We are a parish family; we are a school family. Saint James offers a student to teacher 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.
PASTOR
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
MR. RYAN MCDONNELL, MACL
Mr. McDonnell received his Master of Arts in Classical Leadership from Benedictine. This is his second year at Saint James!
- Birthday: May 14
- Favorite book: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight or Beowulf
- Drink order: Cold coffee with simple sryup and milk
- Favorite color: Navy Blue and Gold
- Favorite sports team: no favorite team, but enjoys sports overall
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: rock climbing, reading to his kids, or learning new things
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: "I am new, but I hear we serve Jumbalaya!"
- Favorite thing about Saint James: the community and the fact we have 2 priests and 4 sisters!
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
MRS. KATELYN HELSEL
Mrs. Helsel is a multi-generational graduate of Saint James School! She has four boys: two are Saint James alums, and two are still students. She attended University of Central Missouri for two years. This is her 7th year as the secretary here at Saint James.
- Birthday: March 18
- Drink order: latte with oat milk or unsweetened iced tea
- Favorite color: PINK!
- Favorite sports team: Chiefs or any team that her kids play on
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: Black bean salsa
- Favorite thing about Saint James: "getting to know each one of our amazing students and their families. We have the best people at Saint James, and the kids are so much fun. Plus, I get to see my own kids everyday! :)"
COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
MELISSA COX
Mrs. Cox earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in Technical Communication from Missouri Western State University in 1007. She also owns a successful photography business.
- Birthday: April 19
- Favorite book: Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
- Drink oder: ice water or green tea with blackberry
- Favorite color: blue
- Favorite sports team: Kansas City Royals
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: watercolor paint
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: black bean salsa!
- Favorite thing about Saint James: We truly are one big family!
Preschool
Check out our 3 to 5 year-old preschool program.
Contact us to inquire about multi-day options.
LEAD PRESCHOOL TEACHER
MRS. CHRISTINA GREEN
Mrs. Green has six children, four of whom are graduates of Saint James, and two are current students.
- Number of years in Education: 5
- Birthday: February 28
- Favorite color: Green lol
- Favorite sports team: Chiefs!
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: Pizza day!
- Favorite thing about Saint James: The family atmosphere and her coworkers
PRESCHOOL AIDE
MRS. JENNY PETROVICK
Elementary
K – 5th
KINDERGARTEN
MS BRANDY FLORES
Ms Flores graduated from Missouri Western State University with a degree in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. Ms Flores has two children, both graduates of Saint James!
- Number of years in Education: 25
- Birthday: October 1
- Favorite book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- Drink order: Diet Coke
- Favorite color: PURPLE
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Spending time with her kids and her mom
- Favorite sports team: KC Chiefs/ LeBlond Eagles
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: Sub sandwiches
- Favorite thing about Saint James: The students!
1ST GRADE
MS CAROL ANDERSON
Ms Anderson earned her degree in Elementary Education from Missouri Western State University and a master’s degree in Reading from Northwest Missouri State University. She comes from a family of 15 children!
- Numer of years in Education: 33
- Birthday: December 12
- Favorite book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
- Drink order: Unsweet ice tea
- Favorite color: Pink
- Favorite sports team: Chiefs
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Shopping
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: Chili and cinnamon rolls
- Favorite thing about Saint James: that we are a family!
2ND GRADE
MRS. MEGAN TRAUTMAN
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- Number of years in Education:
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3RD GRADE
MRS. RACHEL COTTER
Mrs. Cotter graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a degree in Early Childhood Education. She received her master's in Education from Baker University. She has four children, and her youngest is a current middle schooler at Saint James!
- Number of years in Education: 19
- Birthday: August 9
- Favorite book: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
- Drink order: Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar
- Favorite color: Purple
- Favorite sports team: KC Chiefs
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Traveling to places with palm trees
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: Turkey and Gravy with Mashed Potatoes
- Favorite thing about Saint James:The family atmosphere
4TH GRADE
MS THÉRÈSE TEMKKIT
Ms Temkkit is currently a senior at Benedictine College, studying Theology and Journalism. She was homeschooled through Seton Home Study School, and this is her second year teaching.
- Birthday: March 31st
- Favorite book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Drink order: Hot: vanilla and cinnamon latte from any local coffee shop Cold: strawberry mango water from sonic
- Favorite color: Green!
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Working on puzzles!
- Favorite thing about Saint James: the students and friendly community
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.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
6th – 8th
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE / HISTORY
MS MARY ELLEN RAYMO
Ms Raymo received a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Benedictine College. She is also currently pursuing her master's in Classical Education!
- Birthday: January 1
- Favorite book: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne - "It's been that way since second grade."
- Drink order: any flavor of Coca Cola, no ice
- Favorite color: dark red or olive green
- Favorite sports team: " The closest thing I have to a sports team is cheering on the Union Army when I watch Civil War documentaries."
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: gardening, mushroom photography, and watching her fish tanks
- Favorite thing about Saint James: the sense of community, that the staff are eager to help each other out, and the students are absolute gems
SPECIALS
MIDDLE SCHOOL BIBLICAL STUDIES & THEOLOGY
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / ART
MR. ZACHARY LULOFF
- Number of years of Education: 4
- Favorite book: “The Father’s Tale” by Michael O’Brien
- Drink order: Good coffee, sour or dark beer, Olipop, or Laphroaig Lore
- Favorite color: the green of a forest in summer
- Favorite sports team: Packers
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: indoor rock climbing, read, take in good stories, play games with friends
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: turkey dinner
- Favorite thing about Saint James: when our students get excited about a subject
Mrs. VanderBol received her Bachelor of Arts from Benedictine College.
- Number of years in Education:This is my first year teaching!
- Birthday: March 1
- Favorite book: the Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini
- Drink order: Creme Cold Brew
- Favorite color: Purple
- Favorite sports team: I only attend sporting events to cheer on the marching band (especially the drum line and any dancing sousas!).
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Reading
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: Deli Sandwiches with Mrs. Williams' homemade bread
- Favorite thing about Saint James: Saint James has a beautiful community. It’s a pleasure to meet each member and teach these wonderful kiddos.
SCHOOL NUTRITION COORDINATOR / LIBRARIAN
MRS. KATIE WILLIAMS
Mrs. Williams holds a degree in Health Information Technology. She has two children currently attending Saint James and three who have graduated.
- This is her 6th year as the kitchen manager
- Alma Mater: Missouri Western State University
- Birthday: July 14
- Favorite book: the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
- Drink order: Coffee and Dr. Pepper
- Favorite color: Green
- Favorite sports team: "I'm more interested in the snacks."
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Reading
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: grilled cheese and tomato soup
- Favorite thing about Saint James: the family atmosphere
SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSISTANT
MRS. JESSICA FISHER
Mrs. Fisher has six children currently attending Saint James.
- Birthday: June 30
- Favorite book: any mystery book
- Favorite sports team: "Raiders, but only when the Chiefs play them!"
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Reading and camping
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: bean burritos
- Favorite thing about Saint James: the family atmosphere