
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a raccoon 🙂

SERGIO MORALES

MY SUBJECT: Modern Language (Spanish)
MY HIGH SCHOOL: Classical High School
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… get to know my students!
MY FAVORITE BOOK: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
MY FUN FACT: I can Latin dance!
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a hawk

JULIA PAOLINO

MY ROLE: Director of Arts & Drama Program Coordinator
MY HIGH SCHOOL: Toll Gate High School
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… get students involved in the Drama season!
MY FAVORITE BOOK(S): Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
MY FUN FACT: I have two cats – Bagel and Danish!
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a cat

ESTHER (ESSIE) PLOUFFE

MY ROLE: Communications & Marketing Manager
MY HIGH SCHOOL: Mount St. Charles Academy
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… be working in a fast-paced environment that will allow me to be creative and grow. It’s also fun to be working where my older brother, Matthew ’13, graduated!
MY FAVORITE BOOK: I can’t pick one! I’m currently reading This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney.
MY FUN FACT: I played softball at Lasell University and have been assistant coaching there since 2020!
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a bear or an owl!

DEACON JOHN REGAN

MY SUBJECT: Theology
MY HIGH SCHOOL: Xaverian Brothers High School (MA)
I’M MOST EXCITED TO… get to know my students!
MY FAVORITE BOOK: A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean
MY FUN FACT: I really enjoy fishing.
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I’D BE… a lion