Celebrating Achievement
We’re pleased to share these stories, which represent the passion and hard work of STA’s faculty and staff. These awards and accomplishments are what makes a difference on campus and beyond.
St. Teresa’s Achievements & Accolades
Dr. Siabhan May-Washington, STA president, was named a 2025 Women of Influence honoree 
by the Kansas City Business Journal for her exceptional leadership and fostering an innovative learning environment.
Additionally, Dr. May-Washington was honored in the 2025 Women We Admire class, recognizing the top 50 women leaders in Kansas City.
July 2024
Steve Perry, STA’s director of choirs, received the Missouri Choral Directors Association’s Luther T. Spayde Award of Excellence.
August 2024
STA proudly marks 101 consecutive years of institutional accreditation. First accredited in 1923, the Academy continues its tradition of excellence with yet another year of full accreditation. STA has also earned esteemed STEM certification for a second consecutive cycle, honoring the school’s exceptional STEM programming.
STA earned School of Distinction status as part of the rigorous Cognia Accreditation process. Out of more than 1,950 completed accreditation reviews in the 2023-2024 academic year, only 60 schools (top 3%) worldwide earned this select honor. STA was the only school in Kansas/Missouri to receive this.
Dr. Mandi Sonnenberg, director of STEAM Projects and Education, was elected to serve a three-year term on the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS) board of directors.
September 2024
Dr. Siabhan May-Washington and Dr. Mandi Sonnenberg accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of St. Teresa’s Academy from KC Steam Studio recognizing the Academy’s contributions to STEM/STEAM education.
STA Athletics was named a recipient of the NIAAA Quality Program Recognition at the Exemplary Level. This prestigious award honors our program for meeting rigorous standards across 10 key categories that define excellence in athletic administration.
Barb McCormick, Ed.S., STA’s principal for Academic Affairs, earned the Excellence in Education award for promoting and advancing excellence and equity in education in Missouri.
October 2024
For the second consecutive year, STA has earned Gold status for AP Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in promoting high standards for college culture.
January 2025
STA was one of 847 schools across the globe to receive the College Board’s Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles.
April 2025
Lori Flaherty, assistant athletic director at STA earned the designation of Certified Athletic Administrator from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.
June 2025
The Kansas City Star named St. Teresa’s Academy “Kansas City’s Favorite High School” for the third consecutive year based on a community-wide vote, recognizing the Academy’s tradition of excellence in education and empowering young women.
September 2025
Mary Montag, STA science faculty, was accepted as a Global Schools Advocate for the Global Schools Program, the flagship primary and secondary education program of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.