Our Teachers

What I like most about teaching Kindergarten is that the children tell it like it is. Often what they say is very funny! I love the fact that St. Matthew’s is a multi-cultural school and I love being able to share my belief in God and Jesus with the children that I teach. It is my goal to make learning fun for my students while I meet their individual needs. I want them to be so excited about learning that they can’t wait to come back the next day. Learning in Kindergarten is very multi-sensory or hands-on. We grow a garden in the spring and raise butterflies. We have a classroom pet name Guin whom the kids love. We sing a lot and learn many cheers to celebrate our successes! We also go on field trips like to the fire station, the Science Museum and the Minnesota Zoo. Mr. Osborne’s incredible teaching is a wonderful addition to our classroom!

I firmly believe that when children enter the early years of school it is important that they start with a strong foundation. Using humor, music and their surrounding environment, students build and develop their own knowledge and learning styles. This will help each student become learners of the future.

Music Specialist

Music is a very important part of a child’s life and is a fun and dynamic way to help them learn. Music is one of the best ways that we can learn about other people. By learning about another culture's music, students develop an appreciation of others. Rhythms, sounds, songs of faith, patriotic songs, plus other musical concepts are all ways that help to enrich a child’s sense of the world around him or her.

I really love working with children. Their enthusiasm for life, excitement for learning and their ability to change and grow on a continuous basis makes for a challenging, and rewarding job. I believe that every child has the potential to succeed.

This is my third year teaching at St. Matthew’s. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Morris, I worked for two years in the White Bear Lake school district teaching second and third grade. During the following two years I lived in Paraguay, working with elementary school teachers as a Peace Corp volunteer. I grew up on the West Side and have been a member of St. Matthew’s Church all my life. It has been a great experience for me to come back and work with the children of this community.

I have been at St. Matthew’s for over 30 years. During this time I have taught in grades three through eight and was principal for two years. I enjoy reuniting with former students as they register their children at St. Matthew’s.

My primary goal in teaching is to meet the needs of our children. They are eager to learn. I also have a strong belief that it’s important for children to spend time with elders. For the past 8 years, I have taken my students to weekly visits at Cerenity (formerly Wilder) nursing home across the street. We play bingo, do crafts, share music and in the process enrich the experience of the students and the lives of the elders.

St. Matthew’s is a wonderful place with a unique opportunity of mixing the Catholic religion with a widely diverse community. Students learn in many different ways, whether it is in a lecture format, a hands-on experience or just reading a book. My goal is to reach all these types of learners. I love teaching and try to make my lessons a fun experience.

I try to make my classroom as relevant to life as possible with a variety of methods through which students can express their understanding of the core subjects. I also have a strong background in fine arts and strive to integrate music, movement, theater and creative writing into all areas of the curriculum. My greatest strength is that I am an avid learner and am always searching for ways to be a better educator.

I am proud to be part of this welcoming and generous community of St. Matthew’s School. Our goal is to equip the students with the skills to promote the respect of human dignity of each person day to day. This is done in numerous ways through mass, lectures, projects, hands-on activities and the example of adults around them.

Technology Teacher

Technology class consists of developing several skills. The school has a mobile computer lab containing MacBooks and the computer lab is equipped with iMac computers and laser jet printers. The students engage in activities using Microsoft Word and Internet. They are familiar with Excel Spreadsheets and developing charts. Students work to improve their keyboarding techniques. Middle School students complete several electronic multimedia Power Point presentations and reports throughout the year.

As the Middle School Language Arts teacher, I feel that is my responsibility to make sure that our students can enter high school on a level that is at or above what is expected in a ninth grade classroom setting. I make it my goal to challenge our students in reading, writing and communication. I use many different methods such as lecture, note taking, reading circles and individual reading to reach all of the students. Communication is also very important to me. I feel that keeping the lines of communication open with everyone involved will better the education of a child.

I teach middle school math and science. I love math. It has always been my favorite subject and I think math is one of the most important subjects a student needs. I don’t think a day goes by that you don’t use math. Without math, science would be a complete mess. So, I basically get to teach my favorite subject twice a day!

St. Matthew’s views on values and social responsibility fit closely with my own ideas about community. I believe students learn by doing. Our classroom is an active classroom. Students are encouraged to be involved with peers, the community and other cultures.

Spanish Teacher

I have traveled throughout Mexico, Central and South America and am always seeking to extend my knowledge of the language. The St. Matthew’s community gives me the opportunity to do this. I believe a second language is an essential part of a student’s education in an increasingly global society.

The physical development of all students is incredibly important. Learning how to lead a healthy lifestyle through good eating and exercise habits is vital for everyone.

This is my fifth year teaching Art at St. Matthew’s School. Art is an area that allows all children to succeed and build self-confidence. Students will be able to use the knowledge and expressiveness resulting from art education experiences in all areas of their lives.