St. Mary's Catholic School

PreK 3 - 8th

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Faculty/Staff Bio's

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2021-2022 Faculty/Staff Biography's

Shyla Nagireddygari: Pre-K 3
My name is Shyla Nagireddygari and I have been with St. Mary’s Pre-K for 5 Years. I’m married and have a son who lives in New Orleans. I look forward to working with your children by helping them to develop their cognitive and motor skills.

Angie Stolp: pre-K
My name is Angelika (Angie) Stolp. I was born and raised in Germany.I have been working at St Mary’s Catholic School for the past 32 years. I’m married and have two beautiful grown-up daughters and a grandson. I look forward to working with your children by helping them to grow in faith and have a great successful school year.

Jennifer Baker: Grade K
Hello! My name is Jennifer Baker. I am so excited to be the new Kindergarten teacher at SMCS. I graduated from Colorado State University with my Bachelor of Science Degree in 2004 and graduated from Kansas State University with my Master of Science Degree in 2011. My husband Chris, my son William and I have been part of the SMCS family since 2019. William will be in 5^th Grade this year with Ms. Pagan.

Teaching is a great responsibility I do not take lightly; I have tremendous pride and joy in being given the opportunity to teach your children. I look forward to meeting all of you and working together to develop our new Kindergartners into the best students they can be.

Blessings,

Mrs. Baker (Jennifer)

Hannah Fabry: Grade 1
My name is Mrs. Fabry and this is my second year teaching 1st grade at St. Mary’s. I have a Bachelor's Degree from Texas A&M-Commerce and am currently working on my Master’s Degree from Texas A&M-Central Texas. I am married to my husband, Michael, and have two girls and a baby boy on the way. I look forward to teaching during this Christ-centered year!

Linda Lindberg: Grade 2
Hi! I’m Linda Lindberg. This is my third year of teaching 2nd grade here at St.Mary’s. I’ve also taught 1st & 5th grade here. After teaching Kindergarten in a public school, I knew that I wanted to be in Catholic School where I studied for 8 years. Even though the summer was fun visiting and being with my 6 children and 3 grandsons, I’m excited to start the new year with our new Classical Education program.

John Mottram: Grade 3
I am Mr. Mottram and teach the 3rd Grade here at SMCS. This is the absolute BEST job I have ever had in my professional career. I am married (26 years), have 2 boys and 2 dogs. After serving 20 years in the United States Air Force I continued my Health Care career as an administrator. I completed my associates through the Community College of the Air Force, Bachelors in Healthcare Administration with the University of Phoenix and Masters in Elementary Education at Grand Canyon University. Teaching is, BY FAR, the most rewarding and fulfilling of God's vocations He has given me. Thank you for entrusting your child's education to me and choosing St. Mary's Catholic School for your children.

Tony Carroll: Grade 4
My name is Tony Carroll. I am honored and blessed to share with you that I will be the Fourth Grade teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School for the 2021-22 school year. I received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma. My career in education includes being a teacher, administrator, and school board member.
Teaching is truly a most meaningful profession, as it allows you to see the academic and spiritual growth daily of students. I believe every student has the ability to offer something unique and special in the classroom and to our SMCS family.

Goals for my students include—motivating students to achieve their fullest academic potential; encouraging students to participate in the sacramental life of the church; guiding students in respect for self, others, and all of God’s creation; inspiring students with a love of peace, justice, and service.

Alexandra Pagan: Grade 5
Blessings to all! My name is Alexandra Munoz Pagan, the 5th Grade Teacher. I studied for my Bachelor's Degree in Education at the University of Valencia (Spain). Also, I took theological studies with a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Sciences from the ISCREB of Barcelona (Spain) and courses of Master of Divinity at the Graduate School of the Dominicans of the Caribbean (CEDOC) of the Central University of Bayamon in Puerto Rico. Currently, I am concluding Theology studies in the concentration of Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. My work experience as a teacher was exercised in Spain and Puerto Rico at all educational levels in Catholic Schools. I thank God for the opportunity to serve at St. Mary's Catholic School of the Diocese of Austin, TX!

Suzanne Maldonado: 6th Grade Homeroom, Middle School Math, 6th Grade History
My name is Suzanne Maldonado and I am the 6th-grade homeroom teacher and teach middle school Math, Algebra 1, and 6th-grade History. I graduated from Texas A&M University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and this will be my 7th year teaching at St Mary’s, 10th year overall. I have 2 young boys, the older of which will be attending PreK here this year. Math, cooking, and reading are all passions of mine, and I look forward to a new school year exploring Classical Education together!
Kim Hawkins: 7th Grade Homeroom, 5th-8th Grade Science
I am Kim Hawkins and I have the pleasure of teaching 5th-8th grade Science. This will be my third year teaching after being in the medical field for almost 10 years. God led me to teach and I know that I have found where I am meant to be. My husband and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary this year and we have a wonderful boy who started in Pre-K 3 and is now a 3rd grader here at St. Mary’s. I received my Bachelors of Science in Biology from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in 2017. I look forward to another wonderful year.
Joe Smith: 8th Grade Homeroom, Middle School Religion, 8th Grade History
Good Day

My name is Joe Smith, this is my eighth year as a homeroom teacher and my seventh in 8th grade. I attended St. Mary’s in the late ’60s and early ’70s as a student (so yes that makes me old) I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Austin College in Sherman Texas. I look forward to teaching and learning in this new Catholic Liberal Education model. I have been married for 29 years. My wife and I have a 19-year-old Sophomore at Texas A & M. We attend Mass at Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Temple.

Deborah Reed: Middle School Math
My name is Deborah Reed and I teach Middle School Math. This year I will teach Drama with Mrs. Kuriger in addition to our new Newspaper elective and a Short Story class. I have been teaching for over thirty years at all grade levels, but mostly Middle School Math and Science. I have a BS degree in Science and post-graduate work in Education. I have three grandchildren, one of which attends St. Mary’s. I have worked here for six years and hope to work here many more.

Natalie Hoelting: Middle School Language Arts, 7th Grade History
Natalie Hoelting is a proud Aggie who has spent her entire life in Catholic education. Originally from Austin, she taught middle school ELA at Holy Family Catholic school for three years before relocating to Waco with her husband. She's taught grades fourth through eighth, but is happy to be spending the next year teaching what she truly loves: middle school ELA and History!
Janett LaRosa: Spanish
My name is Janett La Rosa, I am the Spanish teacher for Elementary and Junior high students at St. Mary’s. I have been working here since the fall of 2013 after moving with my family from the Pacific Northwest. I hold a Master’s Degree in Education with certification in Educational management from Universidad Cesar Vallejo (Peru). I also hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with certification in Language and Literature from Universidad Nacional del Santa (Peru). I enjoy teaching at St. Mary’s and I am looking forward to a great new School year!

Nita Bigon: Physical Education
My name is Nita Bigon and I teach Physical Education. My college education includes an Associates in Computer Science. My teaching experience includes substituting in Belton and Temple Schools and also here at St. Marys. I have been with St. Mary’s Catholic School since 2007. My hobbies are spending time with my family and taking vacations to the beach.
Robert Knoke: Music and Band
My name is Robert Knoke and this is my third year as the music and band teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School and Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Temple, Texas. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. I am a multi-instrumentalist as well as a classically trained lyric baritone. I am active in the music ministry of my home parish of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Temple where I attend with my wife Mary Ann and our two daughters, 8-year-old Ava and 6-year-old Emilee. Besides music I enjoy reading, archery, fishing, board games, and traveling.
Bernadette Hickman: Library Manager
I am Bernadette Hickman, SMCS' Library Manager. You will find me around books, even when I’m not at work! I have been employed at St. Mary’s for over 20 years beginning as a grantwriter, Website Manager, Receptionist, and landing in the best position of all, Library Manager. My education has been Catholic from elementary through high school culminating in a BS in Public Administration from Christopher Newport University in Virginia.
I look forward to working with you all.

Mrs. Wyles: Principal
My name is Mary Theresa Wyles and I was born and raised in Wyoming, where I earned my BA degree in Speech Pathology. After graduation, I moved to California and earned my Teaching Credential and a Masters in Reading and Administration. I have been in Catholic Education for 38 years teaching all grade levels from 1st-8th, serving as a Vice-Principal and now am in my 15th year as a Principal (8th at St. Mary’s). I believe deeply in Catholic education and love St. Mary’s Catholic School with all my heart!

Cynthia Baker: Long Term Substitute and Title I Teacher
My name is Cynthia Baker (Cyndi) and I will be the first-grade sub for Mrs. Fabry and then Title I Reading. I have taught for 25 years, fifteen years at St Mary's. My husband, Tom, and I have two daughters and a son-in-law. I am looking forward to coming out of retirement and being back at St. Mary's.

Father Kurtis Wiedenfeld: Middle School Latin Teacher
Father Kurtis was born in 1978 and he calls Copperas Cove, Texas his hometown. Raised in a military family, he is the oldest of 9 children of a devout Catholic family. In 1998, after high school, he joined the religious community of the Legionaries of Christ in Connecticut. He then studied in New York where he obtained his Bachelors in Philosophy. He then spent several years doing youth ministry in different parts of the United States. In 2006 he left the Legionaries of Christ and continued his preparation for ordination with the Diocese of Austin and was ordained in 2012. After ordination, he served at St. Thomas Aquinas in College Station, St. John Neumann in Austin, and St. Thomas Moore in Austin. In 2019 he was made the pastor of St. Mary’s in Temple.

Deanna Cayce: Administrative Assistant
Hi! My name is Deanna Cayce and I am the administrative assistant at St. Mary’s Catholic School. This year is the beginning of my fifth year here and I am so excited to be here with our amazing students, faculty, and staff.

I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia and moved to the Great State of Texas when my husband Jon was transferred to Fort Hood with the US Army. Upon his retirement, we decided to stay in Texas with our two children, Kalli who graduated from SMCS last year, and Nathan, who is one of our amazing sixth graders this year.

I look forward to another great year with you all! Let’s go Falcons!!
Marissa Giannotti: Admissions Director
My name is Marissa Giannotti and I am the new Admissions Director! I am from Branford, Connecticut where I attended Catholic schools my entire life, including St. Mary School and Mercy High School. I graduated from East Carolina University in 2019 where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies. After graduation, I moved to South Carolina where I worked for two years for a nonprofit organization. I moved here to Texas this past Spring and am excited to meet everyone this new school year!
Thomas Spells: Custodian
My name is Thomas. I have worked at St. Mary’s for 15 years. I have a wife and daughter and three grandchildren. I enjoy coming to work and seeing the kids grow and learn.

Veronica Olson: Cafeteria Assistant
My name is Veronica Olson. I have worked in the cafeteria at St. Mary’s Catholic school for more than 5 years. I enjoy working with the staff and kids at St. Mary’s. I have been married for over 30 years and have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
Justin Broadwater: Cafeteria Manager
Hello to all, my name is Justin Broadwater. I am the Cafeteria Manager here at St. Mary’s Catholic School. I am starting my 7^thfull year. I was born in Chicago, Illinois. I have lived in Texas for almost 30 years. I have two sons, Ryan who is a freshman at Temple High School and Adam will be in 7^thgrade attending Bonham Middle School. We enjoy a lot of outdoor things such as hunting, fishing, going to the shooting range, playing our PlayStation games.
We are ALL avid Chicago Bears fans and root-like we are going to the Super Bowl every year, lol. We know that is definitely not the case. Nor is it for you Cowboys fans. Just kidding. Thanks for taking the time to read this and we welcome all of our new and returning students and families with open arms. We all hope to have an amazing year. I look forward to seeing yall and your kids’ faces coming through the cafeteria doors.
Thankfully

Justin Broadwater

Kaitlyn Stewart: Falcon Care Director
My name is Kaitlyn Stewart, the new Falcon Care director this year. I have a daughter starting the second grade this year and has been with St. Mary's for the last 2 years. My husband is a Sargent currently serving in the U.S. Army at Ft. Hood for the last 2 years.