Meet the Teachers
Dr. Carlos Verdecchia - Biology and Chemistry
Dr. Verdecchia graduated from Berea College with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Later he obtained his Master’s and PhD degree in Animal Sciences from University of Kentucky. After working for three years in the food industry as a consultant Quality Assurance inspector, Dr. Verdecchia completed his Master’s in Science Education (MIC) from the University of Kentucky. He has been teaching for 23 years at Bryan Station High School. He has served as the Science Department Lead for the past 15 years. He has also served as BSHS high School Academic team coach for the past 14 years. He has served as a SBDM member as a parent at the Elementary school level and as a teacher in BSHS. He has been a SIP Biology and Chemistry teacher for the past 20 years. He is a member of BSHS Medical Academy.
During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, as well as traveling, cooking, gardening and playing tennis.
Sra. Diana Raya - Physics and Chemistry
Ms. Raya graduated with a B.S. degree in Pharmaco-biological Chemistry from the Universidad Michoacana in Morelia, Mexico and also has a Master’s in Organic Chemistry from Eastern Kentucky University. For several years she worked in a governmental pesticide research lab, did Organic Chemistry research at UK and EKU, and has taught Microbiology and AP Environmental Science. This year she is excited to rejoin the SIP program here at BSHS, where she had previously taught SIP Chemistry, Physics, and Biology for 15 years.
Her favorite things to do are cooking (especially Mexican), gardening, traveling and spending time with her 3 grandsons and granddaughter (in SIP 2nd grade). For many years she has been involved in promoting Latino culture such as Día de Muertos at the LASC and parade.
Sra. Courtney Roark - AP Sp. Language, AP Sp. Literature, Sp. Film
Mrs. Roark graduated with a BA in Spanish Literature and Culture form Concord University in southern West Virginia. While at Concord, she spent time studying in Buenos, Aires Argentina at the Universidad de Buenos Aires in La Facultdad de filosofía y letras. She later went on to study and attain her Masters of Arts in Teacher World Languages at the University of Kentucky and an additional Masters of Arts in Spanish Literature with an interest in early Iberian literature from Middlebury College. Mrs. Roark completed her student teaching at Liberty Elementary in the Immersion Program and has taught at various high schools in the area, including Danville, Tates Creek and, most recently, Lafayette.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, baking, photography, and crafts.