Unified Catholic Schools

Our Staff

Our Philosophy

STAFF

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Stephanie Burke, Principal
Janet McWhirter, Preschool Director
Candy Bench, Administrative Assistant
Debbie Evans, Receptionist/Registrar

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STAFF
Chris Zigment, Kindergarten
Monica Leckey, 1^st Grade
Lucca Dust, 2^ndGrade
Jamie Fleischmann, 3^rd Grade

Meggan Michaels, 4^th Grade

Rachel Evans, 5^th Grade
Michelle Thiele, 6^th Grade/MS Science
Kim German, 7^th Grade
Ryan Schauffele, 8^th Grade
Kavon Rueter, MS Math

Jennifer Cannon, Kindergarten Aide

PRE-SCHOOL STAFF

Janet McWhirter, Pre-school Director

Lynne Bischoff, Pre-school Teacher Assistant

    SPECIALS TEACHERS
   Claraines Aguado, Spanish

Shannon Boyd, Art

Jeanmarie Bonifield Prohaski, Music

Theresa Bruno, Technology
Alicia Holden, Physical Education

CAFETERIA STAFF
Terri Gray, Cafeteria Supervisor

Ann Peterson, Lunchroom Assistant

STEPHANIE BURKE, PRINCIPAL

My name is Stephanie Burke, and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve you and your children as Principal this year. I was born in California and raised in New Mexico before moving to Texas to complete my education.

My family and I are locals of Colorado Springs and parishioners of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church. I have served children for over 15 years as a teacher and administrator. I received my undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and my Masters in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University, Commerce, Texas.

My husband, Dan, and I are the proud parents of four children - Jordan, age 18, Ariel, age 17, Ahron, age 16, and Marcus, age 12. We love our Catholic faith and when we have free time we enjoy hiking, four- wheeling, and anything outdoors in this beautiful state of ours. I am looking forward to an amazing year here at Pauline and appreciate the warm welcome I’ve received!
May God bless you and yours. Go Panthers!

JANET MCWHIRTER, PRE-SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Current Teaching Assignment: Pre-school Teacher/Director

Teaching Experience: 5 years teaching in a Southern California Child Development Center. Twenty-one years as teacher/director of Pauline Memorial Pre-school.
Degrees: BA in Child Development from California State University at Los Angeles

Certification: Colorado Professional Teaching License, Elementary & Early Childhood Education

CANDY BENCH, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

DEBBIE EVANS, RECEPTIONIST/REGISTRAR

Debbie moved to Colorado Springs in 2007 from Arlington, Virginia, where she was the assistant to the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Arlington. Prior to working for the Superintendent, Debbie was the Director of Admissions and assistant to the Principal at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School in Woodbridge, Virginia. She feels blessed to be working at Pauline Memorial with wonderful teachers and administrators who are dedicated to Catholic education.

CHRIS ZIGMENT, KINDERGARTEN

Background: Chris was born and raised in New York where she graduated from the University of the State of New York with B. A. in English Literature. Chris’ duties as an Air Force wife took her all over the country and included a seven year stay in Germany. While overseas, she was a substitute teacher and a kindergarten aide. Upon returning to the States, Chris went back to school and earned her teaching license from UCCS and was a substitute teacher for two years before coming to Pauline Memorial as a part-time kindergarten teacher. In 1997, she developed the all-day kindergarten program to increase the amount of teachable time and minimize stress while still allowing for a developmentally appropriate kindergarten program with a hands-on philosophy.

Chris’ great love of reading led her to earn her Masters Degree in Reading and Literacy from Walden University in 2003. Her husband, Len, retired after 24 years in the Air Force and is currently a high school math teacher. They have been married for over 35 years and have four grown children, two grandchildren and a dog named Brandy. Chris’ hobbies include reading, cross-stitching, and scrap booking.

MONICA LECKEY, 1^ST GRADE

Educational Background:
Graduated from Arizona State University in 1990 with a BA in English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.
Teaching Experiences:
Monica worked at St. Mary-Basha Catholic Elementary School in Chandler, AZ, as Art Directory for two years before moving to Colorado Springs in 2000. At Pauline, Monica taught 6th Grade in 2001 and 7th Grade in 2002. She moved to 1st Grade in 2003.

Certification:
Monica holds an Arizona teaching license and was Colorado certified in 2001 in all subjects, grades K-8.

Professional Organizations:
National Catholic Educational Association
Colorado Council of International Reading Association
Extracurricular Activities:

Watching the Colorado Rockies
5th, 6th, and 7th grade volleyball coach for 5 years.
Student Council Teacher Representative for 5 years.
Chairwoman of the Fall Dance for 3 years.
Chairwoman of the Talent Show for 3 years.
School Representative of the Safety Committee for the Diocese of Colorado Springs for four years.
Personal Interest:
Monica enjoys reading, glass painting, hiking, and spending time with her husband and four wonderful children.

LUCCA DUST, 2^ND GRADE

Lucca Dust has a B.A. in Education from the University of Portland in Oregon and received the Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding service as Eucharistic Minister to the elderly, worker in Missionaries of Charities, parish outreach and volunteer work with autistic children and Infant de Prague Orphanage. She has thirty-six post graduate hours in fine arts and methodology in elementary math, science and language. She received a Japanese fellowship from Pacific

University. Educational experiences:

5 years as a primary teacher at Dilcon, Wide Ruins, Navajo Reservation-bilingual demonstration classroom

3 years as a preschool director at Astoria, Oregon

14 years as a primary teacher at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic School

Hobbies: Charcoal rendering, dancing (intertribal, Morris, rock and roll), canoeing.

JAMIE FLEISCHMANN, 3^RDGRADE

Jamie received her BA in Elementary Education as well as her teaching license from CU with a specialization in Social Sciences. She received a Whole Language Certification from CU as well. She taught 2nd grade for three years at Divine Redeemer, taught gifted and talented and special needs in District 11 for one year, and substituted on year at Head Start for disadvantaged preschool children. She has been at Pauline Memorial since 1991. Jamie enjoys water-skiing, pottery, hiking, biking, reading and spending time with her grandson and granddaughter.

MEGGAN MICHAELS, 4^TH GRADE

Meggan grew up in an Air Force family and moved to Colorado in 1992. She Graduated with her BA in Recording Arts Communication in 2002 from UCCS. She was a substitute for various districts before returning to school for her teaching credentials. She has a MA in Curriculum and Instruction from UCCS. Mrs. Michaels taught second grade for four years in District 11 before coming to Pauline. Meggan has a 1 year old daughter, a dog and a very silly cat.

Memberships: National Forensics League, International Thespian Society, Piano Players Guild, Colorado Springs Chorale, National Council for the Teachers of Mathematics, CCIRA, National Education Association

RACHEL EVANS, 5^TH GRADE

Rachel was born and raised Pennsylvania and graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Elementary and Special Education. She moved to Colorado Springs in 2008 to pursue her MBA at UCCS. Rachel holds her Pennsylvania teaching license and has recently become certified in Colorado. This is her first year teaching at Pauline Memorial Catholic School. She is very active within her parish teaching both elementary and middle school formation.

Rachel enjoys golfing, skiing, working out, traveling, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and spending time with friends and family.

MICHELLE THIELE, 6^TH GRADE/MS SCIENCE

Education:

Graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School

University of California, Sacramento, Major in Biology/ Minor in Chemistry

University of Phoenix, Masters in Education

I have been a Medical Technologist for 12 years before entering
education. I have lived in many places before returning to my home town of Colorado Springs. I enjoy spending time with my family and the outdoors.

KIM GERMAN, 7^THGRADE

Teaching Experience: Ten years at Sts. Peter and Paul in Tulsa, Oklahoma
One year at St. Anthony's in San Antonio, Texas, and one year in Buena Vista Colorado Public School Systems

Education: Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado Professional Teachers
Professional Teachers’ Licenses: Secondary, State of Co. Life time Professional Teachers License: Secondary, State of Texas; Secondary State of Oklahoma with a special endorsement in Middle School

Sponsor of Clubs: Student Council Forensics
Mentor Teacher: Notre Dame ACE Program
Social Studies and Theology Curriculum Writing Team
Social Studies and Theology Book Adoption Committee
Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Catechesis Certification for the Dioceses of Tulsa
Certified "Schools Attuned" School Team Leader
School contact for the National Geographic Society and Geography Bee
School contact for Joseph Baldwin Academy, Truman University

RYAN SCHAUFFELE, 8^TH GRADE

KAVON RUETER, MS MATH
Kavon Rueter has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Texas. She has been a middle school mathematics teacher for four years and a math tutor for two years. She was also the MathCounts coach for a small private school. The school competed with the larger public middle schools at city competitions and her team was one of the few selected to go to the Colorado state competitions. She is also a math history buff and has designed, printed and published over nine hundred educational posters that highlight the history of mathematics. Her posters have sold to teachers and professors both nationally and internationally. She feels very blessed to be a part of the Pauline Memorial Catholic School team and will do everything in her power to help each student achieve academic excellence. After all, math is radical!

JENNIFER CANNON, KINDERGARTEN/1^ST GRADE AIDE

Jennifer is a native of Colorado. She and her husband have two children, Karina, 8^th grade and Tony, 3^rd grade. The Cannon family has been part of the St. Paul/PMCS community for eight years, and she served on the PMCS Advisory Council from 2003-2008.

Jennifer worked in the lunchroom for two years before becoming the Kindergarten Aide. This is her third year in Kindergarten and first year in 1^st grade. She likes to read, scrapbook, spend time with her family and is a life-long Bronco fan!

JANET MCWHIRTER, PRE-SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Current Teaching Assignment: Pre-school Teacher/Director

Teaching Experience: 5 years teaching in a Southern California Child Development Center. Twenty-one years as teacher/director of Pauline Memorial Pre-school.

Degrees: BA in Child Development from California State University at Los Angeles

Certification: Colorado Professional Teaching License, Elementary & Early Childhood Education

LYNNE BISCHOFF, PRE-SCHOOL TEACHER ASSISTANT

CLARAINES AGUADO, SPANISH

My name is Claraines Aguado and I am thrilled to teach my native language at PMCS! I attended The Catholic University in Bogota, Colombia and studied early childhood education and child psychology. I have taught Spanish for 11 years at The Classical Academy (District 20), and this is my second year at Pauline Memorial Catholic School. I found this experience to immensely rewarding.

I have been married for 29 years to my husband Axel and we are the proud parents of our two sons Axel Jr. and Brian.

I enjoy international travel and have had the opportunity to visit different countries around the world. I enjoy traveling because it gives me the opportunity to explore and understand different cultures and societies. I also enjoy watching movies, dancing, reading, yoga, walking, aerobics, cooking, and of course, teaching Spanish to children!

I’m looking forward to a happy and productive school year with all my students at PMCS.

God Bless you all!

SHANNON BOYD, ART

Shannon graduated from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN with a BA in Art and Graphic Design and Secondary Education. She has been licensed in the state of Minnesota and holds a current teaching license in Colorado.

Teaching Experience:
Shannon’s experience includes teaching at the junior and senior high level in the Minneapolis and St. Paul School Systems, the Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy, and at Holy Trinity Catholic School. She began teaching at Pauline Memorial in 1988. Shannon created the art curriculum used at PMCS to give students an opportunity to learn the basics about the elements and principles of Art through design projects.

Shannon and her husband Mike were married in 1970 and have three children, all of whom graduated from Pauline. In her free time Shannon enjoys reading murder mysteries, baking treats, and creating designs on Adobe Illustrator.

JEANMARIE BONIFIELD PROHASKI, MUSIC

Jeanmarie Bonifield Prohaski has a long career in music teaching, including a full private voice studio for 16 years, 15 years of public school, and 2 years as an adjunct music professor in Music Education and Voice at Texas A&M Commerce.

Mrs. Bonifield took an 80 member choir to the TMEA convention in San Antonio in 2007 to perform a concert for an audience of several thousand music teachers. She has been chosen teacher of the year at two different campuses and has taken 1^st place with three music memory teams in UIL competitions.

Mrs. Bonifield loves to teach music, experience music, and perform music. She is delighted to add sacred music back into her curriculum at Pauline Memorial and St. Peter’s Catholic Schools. Mrs. Bonifield enjoys giving her students the opportunity to shine. She strives to prepare students for success with multiple performance opportunities. She looks forward to fully serving the community of Pauline Memorial and St. Paul’s.

THERESA BRUNO, TECHNOLOGY

ALICIA HOLDEN, PE