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Ann Stephanie Stano, SSJ
SisterBiography
Home Parish: St. Stanislaus, Erie, PA
Sister Ann Stephanie Stano, SSJ, has devoted her life to education, serving as a student, teacher, mentor, administrator, and educational consultant. She attended Villa Maria Elementary School, Villa Maria Academy, and Villa Maria College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Sister Ann Stephanie’s call to religious life began during her high school years at Villa Maria Academy. Although she initially planned to pursue a degree in chemistry and biology, she eventually experienced a powerful call that she could no longer ignore. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1957 and professed her final vows in 1965. Reflecting on her decision, she shared, “You can’t put God on hold forever.”
Her years at Villa Maria Academy played an important role in shaping her vocation. She recalled the Sisters as her teachers, friends, and role models, describing them as women who lived their ordinary daily lives in extraordinary ways. Their joy and faithfulness left a lasting impression on her, and she later came to recognize this distinctive spirit as the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Sister Ann Stephanie pursued advanced studies to further her commitment to education, earning a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. in Social Science from the University of Chicago. Throughout her career, she served in elementary education at Saint Andrew, Blessed Sacrament, and Our Lady’s Christian schools in Erie, as well as in secondary education at St. Agatha High School in Meadville and Villa Maria Academy in Erie. She also taught at Villa Maria College and Gannon University, sharing her knowledge with undergraduate students and future educators.
Her leadership extended beyond the classroom. Sister Ann Stephanie served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Catholic Diocese of Erie and as Dean of the School of Education at Gannon University. She later continued her work in education as an administrator and medical educator at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). She also served on the graduate medical education faculty of the Saint Vincent Family Medicine Residency Program until 2016. Her experience across these diverse educational settings reflects her lifelong dedication to learning, teaching, and mentoring others.
Throughout her ministry, Sister Ann Stephanie has remained grounded in the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph: working toward unity among neighbors and between neighbors and God. She recognizes that while ministries evolve to meet changing needs, the congregation’s fundamental mission remains the same. Her own spiritual life is sustained through prayer, particularly meditation and the reception of the Eucharist. She also draws daily inspiration from the congregation’s Consensus Statement, which calls Sisters to move toward a profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction.
Sister Ann Stephanie’s life and ministry reflect the enduring influence of the educators who first inspired her vocation. From the classrooms of Erie to leadership in higher education and medical education, she has continued to share her gifts in service of others. Through her commitment to education, faith, and the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph, she exemplifies the extraordinary impact of a life devoted to learning and helping others grow.
