Faculty Information
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PRINCIPAL |
303-477-8035 |
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303-477-8035 stcatinfo@comcast.net |
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Kindergarten |
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First Grade |
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Second Grade |
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Third Grade |
Mrs. Patty Jo Ryan-Johnson |
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Fourth Grade |
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Fifth Grade |
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Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade |
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Sixth, Seventh |
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Sixth, Seventh |
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Chaplain |
303-455-9090 |
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P.E. |
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| 3’s Preschool | Ms. Meghan Tynan | |
| 4’s Preschool | Ms. Anne Gonnella | |
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Music Education |
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Principal – Mrs. Suzanne Scheck
This is my first year as principal of St. Catherine’s School. I was born in Fresno, California and attended Catholic grade school there. I attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Denver and graduated from Loretto Heights Collegein Denver. For the past 40 years I have been a teacher here at St. Catherine’s teaching every grade but preschool and kindergarten. For the pas 10 years I have been working in the middle school with the 8th grade as my homeroom class.
This is a new adventure for me as principal. Every day is a learning experience! I am blessed with the support and prayers of the parish and school communities: faculty, staff, parents, students, alumni, and friends. Together we are all committed to St. Catherine of Siena School, her rich history, and exciting future.
I have been at St. Catherine’s for nine years, the first four as Daycare Director and the past five as Administrative Assistant to the Principal. This has given me the opportunity to know the students and parents which enables both faculty and student body to coexist in a cohesive atmosphere.
Kindergarten – Mrs. Maria Coleman
Kindergarten at Saint Catherine’s is a warm, loving, rich, learning environment. We provide Christ-centered education with opportunities to take part in and lead school liturgies.
We have a strong phonics, reading, writing and math programs. The class enjoy daily journal writing and each child has individualised reading instruction as well as paired and whole class reading.
Science and Social Studies are equally valued and promoted with hands-on experiences provided to enhance the learning of abstract concepts and the scientific method.
Parental involvement is welcomed. Come and visit us anytime! Hope to see you soon.
First Grade – Ms. Sandra Smith
I have been teaching at St. Catherine’s for over thirty years, which has given me the opportunity to teach many students in this community. Like other educators who have taught for many years, I have taught sisters and brothers, as well as some of their parents.
I taught first grade for twenty-three years. I was the first and second grade literacy teacher for eight years.
Currently, I am teaching first grade. The first grade curriculum consists of Religion, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, Physical Education, and Media. Students also receive an introduction to Art History.
The literacy program accommodates students with a wide range of developmental levels. Students are immersed in a learning environment in which comprehension strategies are introduced and developed using quality children’s literature. Students are given the tools to think and write and read, setting the tone for a lifetime journey of reading and writing.
Second Grade – Mrs. Susie Vigil
This is my second year teaching 2nd grade at St. Catherine of Siena School. I am married and have five children, two that have graduated from St. Catherine’s and three that are still attending.I have a BA in accounting from Metropolitan State College. I worked in that field until the birth of my second child. After that I stayed home to take care of my children and help my husband with his business.When my youngest child turned three I started thinking about what I should do once he was in school. I didn’t really want to go back into the high powered and exciting world of accounting, so I started exploring new options. One of these was teaching.I started substitute teaching here in 2006 and in 2007 went back to Metro to take the classes I needed to get into the Alternate Licensure Program. I finished the program and am I licensed teacher in the state of Colorado.
I have really enjoyed my time teaching so far. I love the kids and hope I can give them the tools and knowledge to succeed in life. If you have any questions about the second grade curriculum, please give me a call.
Third Grade – Mrs. Patti Johnson
ReligionAs a class we have and will be following each chapter closely from Chapters 1-28. This includes reading, writing, praying, test taking and other religious activities.
ReadingIn this subject, the students have been and will be reading all information about all of the required subjects consistently. The children read independently and the teacher reads to them periodically also. This enables the students to progress and improve their vocabulary and pronunciation skills.
Grammar and Language ArtsThe third grade students start out learning the basics of the English language through reading, writing and being tested over a variety of information, along with doing many different activities in the process. These areas will include what and how to write a sentence, understanding what nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, capitalization, and punctuation and how pronouns are used properly. Starting from basics to using them in more detail.
In the subject of Language Arts, the kids will be building vocabulary strategies, reading and responding about poems and other different kinds of literature, and learning to appreciate different cultures.
They will take weekly spelling tests, and work on strategies n the way words are pronounced and formed in understanding ways. For instance, vowels, consonants, prefixes/suffixes, etc. The children will even learn to write in cursive too!
MathematicsThe third graders will learn about using basic facts, different types of addition and subtraction, time, money, measurement, basic geometry and all multiplication concepts and skills.
Not only this, they will learn about all kinds of division, basic fractions and decimals. Toward the end of the year, these students will also learn about basic statistics, graphing and even probability!
Social StudiesIn the subject of social studies, they will learn about understanding geography, history, learning to read charts, maps, diagrams and time lines about the United States and different cultures and countries throughout the world. We not only read and experience through books, but plan to take field trips to enhance these worldly cultures throughout Denver!
Starting off, they will learn about communities here in America and throughout the world. Then the students will learn about European and Native American ancestry. They will learn about the United States Government, and how our country has changed through history with immigrants from Europe and building a more modern society to changing the way people live through transportation then, now and in the future!
ScienceScience is the subject where the students have already learned about plants and animals. How they grow and what they need to survive. They will learn about different types of animals and their classifications. Not only that, but how they are created and learn to grow. ( For instance the life of a frog.) The kids will learn how they interact with each other. They will learn through reading, writing about not only the subjects themselves, but certain people in these different scientific segments too.
The kids will learn about the Earth’s land, cycles here on Earth and in Space, and investigating matter through exploring energy and it’s forces. The third graders will be working on worksheets, doing come experimentation work, experiencing some scientific backgrounds, taking tests and even going on field trips!
Fourth Grade – Mrs. Mary Hill
I am a Colorado native. I grew up in Wheat Ridge. I attended Sts. Peter and Paul grade school and Marycrest High School, which was located in North Denver. I have a B.A. in Elementary Education from Metro State College in Denver.
I am married and I have one grown son.
I have been a teacher since 1979. I taught first and second grade for 28 years at Colorado Catholic Academy in Wheat Ridge. In addition to teaching I was the Headmistress there from 1986 to 2003. The Academy closed it’s doors for good in July of 2007. I was very fortunate to have been hired as the fourth grade teacher at St. Catherine’s.
I love teaching and it was especially important to me that I continue my career in a Catholic school. I begin every school day with the story of the saint for that day. The students love learning about their faith. We are blessed at St. Catherine’s to have a priest from the Community of the Beatitudes come once a week to the classroom and teach religion. Students visit the Adoration Chapel at least once a month. Students also attend mass two times a week.
In addition to learning about their faith the fourth grade curriculum consists of Phonics, English Language, Reading and Reading Comprehension, Spelling, Math, Social Studies and Science.
Fifth Grade – Mrs. Mary Anne Blanchette
My name is Mary Anne Blanchette and I am the fifth grade teacher at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School. I am a graduate of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Since graduation I have taught in the Leon County Public Schoos located in Tallahassee, Florida, Jefferson County Public Schools located in Golden, Colorado, and a small private school that provided education for talented gymnasts. Also, in between teaching positions, I was a regular substitute teacher for grades K-12 for Jefferson County Public Schools.
In addition to teaching, I was lucky to gain experience in the areas of lobbying for teacher and student needs while acting as the elected President of Teachers Organization in Florida. This lead to several years of experience with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) located in Dallas, Texas in capacity a customer Engineer (liaison between the system engineer and the Federal government for Medicaid). My varied background has been beneficial to what I can offer in the classroom.
EDS transferred me to Denver and this is where I decided to make my home. I live in Golden, Colorado with my son and daughter. Both my children atttend the University of Colorado in Boulder.
I love teaching fifth grade and I love watching the students grow and become ready to embrace middle school. The curriculum is challenging but fun! The fifth grade curriculum consists of Religion, Spelling, Vocabulary, Penmanship, Language Arts, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies. In addition to the academic subjects the students are offered Physical Education, Media, and Music.
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade – Ms. Meg O’Neill
Language Arts is about learning to communicate. Everyone has a story and walking through life is the continual writing and editing of this story, telling our own while also listening and learning from others.
In class this year, we will be studying literature in many forms – fiction and non-fiction, short stories and novels, poetry, creative writing, and research. And while reading expands our knowledge base, writing allows us to reflect and understand the world around us in our own words. This is where we will be practicing spelling, expanding vocabulary, honing grammar skills, and openning up the mind to effectively communicate the unique way each of us experiences life.
Students in Language Arts will have ample opportunity this year to explore their own experiences through both literature and writing.
I am in my second year as the 6th -8th Language Arts teacher at Saint Catherine’s. After moving from Minnesota to Colorado three years ago, I worked up the street at Mount Saint Vincent Home, while also participating as a Colorado Vincentian Volunteer through the AmeriCorps Volunteer program.
I graduated from the college of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University in Minnesota with a Liberal Arts degree in English/Psychology, and Science (Pre-Physical Therapy).
I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to travel and study around the world, including New Zealand, England, Honduras, as well as all throughout Europe. I am excited to share these experiences in the classroom this year as well as to learn from the experiences of each student.
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade – Miss. Majerus
Hello! I am very happy to be here at St. Catherine’s and to be working with the middle school students on math and science. Over the last few years, I have worked and explored all over the country, and I am really excited to finally call Denver home. Originally, I grew up in Montana. I have an education and psychology degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane WA. I taught middle school communications in Newark, NJ through Jesuit Volunteer Corps. I work in a behavioral counseling program in Hartford, CT. I moved to Denver last October, where I worked at Assumption Catholic School as well as other schools later in the spring. And finally, this summer I worked in Littleton with a middle school leadership program.
In my classroom, expect to see lots of hands on instruction. Every Wednesday, the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students will be conducting experiments to learn more about the scientific method. The sixth grade will be focusing on Earth Science the first quarter, Life Science the second quarter, Physical Science the third quarter and the Scientific Method the fourth quarter. Seventh grade will be learning about Life Science, including classification, cells, and human anatomy. The eighth grade will be focusing in on Earth Science, including chemical and physical changes. For Math, all three classes will be working toward mastering the skills needed for high school and beyond. This will include a lot of repetition to master the processes needed. Overall, it is looking to be a busy and wonderful year!
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade – Mr. Konrade
My name is Jon Konrade and I am the Middle School Social Studies and Spanish teacher. I am excited to be here at St. Catherine of Sian and look forward to teaching, as well as, learning may things this year at St. Catherine’s. THis is my third year living in Denver and the two years prior to coming to St. Catherine’s, I worked at Assumption Catholic School in North Denver.
Before moving to Denver, I worked in Dubuque, Iowa and Bloomington-Normal, Illinois with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). I grew up in Kansas and attended Benedictine College in Atchison, KS where I graduated with a degree in THeology and Youth Ministry, with a minor in philosophy and education.
We will work on learning Spanish throughout this year, working on vocabulary, pronunciation, conversation, as well as, some grammar and historical elements. I look forward to teaching some basic Spanish skills to your children.
The eighth grade this year will be learning all about the great history of this country, the United States of AMerica, from the Reconstruction Era, just after the Civil War up until the present day. This will include westward expansion, the industrial revolution, the development of cities, the World Wars, and the fight for rights for all Americans.
The seventh grade this year will be learning the history of the United States from the earliest Native Americans and European explorers, to the early colonies and the fight of the colonists from British rule. We then will study how the United States established itself with its own government and how the challenges it faced up through the Civil War.
The sixth grade this year will be learning all about Medieval History. The Middle Ages are a time period of about 1000 years from around 500 AD to 1500 AD. THey will travel from the Roman Empire, to Asia, Africa, and Europe. They will learn how life was lived during this time period and how it shaped the world for us today.
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Mrs. Parr – Preschool – 3’s Class
I am delighted to be teaching the tiniest students here at St. Catherine’s! My degree is from Cal. State Univ. L.A. I majored in Social Work and minored in Early Childhood Ed. I taught as a Headstart Teacher for several years in Calif. In 2000 I opened my own licensed preschool “Lisa’s Play & Learn” I worked as a “parent educator” for Headstart in Adams City, finally finding the best environment to work in, here in our wonderfully inspiring parish, it truly is a little bit of Heaven!!
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Karen Pouliot – Music
Mrs. Karen Pouliot grew up in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. She has lived in Minnesota, Iowa and now Colorado. Much of her experience is in Music Ministry including, choirs, cantoring and instrumental accompaniments at Mass. She is the Seraphim Bell Choir director at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Aurora. Mrs. Pouliot is happy to be teaching here at St. Catherine of Siena for the first time this year.
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Sr. Nikki Borchardt: P.E., Media, and Middle School Electives
This is my third year teaching P.E. & Media at St. Catherine of Siena School. I love teaching since the students bring so much joy to life! Originally from Minneapolis, I graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in German Studies and Architecture. I entered the Community of the Beatitudes in 2002, and have since lived all over the world. In 2007-8 I went through the Alternative Licensure program to obtain my Colorado Teacher’s License.
As a lifelong sports lover, I love to be in the gym or outside with the students. In our P.E. classes, we cover a variety of sports, health, and fitness units throughout the year. We promote Catholic values of teamwork, respect, discipline, and giving glory to God with our bodies!
In library and media classes, students have the chance to explore books and resource materials. Computers literacy, which is necessary for success in high school and college, is built up through weekly classes. Students learn typing skills, how to use a variety of software and programs, Internet research, and also extend other class activities using the computer.
I have taught several electives: Study skills, French, Team sports, and Outdoor sports; perhaps other great classes are to come!
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Father Nathanael Pujos
I am 39 years old and have been a priest for almost six years. I am French, from Paris, and was born in a practicing Catholic family. I always had the desire to consecrate myself to the Lord and serve him. During the time I was 20-24, I seriously considered marriage, but the Lord is faithful when he calls, and he truly showed me where the happiness was that he wanted for me. After having finished my studies in Paris (Masters in Philosophy), I left my friends, my girlfriend and my family, and I left for Africa – the Ivory Coast and Rwanda – with a Catholic mission. It was there that I met and entered the Community of the Beatitudes. I then began my formation as a seminarian, first in Israel, then in Toulouse, France. I then returned to Gabon, Africa, a continent I love very much, for two years. I was ordained a priest in 2004, and went to Rome to take charge of the formation of seminarians in the Community of the Beatitudes there and to finish a Masters in Theology at the Jesuit Faculty of Rome.
I came to Denver at the end of August 2007, and am now very proud and blessed to be the Chaplain of St. Catherine’s School.
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Nancy Werner - D.P.S. Title I Teacher
I graduated from St. Mary’s University of Winona, Minnesota with degrees in elementary education and special education. I have taught for over eighteen years in a variety of grades and educational settings.
I am an employee of Denver Public Schools working at St. Catherine of Siena School as a Title I teacher, tutoring children in kindergarten through sixth grade who need additional instruction, primarily in reading, writing and spelling. With multisensory teaching techniques, my instruction is very interactive. The main curriculums I use are Wilson Fundations, Wilson Reading System, and Voyager Passport. They are all research-based programs in which skills are taught explicitly, sequentially and systematically.
More information about these curriculums can be found at:
http://www.fundations.com/overview.asp ,
http://www.wilsonlanguage.com/w_wrs.htm , and
http://www.voyagerlearning.com/passport/index.jsp .
