Faculty and Staff

Mrs. Lockerman, the Head of School, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. She earned her Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching from Chatham University and is certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Secondary Language Arts. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature, specializing in Creative and Professional Writing, from Mercyhurst University.

With 23 years of experience working with adolescents and young adults in secondary education, Mrs. Lockerman has made significant contributions to the field of education and support for neurodiverse students. She previously served as the Director of AHEADD (Achieving in Higher Education) and the Director of Transition and Higher Education Services for AERI Behavioral Health in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Notably, she co-developed one of the pioneering college acclimation programs in both the United States and London, England. She is also the co-founder of the ed-tech company SocialWise VR. Mrs. Lockerman resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her family and their dog!

Contact Mrs. Lockerman at nlockerman@universityschoolpgh.org.

Ms. Francine Liscotti is the Director of Administration and Admissions for The University School. Ms. Liscotti has worked at The University School for 28 years. She holds an Associate degree in Administration from The University of Pittsburgh. She has one son, two granddaughters, and two dogs. She enjoys gardening, shopping, and enjoying life with her husband. Contact Mrs. Liscotti at fliscotti@universityschoolpgh.org

Before joining The University School, Mr. Mencini taught middle school Social Studies in the North Allegheny School District and at Providence Heights Alpha School. He has also coached middle school boys’ basketball in the North Allegheny School District for six years.

Mr. Mencini is excited to be part of The University School community and is looking forward to a great year ahead!

Mr. Ian Daugherty joins the University School as a science teacher with a B.S. in Physics and Chinese from Carnegie Mellon University (2023) and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Teaching and Leadership at Point Park University. His teaching experience includes classrooms in Pittsburgh and a year spent in Taiwan as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. He enjoys bringing his research background, woodworking and electronics skills, and philosophical interests into his teaching. He also serves as a college minister at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. You can reach Mr. Daugherty at idaugherty@universityschoolpgh.org.  

Ray Roberts is very pleased to join the University School as mathematics instructor with over twenty years teaching experience in all secondary math subjects in a variety of school settings. In only his third year of teaching he was honored to be nominated as the best new teacher at Tucson High Magnet School and to be selected as the instructional team leader. During his years teaching in Pittsburgh Public Schools, he was recognized for his initiative and asked to become an instructional Mathematics Coach. He served as Math Instructional Coach for six years developing curriculum and providing professional development. He concurrently received his Masters of Education from University of Pittsburgh in Secondary Mathematics Instruction researching, using teaching techniques to improve instruction. His teaching philosophy centers around students’ learning through actually doing mathematics. Additionally, he serves his community, volunteering in roles including eight years as statewide coordinator for a non-partisan non-profit civic organization. His free time is also spent reading, running, cycling, hiking and traveling with his wife and two college-attending children.  You can reach Ray Roberts at RRoberts@UniversitySchoolPgh.org

Mr. Heilman graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2015 with a Masters in Social Studies Education and Bachelors in History. He decided to start his teaching career in Virginia, teaching at AG Wright Middle School, Alexandria City Public Schools, and for four years in Essex County Public Schools. During his time at Essex, Mr. Heilman learned and coached soccer (he wasn’t good, but he gave his best effort). Mr. Heilman has taught almost all of the content in Social Studies at one point or another in his career. Outside of school, Mr. Heilman enjoys reading, podcasts, watching good movies, and spending time with his wife and cat. He hopes that soon he will be able to get back into a workout routine and/or a martial arts school. You can reach Mr. Heilman at iheilman@universityschoolpgh.org.

Mr. Nicholas Sardo teaches art at the University School. He received his BFA from Carnegie Mellon University in 2016, and the vast majority of his free time is spent as a professional working artist. His art practice centers around painting abstracted figures, often substituting objects for the body, in an effort to create surreal, fictional narratives within his work. Mr. Sardo particularly enjoys fostering the individual creative talents of students, while introducing them to new mediums that broaden the scope of their work. He is also often found fixing and riding motorcycles, building furniture, and reading. He can be reached at nsardo@universityschoolpgh.org.

Amber Smalley joined the University School in the 2017/2018 school year. She earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2005 and a Masters degree in Special Education in 2006, both from the University of Pittsburgh. Amber has taught students with disabilities in various educational settings over the past 12 years. Amber enjoys spending time with her 3 children, exercising, and cooking. She is looking forward to another great year at The University School. Amber can be reached at asmalley@universityschoolpgh.org.