Meet Our Team

Mr. James Bendele | Science Educator

James Bendele is a passionate and accomplished science educator with 29 years of teaching experience and a genuine love for helping students discover the excitement of science. He believes that one of the greatest rewards of teaching is seeing a student experience success, develop confidence, and discover a passion for learning.

James earned his undergraduate degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology. He later earned a Master of Science in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), with concentrations in Ecology and Neuroscience.

For the past 26 years, James has taught at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, where he has served students in a wide range of courses, including General Biology, Honors Biology, Dual Credit Biology, General Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Health, Summer Ecology, AP Environmental Science, General Psychology, and AP Psychology. He has also served as Science Department Chair and has led and moderated numerous summer camps. James meets the educational requirements established by the Archdiocese of San Antonio for teaching at Central Catholic and the qualifications established by St. Mary's University for teaching dual-credit courses.

Beyond the classroom, James has been deeply involved in campus ministry and service. He has coordinated hundreds of community service projects, served as a faculty moderator for retreats, and played percussion in the liturgical choir at school Masses. His higher-education experience includes serving as an adjunct professor at Our Lady of the Lake University and as a teaching assistant at UTSA.

James's dedication to education and service has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Marianist Heritage Award, Most Influential Faculty Member Award, Humanitarian Award, Central Catholic Teacher of the Year, Archdiocesan Teacher of the Year, Texas Wildlife Association Teacher of the Year, VFW Teacher of the Year, and Project MEND Partnership Award. He has also been recognized as a Nobel Educator of Distinction.

At Ave Maria Arts & Innovation Circle, James brings not only decades of scientific knowledge and classroom experience, but also an infectious enthusiasm for learning. He is especially passionate about helping young people experience science through exploration, discovery, and meaningful hands-on learning. For James, there are few things more rewarding than watching a child find success—and perhaps discover a lifelong passion for science.
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Ms. Michelle Alonzo, Theater and Dance Educator

EDUCATION

Michelle Alonzo has worked as a Performing Arts educator for the past 20 years, working with children from pre-k to high school in dance, art and theater education. Michelle received a license in K-12 theater education in Vermont in 2014 and later achieved a Master's Degree in Arts education from Saint Micheal's College. She has a BA from Franciscan University of Steubenville in English/Theater, and AS in philosophy. She is very excited to be working with Ave Maria Arts and Innovation Circle as a Theater and Dance educator. 

PHILOSOPHY

Michelle's philosophy of education is one of hope and strength building in a positive peer environment, where the teacher is a mentor and guide who offers both discipline and flexibility. She holds that parent/ teacher communication is essential to serve the student best. She is sensitive to the needs of students and is eager to support them to meet their potential. She believes in the God given talents of each of her students and tries to help them see their own abilities. Michelle wants her students to learn to express themselves through the arts and to enjoy their journey of artistic growth and skill building. She wants the classroom to be a place for social and personal development. 

STUDENTS WITH DIVERSE NEEDS

Michelle has been blessed to journey with neurodivergent and special needs students in her time as an educator. She worked for 2 years as a special education assistant and works hard to support her own children in their journey with ADHD, Dyslexia and Chronic illness. She views Performing Arts education as an effective medium for increasing student wellness, self-worth, and joy of life. She works to inform her curriculum with current research and best practices for strengthening brains, bodies and mental health of all her students.

FIELD EXPERIENCE

Michelle has great versatility in her field thanks to the breadth of her experience. Some of her highlights were spending a few years in New York City. She was blessed to be on two series on "EWTN" in her 20's called "The Parables" and "The Eucharist."  While in N.Y.C., she danced with St. Michael's Warriors Dance Company who performed at Papal events. She also travelled abroad with her own dance team in a program she directed that reflected on the encyclical "Deus Caritas Est." She has worked in both private and public institutions. She worked as a director and producer  "Very Merry Children's Theater" in Vermont where they still produce her first short musical "Peter Rabbit." Locally, she was the musical theater director at Mount Sacred Heart, Theater teacher at Great Hearts Northern Oaks and dance enrichment teacher at Ave Maria Homeschool. She frequently gets called to assist as Choreographer for theater and private events. She gets to perform locally with her whole family at St. Brigid's Performing Arts Ministry. She also was recently cast in a production for The Great Commission Theater in town. She is the co-director of www.craftycatholicmoms.com, whose mission is to support and encourage Catholic motherhood. 

Ms. Kelly Leary, Voice Educator

Kelly Leary is a choral educator, musical theatre director, and church organist enthusiastic about Catholic education. She studied voice at St. Mary's University and spent the next five years as a music teacher at The Atonement Catholic Academy. There she taught elementary music, directed elementary, middle, and high school choirs, played organ at school liturgies, and directed musical theatre productions.

She sings lead for the internationally-competitive barbershop quartet, Saving Grace Quartet, Alamo Metro Chorus, and professionally with the San Antonio Chamber Choir. Kelly music directs theatre productions for the Children's Ballet of San Antonio, St. Mary's University, and is the proud co-founder of the St. Mary's University Musical Theatre Camp, running 8 summers strong! Kelly is also a huge advocate for sacred music found in the Catholic tradition, such as chant, hymnody, and choral/organ music.

Teaching music literacy, good vocal technique, and an authentic love of music is her goal and joy in every music lesson.

Carmen & Juliana Kubebatu

Founders, Ave Maria Arts & Innovation Circle

Sisters Carmen and Juliana Kubebatu are the young founders of Ave Maria Arts & Innovation Circle (AIC). Their vision for AIC grew from four years of volunteer service with a nonprofit homeschool organization founded by their mother, Alexandra Kubebatu. During that time, they helped serve nearly 400 typical, neurodiverse, and special-needs students throughout the San Antonio area through educational classes, dances, retreats, field trips, volunteering opportunities, and other community activities. Carmen and Juliana participated in the planning and organization of nearly every gathering, giving them firsthand experience with the diverse interests and learning needs of homeschool families.

Carmen, age 16, was inspired to help create AIC because of her love for her community and her own experience as a neurodivergent student. She believes children's programs should provide opportunities for different types of learners rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. An artist at heart, Carmen especially enjoys drawing, reading, writing, singing, and astronomy. Her interests in art, music, theater, STEAM, and academics have helped influence AIC's broad range of programs. She hopes AIC will continue to grow and reach as many families as possible while giving students opportunities to learn, grow, and genuinely enjoy themselves.

Juliana, age 11, was especially inspired to create AIC to help children with special needs and to encourage sensory-friendly learning experiences. Her interests include theater, art, science, piano, cupcake decorating, knitting, sewing, crafts, slime-making, and soccer. Juliana also created the AIC Store, an in-person shop where students can earn "Ave Maria Bucks" through participation and accomplishments at AIC and use them to purchase small toys, sensory fidgets, and school supplies.

As AIC continues to grow, Carmen and Juliana are also developing a line of sensory, educational, and fun products designed to complement AIC's mission and provide children with engaging opportunities to learn, create, explore, and play beyond the classroom.

Together, the sisters envision AIC as a welcoming community where children of different abilities and interests can learn, create, belong, and have fun.

Peter and Alexandra Kubebatu

Assistants to the AIC Founders

Peter and Alexandra Kubebatu serve as Assistants and Mentors to the Founders of Ave Maria Arts & Innovation Circle (AIC), supporting the development of educational programs, community partnerships, and learning opportunities designed to serve both typical and neurodiverse children throughout the San Antonio area.

Alexandra brings a professional background in instructional design, educational technology, training management, and program development. While Peter holds a Master's in Engineering and supports the AIC STEAM and Robotics program, Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, and is a Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM). Her professional experience includes leading instructional design and training initiatives, conducting learning needs assessments, developing training strategies, and incorporating accessibility and inclusive design principles into educational programs.

Together with her husband, Peter, the faith leader of the family and "project sponsor" of their small business, they have homeschooled their children and experienced firsthand the importance of flexible, meaningful educational opportunities that recognize each child's individual strengths and learning needs. Alexandra is also a professed member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS). Peter and Alexandra's Catholic faith helps shape their commitment to service, family, and the dignity of every child.

Through AIC, Alexandra and Peter support their daughters—the founders of AIC—in building an organization rooted in faith, creativity, service, and educational excellence, where children of diverse abilities are encouraged to learn, create, develop confidence, and thrive.