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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

We have conducted over 500 faith formation Workshops for teachers and catechists in more than 70 dioceses. At each program, teachers explore the Catholic Faith with a catechetical scholar, and our master teachers will offer strategies for applying this new knowledge in the classroom.  

Religion Textbooks

Our textbooks offer a new model of education materials — one which provides teacher-friendly, ready-to-use lesson plans to lighten teachers’ loads. From homework the night before to enrichment options once you’re done, teachers are given everything they need to teach the topic at hand with minimal prep and planning.

World-Class Classroom Support

Our Online Resource Library offers a wealth of videos, PowerPoints, printables, and other planning items for each lesson, and access to support specialists. Our Master Teacher Council, made up of experienced teachers and catechists around the country, offer ongoing, personalized support.

Additional Classroom Aids

We continuously strive to support Catholic classrooms and teachers, releasing new and innovative ways to reach students with the truth of the Faith. Some of these classroom tools include our monthly eLessons on Teaching the Liturgical YearThe Gift of our Identity, and The Call of Beauty.

Our Staff

Email Us at [email protected]
Want to join us? See our Employment Opportunities

Charlie McKinney

President

As President, Charlie defines, communicates, and implements the vision of Sophia Institute for Teachers.





Veronica Cruz Burchard

Chief Operating Officer

Veronica helped found Sophia Institute for Teachers in 2014. For the last decade, she has played a key role in the shaping of all our programs and publications.

Jose Gonzalez

Senior Director of Professional Development

Jose oversees, develops and leads our day-long and multi-day professional development programs for Catholic educators across the U.S.

Ingrid Waldstein

Vice President of Education Programs

Ingrid oversees curriculum development and outreach to support teachers and catechists in more effectively leading their students to Christ.

Alysha Daley

Manager of Marketing and Sales

Alysha serves schools interested in implementing our religion textbooks.

Mark Kaschak

Manager of Marketing and Sales

Mark serves parishes interested in implementing one of our faith formation textbooks in parishes.

Lily Scheetz

Sales Support Specialist & Account Manager

Lily serves accounts for existing customers of our religion textbooks.

Norma Molina

Sales Support Specialist & Account Manager

Norma serves accounts for A Family of Faith and Una Familia De Fe.

Dave Burglund

Senior Director of Operations

Dave ensures the smooth operation of all Sophia’s business processes.



Dave Michaud

Senior Inventory Control Specialist

Dave works with the warehouse team to ensure the timely shipment of Sophia’s classroom materials and other products.

Ethan O’Connor

Production Manager and Associate Editor

Ethan oversees the production of high-quality print and digital classroom materials. He also contributes to the drafting and editing of products in development.

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.

Stephen Lajoie

Educator Support Specialist

Stephen provides personalized support for Catholic educators using Sophia classroom materials across the U.S.

Heidi Bald

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.

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

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