We are a parish family; we are a school family. Saint James offers a student to teacher ratio and student to sister ratio that cannot be matched. Our dedicated teachers are committed to helping our students learn and to leading them closer to Christ. We work together, we study together, we pray together, and we play together. We are truly family.
PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATOR / LATIN TEACHER
FATHER JONATHAN DAVIS
Ordained in May of 2017, Father Davis has always been a friendly face around Saint James, having first been assigned here in 2018 as the Parochial Vicar. Currently, he is also assigned to St. Patrick Parish, as Pastor.
PRINCIPAL
SECRETARY
MRS. KATELYN HELSEL
Katelyn Helsel attended the University of Central Missouri for two years. She and her husband Dusty, have four boys, Tripp, Pax, Tag, and Jett, all of whom attend or have attended Saint James School. Katelyn stayed at home raising her boys for thirteen years. Her father graduated from Saint James School, as did Katelyn and her three sisters.
Preschool
Check out our 3-year-old – 5-year-old preschool program.
Contact us to inquire about multi-day options.
LEAD PRESCHOOL TEACHER
MRS. CHRISTINA GREEN
Christina Green enjoys teaching preschool and all the adventures that come with it. She and her husband Jeff have six kids, four of whom graduated from St. James, and two who still attend St. James!
PRESCHOOL AIDE
MRS. JENNY PETROVICK
Elementary
K – 5th
KINDERGARTEN
MS. BRANDY FLORES
Ms. Brandy Flores graduated from Missouri Western with a degree in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. This will be her 22nd year teaching Kindergarten in the Catholic schools. She taught at St. Patrick for six years before coming to St. James. St. Patrick is her home parish, but she LOVES it here at St. James. Ms. Flores has two amazing children in our Catholic schools. Her daughter, Olivia, is a junior at Bishop Leblond. Her son, Brooks, is an eighth grader here at St. James.
1ST GRADE
MS CAROL ANDERSON
Ms Anderson earned her degree In Elementary Education from Missouri Western. She earned her Master’s Degree in Reading from Northwest Missouri State University. She retired from the Buchanan County R-IV School District after 28 years of teaching. Ms Anderson comes from a family of 15 children.
2ND GRADE
MRS. JOLEEN ABERER
Mrs. Aberer is the wife of Michael and mother of seven, who have all graduated from St. James. She has ten grandchildren (so far), the oldest are also enrolled in our school. She graduated from Missouri Western with a degree in Elementary Education in 1994. She has previously taught 1st grade and middle school Science and English as well as years of substitute teaching when needed.
3RD / 4TH GRADE
MRS. RACHEL COTTER
Mrs. Rachel Cotter graduated from Central Missouri State University (now known as the University of Central Missouri) with a degree in Elementary Education and a degree in Early Childhood Education. She received her Masters in Education through Baker University. She has taught 1st grade, 2nd grade, a 2/3 combination, a 3/4 combination, 4th grade, and 6th grade in her teaching career. She and her husband, Bill, have four children: Jonah, Matthew, Hannah, and Moira. Moira is a middle schooler at Saint James.
5TH GRADE
MS STEPHANIE FINDER
Ms. Finder grew up in Southwest Missouri in a family of six. She has a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Missouri and a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Benedictine College. This is her 5th year teaching Elementary. Prior to teaching, Ms. Finder was in the Army and spent several years living on the East Coast. She is enjoying teaching at St. James and getting to know the community.
SPECIALS
RELIGION
SISTER MARY MAXIMILIAN, CK
Sister Mary Maximilian is a School Sister of Christ the King from Lincoln, NE (www.cksisters.org). She wanted to be a Sister and a teacher since 2nd grade, just like her 2nd grade teacher. She entered the community in 2001 and has been teaching for 15+ years, primarily in 2nd grade. She currently teaches 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade religion here at St. James and works as a catechist in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium. She was one of the original 3 Sisters to first come to St James in 2005 when she was studying at Benedictine College and she is thrilled to be able to share the treasures of our faith with His little ones.
MUSIC
MRS. PEGGY ENGLISH
I graduated from Loretto Academy High School in El Paso TX. I’m a Vietnam Era Veteran of USAF as a Weapons Control Systems Mechanic of the F-4E. I received a Bachelors in Music Education from Tulsa University, with my Oklahoma License to teach K-8 Vocal/Instrumental Music. Years later I received an ADN/RN degree from Miami/ Dade College, Miami, FL. I have worked for many years as a classroom music teacher in public and private schools, and nursed many years in med-surg and as RN supervisor in a large nursing home/rehab center.
