Staff

Principal

My name is Bill Van Loh, and I am the principal of St. James Catholic E-8 School, in Duluth, Minnesota. I received my bachelor's degree in Music Education and German, as well as a master's degree in Music from Mankato State University. I also earned my post-graduate degree in Educational Administration and my K-12 administrative licensure from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

I have 34 years of experience in education, teaching at a range of levels from early childhood and kindergarten through high school and college. I have been a school principal since 1993. I joined the staff and community at St. James School in August 2009.

St. James is a great school because, we have :

- Wonderful students

- Excellent and dedicated staff      
- Involved parents

- Engaging and challenging educational programs

- Small class sizes

- Safe, nurturing, and caring spiritual environment 

Preschool

My name is Becky VanRiper and I teach Preschool at St. James Monday through Friday. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Superior with a BS degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood. I have been teaching since 2004.

I have a wonderful husband and a beautiful baby girl. After living in the Twin Cities area for three years, we moved back home in the summer of 2010, and we are enjoying every minute of it! With a large family near by, we are able to be part of every event.

 

In Preschool, I plan on implementing a curriculum full of child directed and teacher directed activities, including language arts, math, science, music, socialization, and more. The children will create, explore, listen, tell, and show all throughout the year. One of our main goals as well as these academic areas includes spiritual development and showing respect for others.

Kindergarten 

My name is LeeAnne Schiltz. I teach kindergarten here at St. James. After receiving my bachelor's degree in elementary education from the College of St. Scholastica, I was hired at St. James for a 2nd grade teaching position. I taught 2nd grade for 13 wonderful years and then I received the opportunity to teach kindergarten. I am now beginning my ninth year as the kindergarten teacher and I am enjoying every minute of it!

Units that are studied in kindergarten include:

- Colors and Shapes
- Families
- Transportation
- Five senses
- Farms
- Eggs and chicks (we even hatch them!)

1st Grade

My name is Barbara Mollison, and I earned my B.S. degree at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. I have spent my entire teaching career in Catholic Education. I first taught at St. James prior to my vocation as a stay at home mom. When my youngest entered middle school I returned to teaching. I have taught at St. James for eleven years. I chose teaching as my career because I enjoy teaching new things to children.

Highlights of First Grade:

- Learn about what it means to be a Christian.
- Learn to read!
- Learn to write!
- Learn addition and subtraction facts and strategies.
- Flat Stanley project!
- Dinosaurs

- Space, planets, and stars

2nd Grade

My name is Stephanie Meyer. I attended St. James School as a child and continued my education at the University of Wisconsin Superior. I graduated in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Social Studies

Highlights of second grade include: 

- First Reconciliation
- First Communion
- Addition with renaming
- Subtraction with borrowing
- Cursive handwriting
- World geography skills

3rd Grade

My name is Jean Charbonneau. I am the third grade teacher. I received a B.A. degree in Elementary Education from the College of St. Scholastica. This is my 32nd year at St. James.

Highlights of third grade include:

- Learning about what it means to be members of the Catholic Church community
- Learning multiplication facts
- Learning about animals, weather, the moon, plants, and matter
- Learning skills to be able to read, write, and understand stories
- Learning keyboarding skills
- Winter ecology at Hartley Nature Center

4th Grade

My name is Jodi Paulson. I am the 4th grade teacher at St. James Catholic School. I received a B.A.S. degree in Elementary Education and minors in Psychology and Coaching all from the University of Minnesota Duluth. I have been a teacher at St. James since 1997.

Highlights of the 4th Grade:

- Ten Commandments

- Beatitudes
- Multiplication with larger numbers and long division
- Regions of the United States.
- Sciences include - sound & light, human body, simple machines, rocks & minerals, and magnets

5th Grade

My name is Teresa Ierino. I am the 5th grade teacher at St. James Catholic School. I received a B.A.S. degree in Elementary Education and minors in Art and Coaching at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I have taught at St. James for 13 years.

Highlights of the 5th Grade:

- Taking a trip to ELC (Environmental Learning Center)
- Choosing and writing about a Saint
- Studying American history
- Science topics include land biomes, oceans, space, and earth movements

Middle School

 

My name is Amanda Lindquist. I am a middle school teacher at St. James Catholic School. I received my B.A.S. degree in Elementary Education with minors in Spanish and English from the University of Minnesota Duluth. I currently teach English, Literature, Spanish, and Art classes. I have been teaching at St. James since 2009.

 

My name is Phebe Schnabel. I am a middle school teacher at St. James Catholic School. I received my B.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in Science from the University of Wisconsin – Superior.  I teach Science, Literature, Religion, and Technology. I joined the staff at St. James in August of 2011.

 

My name is Sean Weiland. I am a middle school teacher at St. James Catholic School. I received my B.S.S. degree in Social Studies Teaching with minors in Psychology, Geography, and Coaching from the University of Minnesota Duluth. I currently teach Social Studies, Math, and Algebra. I have been teaching at St. James since 2008.

Physical Education

My name is Timothy Rand and I am the new physical education teacher at St. James Catholic School. I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2001. I am in my eleventh year of teaching. I joined the staff at St. James in the Fall of 2011. I am looking forward to working with our students, school, and community.
In physical education, the students are working on motor skill development by using a variety of equipment including balloons, basketballs, and softee balls. My goals in physical education are to help students develop coordination, strength, speed, endurance, and power through the use of games and activities. I am still getting to know students and families and am looking forward to meeting everyone.

Art

In art classes we incorporate art appreciation and art history as well as the elements and principles of design. We work in many mediums and hope to add more. We are fortunate to teach some of the most wonderful students! We continue to find new ways to integrate our faith into our artwork and creative process.

 

Music

 

Sister Dorene King teaches music for students in preschool through 5th grade. Mrs. Jenna Mattson teaches middle school music. At St. James, we also offer lessons for band instruments, piano, organ, and violin. The full band rehearses once per week and is directed by Mrs. Jennifer Osborne.
In music classes we include music appreciation and basic theory, as well as preparing for weekly school Masses and two concerts each school year. We enjoy learning more about sounds, voices, and instruments, as well as finding many ways to share our expression of God's wonderful gift of music.