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
MR. RYAN MCDONELL, MACL
Mr. McDonell received his Master of Arts in Classical Leadership from Benedictine. This is his first year at Saint James, and we are so excited to have him!
- 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!
SECRETARY
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 6th 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! :)"
WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, PHOTOGRAPHER
MRS. MELISSA COX
Melissa manages the online and social media presence for both the Church and the School.
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. JOLEEN ABERER
Mrs. Aberer received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Missouri Western State University. She has seven children, all of whom are Saint James alumni! Several of her grandchildren now attend Saint James as well.
- Number of years in Education: 6
- Birthday: February 14
- Favorite book: "The most impactful book I’ve ever read is Left to Tell by Imaculee Ilibagiza"
- Drink oder: Dunkin hazelnut coffee or Sonic unsweetened tea with sugar free mango flavoring
- Favorite color: Green
- Favorite sports team: Chiefs, AFTER the LB Eagles
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Playing word game like Scrabble and Bananagrams
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: anything that is served with cinnamon rolls
- Favorite thing about Saint James: "It’s like my big family!"
3RD / 4TH 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
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.
TEACHER'S AIDE / SUPPLEMENTAL LEARNING
MRS. THERESA ZAWODNY-WALKUP
Mrs. Walkup graduated from Missouri Western State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. She is also certified in First Aid and is fluent in Spanish. She and all three of her children are Saint James School alums!
- Number of years in Education: 12
- Birthday: January 21
- Drink order: Coffee
- Favorite book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
- Favorite color: Blue
- Favorite sports team: St. Louis Cardinals
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Walking and reading
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: Spaghetti
- Favorite thing about Saint James: Saint James' community is like one big happy family, and she's happy to give back to that 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! This is her first year teaching!
- 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
RELIGION
SISTER MARY MAXIMILIAN, CK
Sister Mary Maximilian is a School Sister of Christ the King from Lincoln, NE. She entered the community in 2001. She had wanted to be a Sister and a teacher since 2nd grade, inspired by her own 2nd grade teacher. She currently teaches elementary religion here at Saint James, and also serves as a catechist in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium. Sister Mary Maximilian was one of the original three Sisters to come to Saint James in 2005, while studying for her Bachelor's degree in Education at Benedictine College. She is thrilled to share the treasures of our Catholic faith with His little ones.
- Number of years in Education: 18
- Feast Day: August 14
- Favorite book: Mary's Knight: The Mission and Martyrdom of Saint Maksymilian Maria Kolbe by Claude R. Foster
- Favorite hot or cold drink: Fruit Smoothies
- Favorite color: Blue - any shade
- Favorite sports team: Cardinals
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: Praying
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: Chili and Cinnamon rolls
- Favorite thing about Saint James: The children!
MUSIC
MRS. PEGGY ENGLISH
Mrs. English received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Tulsa. She taught for many years in both public and private school settings before deciding to obtain a Nursing degree from Miami Dade College. She worked as a med-surg nurse and RN supervisor in a large nursing home/rehab center before deciding to return to the classroom.
- Number of years of Education: 40
- Birthday: August 4
- Favorite book: Father Elijah by Michael D O’Brien
- Drink order: unsweet iced tea
- Favorite color: Purple
- Favorite sports team: Chiefs
- Favorite thing to do for leisure: singing with Vocal Standard Chorus of Kansas City
- Favorite Saint James school lunch: Chicken nuggets
- Favorite thing about Saint James: the students!
SCHOOL NUTRITION COORDINATOR
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