You can reach any of our faculty and staff listed below by clicking on the Contact Us link at right.
Administration
Fr. Jean Joseph Brice, Pastor and President
Fr. Joseph Brice has served as Pastor and President of St. Patrick Academy since April 8, 2024. Prior to this appointment, he faithfully ministered as Assistant Pastor at St. Augustine Parish from 2017 to 2020, and subsequently at St. Patrick and St. Michael Parishes from 2020 to 2024. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2017 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin.
Fr. Brice holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Providence College, as well as a Master of Divinity and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) from St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts. In addition to his pastoral leadership, he serves as the Religion 12 instructor, forming students not only intellectually but spiritually in the life of faith.
At the heart of Fr. Brice’s ministry is a deep commitment to ensuring that Catholic education remains accessible to all. Central to this mission is his leadership in advancing a transformative fundraising effort to secure over $1 million annually, enabling St. Patrick Academy to remain tuition-free for the vast majority of its student body. This work reflects his conviction that a Christ-centered education should never be out of reach for those who seek it.
Through his pastoral care, academic involvement, and visionary leadership, Fr. Brice is dedicated to forming a community where faith, excellence, and opportunity flourish together.
Mr. Vincent Mancuso, Principal
Mr. Vincent Mancuso is a dedicated Catholic school educator and leader with extensive
experience at both the school and diocesan levels. From 2021 to 2026, he served as Assistant
Superintendent for the Diocese of Fall River, where he collaborated closely with principals and
faculty across multiple schools. In this role, he supported academic programming, special
education services, professional development, and school safety initiatives, gaining a broad
perspective on what enables schools, teachers, and students to thrive.
Prior to his diocesan leadership, Mr. Mancuso served at Bishop Hendricken High School from
1995 to 2021, including time as Principal. During his tenure, he oversaw academic programs,
supervised faculty and staff, led accreditation efforts, enhanced professional development, and
expanded student support services. He is deeply committed to fostering strong partnerships with
parents and empowering teachers to do their best work in service of their students.
Mr. Mancuso holds a Bachelor of Arts from Rhode Island College and a Master of Arts from
Providence College. He is a lifetime certified teacher in the State of Rhode Island and holds
Rhode Island certification as a K–12 building administrator.
Mr. Mancuso and his wife, Jill are parishioners of Saints John and Paul Church in Coventry,
Rhode Island.
Deacon Stephen Raymond, Director of Operations
Deacon Raymond began teaching math at St. Patrick School in 1975 before becoming Principal in 1985, a position he faithfully discharged for 26 years. He earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Providence College and an M.Ed. in Counselor Education from Rhode Island College. In 2011, he became Operations Director at St. Patrick Academy. He was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop Thomas Tobin in January 2013. Mr. Raymond also earned his Master of Theological Studies from Providence College in 2014.
Mrs. Kara Akey, Dean of Student Life & Athletic Director
Mrs. Akey joined the faculty at St. Patrick Academy in 2017. She earned her B.S. in Social Studies & ELA Education from Champlain College and taught for two years as a history teacher in another RI high school. Mrs. Akey is also the Student Council adviser at the Academy.
Mrs. Nancy Rocha, Dean of Academic Affairs
Nancy Rocha joined Saint Patrick Academy in the fall of 2025 as the Dean of Academic Affairs, bringing with her an extensive background in counseling and education. A graduate of Providence College, Mrs. Rocha earned her undergraduate degree in English before returning to Providence College to earn a Master of Education degree in counseling. She began her dedicated career in the Warwick school department, later serving as the director of counseling services for Bishop Hendricken High School. Mrs. Rocha is the proud mother of two daughters with her late husband and enjoys traveling with them whenever possible. In her spare time, she is active in the world of antiques, art, and jewelry design.
Mrs. Cynthia Roche, School Adjustment Counselor
Mrs. Roche joined our school community in April 2026. Prior to joining Saint Patrick's Academy, she spent four years working with the Diocese of Fall River and 25 years at Saint Philomena School as the School Adjustment Counselor. She received a BA in Human Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut and an M.Ed in School Counseling from Providence College.
Development Office
Ms. Robin Tagliaferri, Development Director
Robin is the Director of Development at St. Patrick Academy in Providence; previously she was the Director of Advancement at Bishop McVinney School, Providence; Coordinator of Alumni Relations in the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Providence; and the Community Relations & Admissions Coordinator at St. Joseph of Cluny School in Newport, RI.
Robin is a non-profit administrator, program manager, museum educator and visual artist with 30 years’ experience working in museums, arts organizations and educational institutions. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Robin earned a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) and a Master of Arts (MA) in Museum Studies and Art Education.
Robin worked in the education and development departments of Worcester Art Museum, DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, AS220 (Center for the Arts) and the Mount Washington Observatory. She was the Development Officer at the Remick Museum and Farm in Tamworth, NH, a 400-acre property with two historic houses. From August 2017 to November 2018, Robin was Interim Coordinator of Gallery Night Providence.
For five years, from 2010 to 2015, Robin was the Executive Director of Forbes House Museum in Milton, MA, a historic house museum with a collection of 19th century Chinese export porcelain, furniture and artworks.
Since 2021, Robin has been a member of the steering committee, Partners & Friends, for Progetto Guarcino, an arts, culture and economic development plan in support of the Municipality of Guarcino (FR), Lazio, Italy, located 43 miles southeast of Rome, the birthplace of her paternal grandparents. Her current projects include the research of Italian immigration to the United States, and specifically to Providence, Rhode Island.
Ms. Deisy Estrada, Assistant to the Development Director
Deisy is the Assistant to the Development Director at St. Patrick Academy. Additionally, for the past 2 years, she has served as the Band Director for the Academy, where she leads, instructs and rehearses with the students in preparation for weekly worship at Friday morning Mass and/or Adoration. Deisy also serves as the Youth Ministry Director and Spanish Music Director of St. Patrick Church. She organizes and leads Confirmation retreats, youth group retreats, parish outings, and various events that foster spiritual growth and community among the parish’s young people. As music director, she provides music for weddings, funerals, and other liturgical celebrations throughout the year.
Faculty
Mrs. Robin Bent, World Language Teacher
Mrs. Bent spent 30 years teaching foreign languages at Bishop Keough High School before becoming a faculty member at St. Patrick Academy in 2015. She holds a B.A. in Foreign Languages from Assumption College and has done a graduate-level study at Providence College. She is fluent in Spanish and French and proficient in Italian and German.
Ms. Sydney Davis, History and English Teacher
Ms. Davis joined the St. Patrick community in 2024. She received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John's College (Annapolis) in 2024. There, she spent time studying philosophy, political theory, literature, and the history of math and science. She is currently working towards her M.Ed in Secondary Education for Social Studies as a part of the PACT program at Providence College.
Ms. Kristin Scribner, Math Teacher
Ms. Scribner joined our faculty in 2022 after teaching at the Greene School. Prior to that, she worked in the East Greenwich school system in Special Education before raising and homeschooling her children. She earned her B.A. in Secondary Mathematics and a B.S. in Special Education, both from Rhode Island College.
Ms. Leslie Steeves, Drama, Film, and English Teacher
Ms. Steeves serves as our new Drama and Film teacher, while also teaching English. She attended Leland Powers School of Theater in Boston and the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York before earning her B.A. in Theater and Dramatic Literature from Suffolk University in Boston, MA and an M.A. in Film Studies from National University in San Diego, California. She has taught Acting, Stagecraft, and Film Studies at previous schools and has directed the plays and musicals at other Catholic high schools in Massachusetts.
Mrs. Christine Stimson, Religion Teacher
Mrs. Stimson joined the faculty at St. Patrick Academy in 2021. She earned a BS in Education from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1994. Before taking time to raise her six children, she taught at a few Catholic schools in Rhode Island, including at St. Patrick's Elementary School. In the intervening time, she has been active in religious education spanning the age spectrum from preschoolers to high-schoolers as well as adults preparing for marriage.
Nelson Valdivia, Spanish · World Languages
Nelson Valdivia brings more than 13 years of classroom experience and a rich multicultural background to his role as a World Languages educator. A native of Bolivia, he arrived in the United States 44 years ago and has built a distinguished career spanning law enforcement, judicial and medical interpretation, and teaching.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Humanities from La Universidad Mayor de San Simón in Bolivia and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. In 2023, he graduated from Rhode Island College, completing the Rhode Island State–Approved Program for All Grades World Language Teacher and earning certification from the Rhode Island Department of Education to teach Spanish in Grades PK–12.
Outside the classroom, Nelson is a devoted Catholic and Cursillista with a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He has been a parishioner of Saint Patrick's Church since the early 1980s.
Administrative Staff
Mr. Michael Cote, IVC, Christian Service Program Coordinator
Mr. Cote joins us this year as a member of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps to serve in the role of Student Service Program Coordinator for St. Patrick Academy. In this capacity, he will assist students in identifying meaningful and appropriate service opportunities and placements for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. Mr. Cote holds a B.A. from UMASS Dartmouth and M.A. from Providence College. Prior to joining St. Patrick Academy, he taught and directed Christian/Community Service Programs at both Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton, MA and most recently, Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, MA. In addition to his IVC placement here at St. Patrick Academy, Mr. Cote will be team teaching Essays on Social Justice with service practicum on the sophomore level. He hopes to assist students, families, community partners, and faculty/staff to live the service mission of St. Patrick Academy.
Ms. Deborah Stamatakos, Administrative Assistant
Ms. Stamatakos began working at St. Patrick Academy in 2012. She has worked in data entry and administrative services for many years, most recently at Rhode Island Right to Life.