NEW FACULTY - 2018-19 Sr. Teresa Christi Balek (Upper School History & Theology) Sr. Teresa Christi is originally from St. Louis, MO, and I will cheer for the Twins as long as they aren t playing the Cardinals! She entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2008 and professed final vows in 2016. While completing her M.A. in American history at the Catholic University of America, she was able to support the students in campus ministry as a Religious-in-Residence. Most recently, she has been teaching history in Phoenix, AZ. I am looking forward to digging out my snow boots and bringing our Dominican love for truth, goodness, and beauty to the students and families of Saint Agnes! Ms. Angela Boris (Montessori Lead Guide) Ms. Boris has been working in Montessori schools since 2009, serving in various roles to learn and master the Montessori approach. Her extensive experience includes working as an Extended Day Assistant, Children s House Aide and Assistant, and other various support roles, including implementing, assisting, and leading Montessori summer programs. She stays involved with the Montessori community by serving as a mentor for current trainees, attending alumni mentorship and networking events, and enhancing her knowledge through Montessori related workshops. Ms. Boris earned her BA in Mass Communication from Waldorf College, interning and working in radio events and promotions for a few years before realizing her passion for working with children using the Montessori method. She received her AMI Primary diploma from the Montessori Center of Minnesota in 2016 and earned her Master of Arts in Education (Montessori Primary) in 2017 from the University of St. Catherine. Ms. Boris writes, As an attendee of Catholic schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade and a firm believer in the Montessori method, I have a strong passion to combine both my faith and my love of children. Dr. Montessori believed that education serves as an aid to life, for the whole child, and for every child. I am excited to be part of a community that upholds this belief through education, through faith, and through the support of each child s intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual development. Welcome, Ms. Boris!
Ms. Samantha Burr (Upper School Religion) Originally from the Twin Cities, Ms. Burr earned a double major from the University of Notre Dame in Classics and Theology, and she has recently completed her MA in Theology with the Fighting Irish. In addition, Ms. Burr was a part of the Echo Program in the McGrath Institute for Church Life, a twoyear program focusing on human, spiritual, and communal formation. The Echo program placed her at Nativity Catholic School in Indianapolis, Indiana where she taught middle school Religion. With her background in Classics, Ms. Burr also has research proficiencies in Latin and Attic Greek. She writes: "I am inspired by the philosophy of Saint Agnes [and] I am passionate about liberal arts education from my time at Nova Classical Academy in high school and liberal arts studies in college. My studies in theology have made me passionate about the goodness of the faith and helping others understand it. Through my experience teaching I have become convicted that all students can learn to think critically and express themselves articulately, and that we have a call to help students on this journey because of their dignity as children of God. When I teach, I strive to help students engage with the faith in a concrete way, while also inviting them to wonder. [ ] I try to inspire my students to moral action, and so we discuss how our faith calls us to lead good lives. I want my students to understand that our faith can truly transform us." Welcome, Ms. Burr! Sr. Mary Philomena Coon (6 th Grade Homeroom) Sr. Mary Philomena is from Binghamton, NY, and entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2007. She obtained a B.S. in elementary education and integrated science from Eastern Michigan University and is currently working towards a master's in science education (biology) at the University of Southern Mississippi. She has taught in Buda, TX and Spiritus Sanctus Academy, MI. Over the past year, she has been studying philosophy at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. I look forward to getting to know each of you at Saint Agnes and teaching at your school this year! Mrs. Mary Culhane (Montessori Aide & Ages 3-5 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) Mrs. Culhane has been part of Seton Montessori for the past three years. She has served as an Assistant Guide and she s also been trained in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Mrs. Culhane's impressive background includes a BA in Philosophy from St. Mary's College and a JD from the University of Notre Dame Law School. In addition, Mrs. Culhane served the Church in various ways as a CCD instructor, an RCIA Sponsor, a member of various parish councils, and a Marriage Mentor. This coming fall, Mary will lead our Montessori students into the CGS atrium for faith formation. As a long-time friend of Saint Agnes, she is excited to be a part of the new Montessori preschool at Saint Agnes and its growing Catechesis of the Good Shepherd programming. Mary is known for her knowledge and care of each child, greeting them with her infectious smile each day as they arrive. Saint Agnes School is grateful that Mary will continue her work with Seton at its new location!
Mr. Michael Giebel (Upper School Mathematics) Mr. Giebel is a graduate of St. John's University with majors in Mathematics and Secondary Education. He has taught various levels of middle and high school math since 2015, most recently teaching at St. Thomas More Catholic School, and is excited to take on our upper level math courses! While at St. John's, Mr. Giebel was the Treasurer of an organization called "Up 'Til Dawn" and he was in charge of fundraising over $120,000 for St. Jude Children s Research Hospital over a period of two years. Of his experience, he writes: "Over the past two years I have attained valuable experience relating to students and instructing math content in different ways. I believe that developing positive relationships with students is the most important trait of an influential teacher. My education...at Saint John s University has equipped me to have the motivation and positive attitude to teach the future leaders of America. [ ] I hope to continue your vision that teaches each student to recognize truth, fosters a love for learning, and provides the intellectual skills and training to succeed in one s life vocation." Welcome, Mr. Giebel! Ms. Theresa Kinyon (Upper School History) Ms. Kinyon received her MA in Secondary Education from Creighton University as part of Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. She earned her BA from Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. in History, and she also studied abroad in Rome. Ms. Kinyon recently worked for four years at St. Anthony Catholic School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin teaching World History, American History, and Church History. In addition, she served as Pastoral Support Coordinator promoting Catholic identity, leading morning prayer with students, preparing student leaders for retreats, and leading a weekly Bible study. Originally from Rapid City, South Dakota she is excited to be closer to family. She writes: "I am drawn to Saint Agnes because of its strong Catholic identity and exceptional intellectual rigor. [ ] I believe a strong, Catholic education is focused on empowering students to sainthood. People are capable of tremendous accomplishments when they recognize their Godgiven talents and are willing to embark on the challenging work necessary for building the Kingdom of God. The humanities classroom lends itself to learning the truth behind this statement, and I am enthusiastic to form Catholic hearts and minds in this tradition." Welcome, Ms. Kinyon! Ms. Kathleen Kirsch (Upper School English, Latin, and Greek) Ms. Kirsch, sister of 6 th Grade Teacher Ms. Claire Kirsch, has an impressive resume. She earned her BA in Classics and Early Christian Literature with a minor in History from Ave Maria University in Florida. She is currently finishing her dissertation on the poetry of the Latin author Prudentius toward her PhD. in Greek and Latin from Catholic University of America. Ms. Kirsch has served as a teaching fellow at CUA since 2012, teaching various levels of Greek and Latin, and has also spoken at numerous conferences. Reflecting on teaching, she writes: "I have been formed intellectually and personally through the liberal arts, and as a teacher I design my courses not only as internally coherent but also as components of a comprehensive education. For example, in my Greek and Roman Mythology course, I combined historical analysis of the ancient tales with an evaluation of their enduring value, using Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis as a reference point. I am a strong proponent of the Catholic intellectual tradition, which has as its foundation in classical paideia." Salve, Magistra Kirsch (Hello, Ms. Kirsch in Latin)!
Sr. Mary Consolata Klucik (4 th Grade Homeroom) Sr. Mary Consolata entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist after graduating from high school in Ave Maria, FL. She called many places home, including Germany, over the years due to her father's service in the Army. Sr. Mary Consolata first met the Dominican Sisters as a first grader at Spiritus Sanctus Academy, MI. Her family ended up settling in Florida where she again was taught by the sisters at Rhodora Donahue Academy. Witnessing the sisters' joy and love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist gave her the desire, and eventually the courage, to follow Jesus as a religious sister. She earned her teaching degree in elementary education at Eastern Michigan University. I am delighted to join the Saint Agnes school family the entire Saint Agnes community and especially my future students are in my prayers! Mrs. Margaret Langlois (Kindergarten Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) Mrs. Langlois, parent of a 2012 Aggie alumna, has been in Catholic education for over twenty years. She served as a 4th grade teacher at Holy Name Catholic School and has been in Catechesis instruction for the past decade. For five years, Mrs. Langlois was in charge of Children s Faith Formation at the Cathedral of St. Paul, leading the Good Shepherd program in multiple levels while also serving as a Good Shepherd Catechist at St. Joseph s in West St. Paul. Most recently, she was the Director of Pre-K Montessori at Holy Family Academy in St. Louis Park and started the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program in the school. Mrs. Langlois is excited to return to the Saint Agnes School community and she writes that her goal is to help others strengthen their relationship with Jesus through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. [I desire] to use my knowledge of Catholic education to help in maintaining an environment that is faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Welcome back, Mrs. Langlois, to Saint Agnes School! Mrs. Jennifer Loch (1 st Grade Homeroom) Mrs. Loch is returning to Saint Agnes after a seven-year hiatus to be at home with her children! She taught second grade with Mr. Johnson and will now teach first grade with Mrs. Eckberg. Mrs. Loch earned her BA in Elementary Education and Psychology at the University of St. Thomas, and she also obtained training in Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She kept very busy during her time away, serving her home parish of Holy Trinity in South St. Paul as a volunteer religion teacher and director of their Catechesis of The Good Shepherd program. Mrs. Loch, excited to return, writes: Teaching at Saint Agnes was a wonderful experience and has had a lasting impression on my life. I had many beautiful opportunities with the second grade to share my faith with students as well as my love of learning. I am especially excited to be back at Saint Agnes School because of the commitment to Christ and His Church. I am a strong support of Catholic education because I believe students educated in Catholic Schools have academic strength, are morally conscious and are Christ-centered. She is thrilled to also have her own children attending Saint Agnes School this year. Welcome back, Mrs. Loch!
Sr. Mary Margaret O'Brien (Grades 3-6 Religion & Latin) Sr. Mary Margaret hails from Denver, CO, and entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2001. She holds a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Thomas Aquinas College, CA; a post-baccalaureate teaching certificate from Eastern Michigan University; a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Southern Mississippi; and a master's degree in theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, PA. She has taught elementary school for nine years in Colorado, Michigan, Florida, and California. I love to tell stories and help students fall in love with Our Lord! I look forward with joy to becoming a part of the Saint Agnes School family. Mr. Ted Sexton (Upper School English) Mr. Sexton earned his BA from St. Mary's University in Winona studying English and minoring in Philosophy, and he is currently wrapping up his MA in Instruction from his undergraduate alma mater. Having taught since 2009, Mr. Sexton worked at Hill Murray for a year and most recently served at Nova Classical Academy, where he taught various English courses ranging from junior high to seniors since 2011. He has also served as the Faculty Advisor to the Philosophy Club, developed curriculum, implemented innovative crosscontent teaching with Art and Math departments, and taught a wide variety of great authors such as Homer, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, Seneca, Ovid, Virgil, and St. Augustine. Moving from a public charter to a Catholic school is an exciting prospect for Mr. Sexton, and he reflects: "Opening each class with a prayer is something I fondly remember from my high school days at Saint Thomas. As an undergraduate at St. Mary s, the Christian Brothers challenged me to understand the rich intellectual history of the Church and use both faith and reason in my search for truth. Having the opportunity to implement these aspects of my faith into my teaching is an exciting change for me. My wife Jill and I (along with my son Harold and my daughter Elizabeth) are members of the Cathedral of St. Paul. More than once our family has bumped into a Saint Agnes family after Mass." Mr. Sexton, we are excited to have you on board!