Principal
My name is Sharon Pristash, and I am the principal of St. James Catholic School, in Duluth, Minnesota. I received my bachelor degree in Elementary Education and English from The College of St. Scholastica as well as a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I earned my doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and my K-12 administrative licensure from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.
I have 22 years of teaching experience at a range of levels, kindergarten through college. All of my elementary teaching experience has been at St. James School. This is my tenth year as principal of St. James.
Highlights of being principal at St. James Catholic School:
· I can integrate my spiritual life with my professional life - not only CAN we pray, we're EXPECTED to!
· Wonderful students!
· Excellent, dedicated teachers!
· Involved, committed parents!
· Small school and small classes!
· Safe, caring environment!
· I get lots of hugs, refrigerator art, and other priceless perks - every day!
Preschool Full Day
My name is Diane Shusta and I teach the Preschool full-day program this year at St. James on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I graduated from the College of St. Scholastica with a B.A. degree in PreKindergarten and Early Childhood. I have over twenty-five years of experience in teaching preschool and I was owner, director, and teacher of Cornerstone Preschool and Child Care Center for twelve years until I sold it in 2000. I am now beginning by fourth year at St. James Catholic School.
I have remained active in the profession of early childhood in many areas, I have been a validator for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, validating preschool programs seeking national accreditation, and am now a consultant for Early Childhood programs wishing to start the accreditation process. I served as the Region 5 director for the Minnesota Association for Education of Young Children, and on the Board for the Duluth Association for the Education of Young Children.
I plan to design a curriculum that includes: Self-elected and teacher planned activities,-- science, math, language arts, music, fine arts, and socialization. Emphasis is placed on exploration, discovery, and encouraging curiosity. The primary goal is spiritual development, caring, and respecting one another. The curriculum also includes field trips, letter recognition, basic Spanish, and a good deal of fun, with a focus on developing the skills needed for a successful and confident academic career later on.
Preschool half day
My names is Diane Sorensen and I am the preschool teacher for the MWF morning class the Morning Glories! I graduated from UMD with a BS degree in K-6 Elementary Education and have 16 years of experience as a preschool teacher (7 years as a director). I look forward to my first year at St. James Catholic School.
I plan to implement curriculum that includes math, science, language arts, music and movement, art, and social skills. Spiritual development, caring and respect for others will be interlaced into many of the things that we do during the day. My goal is to establish a base of confidence and joy in learning for the children that will continue to grow throughout their lives.
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 fifth 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 Melissa Olson. I earned my B.A. degree from The College of St. Scholastica. I also recently completed the course work and received my Master's degree from the University of MN - Duluth. I have been teaching first grade at St. James for nine years.
Highlights of First Grade:
· Learn about what it means to be a Christian.
· Learn to read!!
· Learn addition and subtraction facts and strategies.
· Flat Stanley!
2nd 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 eight years. I chose teaching as my career because I enjoy teaching new things to children.
Highlights of second grade include:
· First Reconciliation
· First Communion
· addition with renaming
· subtraction with borrowing
· cursive handwriting
· world geography skills
· dinosaurs!
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 28 th 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, matter and plants
· learning skills to be able to read, write, and understand stories
· learning keyboarding skills
· going snow-shoeing to learn winter ecology
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 taught at St. James for 11 years.
Highlights of the 4th Grade:
· learning about the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes
· learning multiplication with larger numbers and long division
· learning about the 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 9 years.
Highlights of the 5th Grade:
· taking a trip to ELC
· choosing and writing about a Saint
· studying American history
· Sciences include - land biomes, oceans, space, and earth movements
. trip to ELC (Environmental Learning Center)
. study of Saints
. American History
. Science topics include land biomes, oceans, space, and earth movements
Middle School 6th grade homeroom
My name is Geri Pelzel This is my first year at St. James, and I am very excited to be here. Last year, I graduated from Augustana College with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a middle school endorsement in Language Arts. I am originally from Sleepy Eye, MN, and received a K-12 Catholic education there. I will be the sixth grade homeroom teacher here at St. James, and will teach Middle School English, Literature, and Religion.
Middle School 7th grade homeroom
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. I am the 7th grade homeroom teacher and teach Religion, English, Literature, and Spanish in the St. James Middle School.
Middle School 8th grade homeroom
My name is Joseph Lendobeja. In addition to 8 th grade homeroom, I teach Middle School math and science and 8th grade technology. This is my second year at St. James, and I am very excited for it to get underway. I graduated from Bemidji State University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Specialty in Middle School Mathematics. I am originally from Brainerd, where I attended St. Francis Catholic School through the 7th Grade. I chose to teach at St. James because I wanted to teach in a positive Catholic environment where I could help students grow closer to God.
Physical Education
Hello my name is Stacey Karkkainen. I teach Physical Education and Wellness. I earned a degree from the College of St. Scholastica and work as a nurse at SMDC during my "spare" time. Prior to teaching at St. James I was the owner of a Child Care Business for 8 years and I have coached various sports for the last 7 years. Our physical education program focuses on health and wellness for life teaching students about healthy choices. After all, healthy choices create healthy living!
Art
I am Richarda Witikko, and I am the art teacher at St. James. I earned my B.A. in Art from the College of St. Catherine in 1978, and my teaching license in the M. A. T. program at the University of St. Thomas in 1979. This is my 8th year teaching art at St. James, but I have taught at other schools over the years, as well as practiced a career in interior design. My favorite job, however, has been raising my three children for the last thirteen years.
Highlights:
In art class we incorporate art appreciation and art history as well as the elements and principles of design. We work in many mediums and also hope to add more. I am fortunate to teach some of the most talented students in Duluth! We begin each class with prayer and never run out of new ways to infuse our creative efforts with our Faith.
Music
My name is JC Curtis. I graduated from UMD with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and earned a master's degree in Special Education form Eastern Michigan University. In Michigan I taught 32 years in K-3 elementary, K-12 special education and K-8 music. I retired back to the family home on Park Point. I am organist at church. This is my sixth year teaching music part time at St. James and St. Rose schools.
Highlights:
Exploring music through playing band and orchestra instruments (including recorders in grades 3-8); singing songs in 1, 2, or 3 parts and rounds; and learning the "musical language" and cultural styles and eras of music. In middle school, students also have a chance to join one of the trimester clubs on Monday afternoons. The music club involves Djembe drums, recorders, and a hand bell choir.
