Welcome Back (and welcome to our new families!) to another year at St. John the Baptist Catholic School! I am so excited to be here and am looking forward to all the triumphs and challenges every school year offers. My education career spans the last twenty years beginning with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University. For eleven years I taught third through sixth grade in Arizona. During that time, I also received my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Arizona State University. After I left the classroom, I worked as a faculty member for ASU in their teacher preparation programs. I designed and directed two innovative teacher preparation programs for post-baccalaureate students. That was an amazing opportunity and time of learning for me, leading me down the path to doctoral work. So, while working at ASU, I began working on my doctorate of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) in Applied Cognitive Psychology- Learning, from the Educational Psychology Department campus. Upon completing my work at ASU, I was hired by Grand Canyon University as a professor and Director of Graduate Studies for the College of Education. Once again, more administrative opportunities surfaced, and I moved into the position of Associate Dean of the College of Education. For various family reasons we determined that a move to the Northwest would be best. For the past two years I have been a professor at University of Portland. While it is a worthwhile and noble occupation, I missed administration and wanted to immerse myself in schools, to get a firsthand look at how Learning Research is applied in the classroom. So here I am at St. John the Baptist looking forward to all the excitement it brings.

Welcome back to what promises to be another great year. I have been working at St. John's School since 1997. My family has been members of St. John’s Parish since 1929. My mother graduated from SJB; I am an alumna of SJB, and both my children attended SJB from kindergarten through eighth grade. I have ten years experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, seven of which was as the Educational Assistant in our Kindergarten/1st grade. I then moved into my present position.

Angela Gomez is originally from Kansas City, KS.  She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in music from St. Mary College in Leavenworth, KS. After graduation, she moved to Portland to attend the University of Portland’s Pacific Alliance for Catholic Education (PACE) program where she lived in community, taught third grade at Our Lady of Sorrows School in South East Portland, and took classes to receive her Master of Education Degree with a Special Education Endorsement. She taught a combination of first through third grades and K-4 music at Our Lady of Sorrows over the past five years. She will be taking classes at the University of Portland for post graduate work in administration and she will be teaching the Kindergarten class at St. John the Baptist School for the 2007-2008 school year.  

Hello! My name is Alina Best. I was born and raised in NW Montana, one of five children in a Cuban-American family. I earned my BA in Elementary Education with a Spanish concentration at a Milligan College, a small Christian liberal arts school in East Tennessee. I come to St. John the Baptist with extensive experience in child-development, and enthusiasm for helping children become lifelong learners. I'm so thrilled to be a part of your community, and look forward to an exciting year together.

I am Mary Hoag, the second grade teacher at St. John the Baptist School. I am a graduate of Oregon State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. I am a product of Catholic education graduating from All Saints School and St. Mary of the Valley High School (Valley Catholic). I taught second and third grades at All Saints before starting my family. I am married and have two teenage daughters- one attending Oregon State University and the other attending Central Catholic. We are members of St. Charles Parish. I look forward to getting to know the St. John’s community better.

Hi! My name is Jennifer Smith, and I am happy to be joining the St. John's community again. I recently graduated from the University of Portland with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in English. At UP, I had the opporutnity to work in a variety of classrooms and left with a passion of infusing a love of learning in children. I love music and play the flute, piano, and some guitar! In my spare time, I enjoy running, cycling, singing, baking, reading, and writing. I am looking forward to an excellent school year!

Kasey Hughes grew up in Eastern Oregon, and relocated to this area after high school where she attended University of Portland. At UP Ms. Hughes earned her BA in Elementary and Middle School Education with a Mathematics certificate.  Since leaving UP Ms. Hughes has gained a wide variety of experience. For two years she worked in a rural community outside of Tucson, AZ where she spent some time working with English Language Learners and then taught 4th grade for one year. She then moved out east for a year where she worked at an environmental K-8 charter school in Philadelphia, PA. Considering her teaching license is from OR Ms. Hughes worked as a teacher's assistant in a dynamic 1st grade classroom, as well as teaching the K-1 After School Program. Ms. Hughes is excited to be back in the northwest working in the St. John the Baptist community and is looking forward to another fantastic school year in the fourth grade. "It is always exciting teaching math! I have always felt that if you're going to truly understand what you are learning, you have to experience it first-hand."

Hello! My name is Ashley Roelofs (formerly Moschetti). I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. After graduating from St. Mary’s Academy I decided to make the move to San Francisco, California to attain my undergraduate degree at St. Mary’s College of California. I entered with the intention of majoring in international business, but left with the passion and drive to teach. San Francisco was a place that gave me the opportunity to develop my knowledge of different cultures, customs, and beliefs, in turn, expanding my concept of diversity. I moved back to Portland after graduating from St. Mary’s College in May of 2006 to attend the University of Portland as a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Teaching program. Graduate school was excellent preparation in becoming an elementary teacher and after student teaching fifth grade this past year, I left the University of Portland feeling confident, prepared and determined. This is my third year at St. John the Baptist and I am confident that this year will be an enjoyable, successful year where I hope to encourage a love of learning among all of my students.

I am the middle school Language Arts and Religion teacher and the sixth grade homeroom teacher. This is my fourth year teaching at Saint John the Baptist. I entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1996 and made my Perpetual Profession in 2004. I earned my BA in English Literature at the University of Denver. I also earned my MA in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Denver. I have my Professional Teaching License from Colorado and an Oregon Teaching License as well. I am currently working towards a Master’s degree in Theology from Saint Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. 

Paula Miller is St. John’s middle school history and literature teacher. She is a native Oregonian who was born and raised in Portland where she attended St. Cecilia’s grade school and Jesuit High School. After high school, she attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington where she received a degree in history and sociology and attained her teaching certification for secondary social studies. Before teaching at St. John the Baptist Paula taught middle school students for three years at Sacred Heart School in Gervais, Oregon. Paula enjoys running, camping, gardening, and watching college basketball. She lives in southwest Portland with her husband John.

Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann taught 6-8 grade Religion and Social Studies from 2001-2006 at Saint John the Baptist School. She has returned to Oregon this year to pursue doctoral studies in education and to teach first and fourth grade Religion at Saint John's. Sister has taught primary and middle school in New York, Michigan, and Oregon. She is a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan

I received my BA in Education and Social Studies from Northeastern University in Chicago, IL and began my teaching career at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Streamwood, IL. I completed my Master of Arts in Curriculum from National Teacher’s College. I moved to the Portland area in 1988 and worked for many years as the Title One co-coordinator for the ten Catholic Schools with Title One programs through Jostens Learning. I received my Reading Endorsement during that time. I have taught many teacher classes on the use of computers in the classroom through Portland State University and adult classes as well as teaching Technology at the elementary level. I live with my husband, Merrill and my parents Walter and Doris LeCouteur have an apartment on the lower level of our home. I am an avid reader and I love gardening.

I am very excited to be the P.E. teacher again and this year I will be teaching middle school advanced math at St. John the Baptist School. My educational background includes a BS from the University of Oregon. While at Oregon I was a member of the Softball team- ranked 11th in the nation during my four years! I was also selected to the PAC-10 All Academic team every year as well as receiving a Dean’s scholarship for academic achievement. I love to watch sports; especially the Ducks…GO, DUCKS! I recently received my MAT from Concordia University and I am endorsed to teach Physical Education, Health and Mathematics. I have been married to my wonderful husband Francois for 4 and half years and we have or 2 year old daughter, Sophie and in December will be expecting our son! I grew up in the Portland area after moving from B.C., Canada when I was in middle school. I am excited to be a part of this great community and can’t wait for the school year to start!

Sister Mary Danielle Johnson, RSM is a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan. This is her third year at Saint John the Baptist School as a Resource Teacher and Librarian. Sister has a Masters degree in Reading Education (K-12), (M.Ed.) from the University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H., and a Masters degree in Library and Information Science (M.L.S.) from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

I'm happy to be back at St. John the Baptist School this year. Originally from Minnesotoa, I earned my BS degee in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. I have taught a number of grades ranging from pre-school to middle school in Minnesota, Iowa, Washington and Oregon. I studied piano and music theory for 13 years, I've taught piano lessons for over 20 years and I've taken part in a number of piano competitions over the years. I also played trombone for 9 years and have been a member of my church's bell choir for the past 7 years. Music is definitely an important part of my life and I love sharing this passion with the great students at SJB!

My name is Mary Danna and I am the head teacher of the Pre-K class. I have been teaching at St. John's Preschool since we opened in 2001. I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Oregon State University. I have 14 years of teaching experinece in the catholic schools. My husband Steven and I have three children who have attended St. John the Baptist School and we have been parishioners here for 15 years. It is a joy to be apart of this close knit catholic community.

My name is Stephanie Gottsch and I am the 3yr old's preschool teacher at St. Johns. I am also the teacher's aide for the 4 yr old's class. I love being able to play a role during these two years in which the children are experiencing their first taste of school, new friends, and new "big kid" situations. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, at the University of Portland. My husband and I have four daughters, three of which attend St. Johns, and one at LaSalle. Our family has been a part of St. Johns Parish for 11 year.

This is my third year at St. John the Baptist as the Kindergarten aide to Ms. Gomez. I am married to Steve, we have three adult daughters and three grandchildren. Before joining the staff at SJB I was an instructional assistant at St. Stephen's and Our Lady of Sorrows in Portland. I am an avid reader and enjoy gardening, crafts and my grandchildren. I am honored working here at St. John's. I love the staff and am crazy about the kids."