Meet the Mother Teresa Academy Teachers and Staff
The heart of Mother Teresa Academy has always been its people. Our Mother Teresa Academy teachers and staff are career educators who have chosen MTA not as a stepping stone, but as a professional home. Serving families across Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, and the greater Capital Region, our team brings deep experience, genuine warmth, and a shared commitment to the "Play, Pray, Learn" philosophy that has defined this academy for over 20 years.
Meet the MTA Team
Experienced Educators Rooted in Community
What sets our school faculty and staff apart is consistency. At many early childhood programs, families face a new set of faces every year. At MTA, our qualified teachers and staff have built careers here, forming lasting bonds with students and families that span multiple years and sometimes multiple siblings. That kind of continuity is rare in private school education, and it is one of the most meaningful advantages we offer. Our low student-to-faculty ratio means every child receives individualized attention from educators who truly know them. Whether your family is joining us from down the street in Clifton Park or relocating from across the country or internationally, you will find a team that is ready to welcome your child by name and meet them exactly where they are.
In Loving MemorY
Founders of Mother Teresa Academy
Hank & Joyce Maddalone
Mrs. Maddalone followed her vision and listened to God’s voice when He told her to go and open a school where children would learn to apply Catholic Christian values to their everyday lives. It was then that Mother Teresa Academy was founded in 2006 with she as its’ Director.
Joyce was the matriarch of the Maddalone family, sadly she lost her eight-year long fight with cancer in June of 2020. She has joined her husband, Hank of fifty-six years who passed away in April of 2019 after a brief battle with cancer. They left behind eight sons, six daughters, forty-three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
For over 40 years Joyce had an active role in the community, for 50 years, she had been a registered nurse with a Bachelor’s in Human Services. Joyce was the Nursing Director and Founder of Action Nursing Service and Maddalone Medical Supplies. Joyce previously combined her love of children and nursing as the nurse at St. Paul the Apostle and St. John the Evangelist Schools in Schenectady, N.Y. where she donated her time for many years. Even though her children were grown; Joyce was a Girl Scout leader for 20 years as well as having been a Boy Scout Leader for 10 years. Joyce was a member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Glenville, N.Y., where she was one of the Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters and Lectors. Joyce was a member of the weekly Prison Ministry at Mount McGregor Prison, a Rite of Christian Initiation team member, a member of the Parish Nurses, member of the Elizabeth Mother Ministry, a member of the Welcoming Committee and had participated in four medical missions to Peru and the Dominican Republic. Joyce had been a member of the Glenville Rotary for more than twenty years and was a past President. Joyce was also a member of the Southern Saratoga Chamber of Commerce.
Have you taken a breath yet? It is hard to believe how much living Joyce gets out of her life. One of her favorite expressions is, “when you need something done, ask a busy person.” Joyce was recently featured in Success Magazine, was awarded the Girl Scouts “Women of Distinction Award” and was recognized by the Times Union as one of the twenty-five people who make a difference in the Capital District.
When we look for role models for our children, Joyce’s name can easily be at the top of the list. Joyce was a leading example of when we put our faith in God and follow the path that He has set before us; blessings happen. Joyce always found a way to be a central part of the community. Her entire life was devoted to her children and the children of others. She was a believer in the dreams of children, a motivator to encourage them, and she had chosen to dedicate her life to the children.
Our Lead Educators
MTA's classroom teachers bring hands-on, experiential learning to life every day. From Preschool through First Grade, our lead educators design lessons that engage auditory, tactile, and interactive learners, ensuring no child is left behind by a one-size-fits-all approach. Their devotion to each student's growth is what families across Clifton Park and Saratoga County have trusted for more than two decades.
Faith and Character Guides
Faith is woven into daily life at MTA, and our staff leads that experience with sincerity. From morning chapel and daily Bible lessons to our Monthly Character Values program, our team nurtures kindness, responsibility, and respect alongside academics. These are not add-ons to the school day; they are central to who we are and how our educators show up for every child.
Extended Care and Support Staff
Our AM and PM Care staff extend the same nurturing environment beyond core school hours. For families who need early morning drop-off or after-school care, including families whose children attend Shenendehowa, our support team provides a safe, encouraging, and faith-centered setting. These team members are an essential part of the MTA community, not an afterthought.
Enrichment Instructors
From Spanish language classes to school performances, concerts, and field trips, our enrichment instructors bring energy and purpose to every special program. They are the faces behind some of MTA's most beloved traditions, including the Butterfly Release and the Teddy Bear Picnic. These experiences are intentional, educator-led moments of discovery that make an MTA education genuinely memorable.
