New Faculty Introductions
July 8, 2022
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Dear COA Families and students,
It is my pleasure to introduce to you our new faculty hires for the 2022-2023 school year! They come with a wide variety of experience, knowledge, and teaching expertise. We look forward to welcoming them to the Curé Community and they are excited to meet all of our students and families. I will continue to send out communication each week through the month of July. Our big summer communication with tons of information regarding school will be sent out on July 22, please keep an eye out for it. I will be out of town next week attending the NAIS Heads of School Conference in Atlanta. Enjoy this month of summer as we know from the school supplies already in the stores, it will go by quickly!
Blessings,
Natalie McDonough
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Teresa graduated from Benedictine College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and an area of emphasis in Theology. Most recently, she spent a year in 6th grade, teaching Math, Science, and Religion. She has 12 years of experience, prior to that, teaching 3rd grade. Teresa spends most of her free time playing volleyball, both sand and court, and raising her children. She has a 19-year-old son, who is studying Secondary Education at K-State. Her 16-year-olds, a son and a daughter, are incoming juniors at Olathe South High School. She is absolutely thrilled to be joining the Curé team and meeting everyone. |
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Megan Cole is so excited to be joining the COA family! She is beginning her 13th year in education. She has spent the last 10 years working as an early childhood speech-language pathologist in the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools. She was born and raised in Lenexa, KS and her family attends Holy Spirit. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and a Master's from the University of Central Missouri. Megan and her husband have two daughters who attend Curé, Eliza (second grade) and Emilia "Millie" (kindergarten). They enjoy being a part of the Curé of Ars community and building lasting relationships. She is so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to teach your children! |
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Melanie Davison-School Counselor |
Melanie is excited to be joining the Curé community as a School Counselor. Melanie has earned a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development with an Emphasis on Child Life, followed by a Master of Education in School Counseling. For the past 12 years, she has worked at Children's Mercy as a Child Life Specialist, helping patients and families cope with hospitalization. She and her husband, along with their three sons, belong to the Church of the Nativity and are looking forward to working in a Catholic school. In her free time, she loves running, swimming, working on house projects with her hubby, and reading. She added, “I can't wait to meet you all and your precious children in August!"
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Shelby DeMars- Kindergarten |
We are pleased to welcome back Shelby Demars. Shelby taught Kindergarten at Curé for six years and took last year off because she and her husband welcomed their first baby girl, Stella. “It has been a joy getting to stay home with her this year and watching her grow. I am so excited to get back into teaching again and to teach Kindergarten with an awesome team” Shelby loves teaching Kindergarten because the kids love school and are always eager to learn! They grow so much from the beginning of the year to the end.
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Terri Follis-Computer Lab Instructor |
Terri graduated from Vanderbilt University with her BS in elementary education and received her Master’s of Arts at UMKC. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, having taught preschool, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 5th grade. For the last 10 years, she has been a K-8 technology teacher. She and her husband, Ed, have been married for 27 years and have 3 amazing children. Their family is very involved in the Irish community in Kansas City, especially the Kansas City Irish Fest, of which her husband is a founder. In Terri’s spare time, She loves to spend time with her family, read, travel, and cheer on the Royals and Chiefs. She is so excited to be a part of the Curé of Ars community! |
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Katy is a lifelong student of and teacher in Catholic schools, and a 3rd generation Catholic school educator. She attended the University of Dayton- Go Flyers!- and has taught at St. Anthony of Padua School (Dayton, OH), Nativity Parish School (Leawood, KS), and Holy Spirit Catholic School (Overland Park, KS). She and her husband, Andrew, will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this summer! They have 3 children, Emily (who graduated from Colgate University this past May), Tommy (a Sophomore at Kansas State University ), and Liam (a Junior at St. Thomas Aquinas H.S.) who are always keeping them busy, laughing, and loving their way through life! She loves all things Irish, sand in her shoes, and time spent with family and friends! |
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Welcome, Denise Maher. Denise and her family have been at Curé of Ars for 24 years. She holds a degree in elementary education and has worked with children for over 30 years. She is very excited to be working at Curé of Ars school in the 3-year-old preschool room. She added, “I can’t wait to meet everyone!” |
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Michelle Staub-Preschool and Kindergarten Music Teacher |
After earning her degree in dance at KU, Michelle performed in two national tours doing theatre for young audiences. Since then she has dedicated her time to teaching the performing and creative arts to young people in and around the KC metro at various schools as well as for The Coterie Theatre and Starlight. Michelle was also a paraprofessional in the Shawnee Mission School District for five years. That opportunity ingrained in her how to meet each student where they are as they grow and learn together! Outside of her professional passions, she also enjoys baking, celebrating Christmas to the max, and is an admitted Disney adult. She and her family have been so grateful to be a part of the Curé of Ars community for the last few years and now she is excited to get to sing, move, and create with the amazing imaginations in the preK and Kindergarten classes! |
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Richard Weitz-6th Grade Math |
Rich Weitz says “I am so excited to be a part of the Curé of Ars Community.” Rich has been blessed to be a part of Catholic Education for almost 25 years, as a teacher, coach, and administrator. His wife Marci teaches at St. Joseph's in Shawnee where their 3 daughters, Caroline (8), Cecilia (8), and Catherine (6) attend. In their free time, they love watching movies, attending sporting events, or eating out at a good Mexican restaurant. He looks forward to building relationships with the families and staff at Curé of Ars. Go COUGARS!!!
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New Middle School Faculty |
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Patricia Artsinger-Middle School Science |
Patricia Argetsinger is an enthusiastic and highly qualified professional with over 20 years of experience teaching middle school biology, chemistry, and physics. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in science education from Newman University. After receiving a grant from the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Foundation, she spent two months on a field-based study of fragmentation in tropical rainforest ecosystems in Costa Rica. Mrs. A, as her students call her, is an innovative educator dedicated to developing engaging lessons that address different learning styles. She is also committed to creating a dynamic learning environment that supports a student’s growth and development. Mrs. A's mission is simple – inspire a lifelong love of learning.
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Chris Durkin-Middle School Social Studies |
Chris has taught for the last 9 years at Eudora High School in Eudora, Kansas. Before his time in Eudora, he taught at Parsons High School in Parsons, Kansas. He has taught World History, Geography, United States Government, United States History, and Sociology. Along with teaching history, he is passionate about coaching and has coached many high school sports including football, wrestling, track, and softball. Chir is also passionate about helping young people achieve more than they believe they are capable of and is excited to bring that to Curé of Ars. He enjoys woodworking, playing games with his kids, and being outdoors. He adores his three beautiful children and feels extremely lucky to be married to a truly amazing woman.
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Stephanie Gildemeister-7th Grade English/Language Arts |
Ms. Gildemeister is the proud mother of four children and two mini Schnauzers. She is a graduate of the University of Florida (BA) and the University of South Florida (MA in English Education). Her favorite thing about teaching is the honor of getting to be a part of her students' life journeys. In her free time, Ms. G enjoys "thrifting" with her daughters and watching movies with her son (also a 7th grader). Ms. G is excited to be a part of the Curé family and looks forward to a great school year! |
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Clayden Weems- Middle School Math |
Clayden was born and raised in England. During that time he represented his city in soccer, basketball, cricket, and rugby. He also played for Oldham professional soccer team. After moving to America, Clayden coached state and Nationally ranked girls' soccer teams. Clayden reserved his Bachelor of Education in Math and Physical education and his Master’s Degree in Teaching. Claydon won numerous math league regional and state competitions. He had one student represent Missouri in the most difficult math contest in USA. Missouri took second place nationally. He has received the Eddy Syliffe award for outstanding math teacher. Clayden taught math at Notre Dame de Sion Middle School for 27 years and has been at KIPP for the past three years. Clayden is married and they have three children and three dogs! When he is not coaching or teaching math, Clayden enjoys working on his culinary skills.
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Curé of Ars Catholic School
9403 Mission Road Leawood, KS 66206
913-648-2620
Follow Curé of Ars Catholic School on social media.
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