Meet Our Staff

I grew up in southeastern Wisconsin and was named after a priest, Fr. Stephen Peil, my mom’s uncle. Raised with six sisters and brothers by my late parents, Eugene and Margery, I attended Catholic grade and high school, then the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. I studied Business, and then Biology. I additionally studied Pre Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville and attended Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. Finally, I was ordained a priest by Bishop Robert Finn on June 3rd, 2006. Prior to being named pastor of Coronation of Our Lady, I was a transitional deacon at St. Andrew the Apostle in Gladstone and pastor of Immaculate Conception in Lexington.

To start, my name is Rebecca (Becky) Evans and I am originally from Leavenworth, Kansas. I earned my BA in English and MA in Teaching from the University of Saint Mary. I earned my Ed.S in Administration from Arkansas State University and am currently pursuing my PhD. It was at the University of Saint Mary that I was made fully aware of the power of Catholic education. The Sisters of Charity are truly inspiring. They encouraged me right away to become a teacher. I am forever grateful for their guidance. I quickly realized that educators hold enormous influence in the ability to shape the lives of our children.

Therefore, I began my education career eleven years ago serving in multiple capacities both in the junior high and high school setting. I taught for seven years as a middle school English and journalism teacher on the grounds of Ft. Leavenworth at Patton Jr. High School. I taught three years as a high school English and journalism teacher at Pleasant Ridge High School in Easton, KS and one year at Benton High School. In addition, I instructed English and education courses at Barton Community College, Highland Community College and Benedictine College. I began my career as principal at St. James School this last school year. I have truly enjoyed this role and look forward to making a positive impact in the Cathedral community.

On a personal note, my husband Michael and I are blessed with three beautiful children, two of whom attend Cathedral. Lucy is in first grade, Oliver is in Pre-K, and Augie is two years old. Michael is the Athletic Director and baseball coach at Bishop LeBlond High School. Together, we have a strong commitment to Catholic education throughout the entire St. Joseph community.

Degree: Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Legal Studies, Minor in Spanish in 2013

Graduate Of: Missouri Western State University.

Work Experience: After college, I began working as a direct care worker at the Noyes Home here in St Joseph.  After one year, I became a Legal Assistant at Brage & Bolander, P.C.   After three years, I decided that working with children was my true passion. This will be my second year as Cathedral's Administrative Assistant and I absolutely love what I do!

Family: I am a newlywed to my amazing husband, Adam! We have two fur babies that we adore.  My parents are retired and are living the dream by traveling all over the country.  I have one brother, and he and his wife are expecting their first child in February 2018.

Degree:  Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and Social Studies. Graduate of Benedictine College, Atchison, KS

Teaching Experience:  This is my first year of teaching!

Family: I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where I attended a Catholic High School.  The continued pursuit to play the game of baseball drew me to Benedictine where I earned a scholarship to play the game I love so much.  While at Benedictine, God laid out a path for me which has led me to become an educator.  In addition to teaching, my passion for baseball still exists.  I now coach at Mauer Hill Mount Academy in Atchison. KS.

Personal Statement: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts."  Winston Churchill

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Graduate Of: Missouri Western State University

Teaching Experience:  This is my 27th year of teaching at Cathedral: Kindergarten – 4 years, 3rd Grade – 8 years, 4th Grade – 15 years

Family: Married to Jim, two daughters, Jamie and Jackie, and four grandsons, Treyton, Andrew, Luke and James. Jamie is married to Nathan Shada.

Personal Statement: It is my ultimate desire to help students meet their fullest potential by providing a safe and enriched environment, giving students opportunity for discovery, inviting a sharing of ideas, and promoting respect for all people and things.

Degree: Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Elementary Education

Graduate of: College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota

Teaching Experience: Grades 2 and 3 at St. Timothy’s in Maple Lake, MN, for 8 years; Grade 3 at St. Patrick’s in Perry, IA, for 1 year; Grade 2 at St. Anne’s in Stoughton, WI, for 1 year; and Kindergarten, Grades 1, 3, and 5 at Cathedral School for 15 years.

Family: My husband, Jon, and I have four children, Moriah, Nicholas, Ashley, and Christopher.

Personal Statement: I enjoy watching the children grow both spiritually and academically. It is truly a pleasure to be part of the Cathedral School where “Faith and Friendship Rule”.

Degree: BA in English with a minor in Psychology and MA in Education

Graduate Of: Truman State University

Experience: Two years as the Director of Vincentian Marian Youth, a Catholic nonprofit that devotes itself to serving teens and fostering their growth through serving the poor around the country.

Degree:  Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Graduate of:  Southwest Missouri State University (1997); Bishop    LeBlond High School (1992); Cathedral School (1988)

Teaching Experience:  This is my 21st year teaching.  I taught for two years in St. Louis, MO (6th and 7th Grade) before coming “home” to Cathedral.  My 19 years at Cathedral have been in Preschool and First Grade and Second Grade. 

Family: I am married to Craig Mattox.  We have four children who have attended Cathedral School.  Two are now attending Bishop LeBlond High School. Our daughter, Riley, is in 11th Grade, Reese is in 10th Grade, Rorey is in 7th Grade, and our son, Ryder, is in 4th Grade.

Personal Statement:  As an educator, it is my privilege to be able to touch, in a small way, the lives of my students.  I feel blessed to be a part of Cathedral School where we are, first and foremost, a faith-based school, and where there is a strong tradition of academic excellence. 

Degree:  I am currently completing a Bachelor of arts degree in Education, Interdisciplinary studies.

Graduate of: Central High school (1987).

Teaching Experience: This will be my second year as the 7th grade homeroom teacher here at Cathedral. Prior to teaching at Cathedral, I taught the Creative Writing elective class here at Cathedral and also was a substitute teacher.  I started coaching youth sports 16 years ago.  I have coached baseball, basketball, soccer and football.

Family:  Tracy and I have been married for 28 years. We have four sons who have all attended Cathedral.. Jordan is 23 and currently serving our country in Kuwait as a member of the Missouri Army National Guard. He is expected to return in April of 2018. Collin will turn 22 during his deployment to the Middle East in October of 2017 as a member of the Kansas Air National Guard. His deployment will be much shorter and after his return in December, he will return to classes at Kansas State University. Jacob is 19 and is attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Cole is 8 and is in the 3rd grade here at Cathedral. Jordan, Collin and Jacob all graduated from Bishop LeBlond High School.

Personal Statement: Coaching and working with young people has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I decided to take a leap-of-faith and put my enthusiasm, energy and life experiences to work in the classroom.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, Master of Education/ Teacher Leadership

Graduate of: Missouri Western State College; Benedictine College

Teaching Experience: This is my 21st year of teaching with 20 of those in Catholic Schools.  I have taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th and 5th.

Family: My husband, Joe, and I have been married for 34 years.  We have two sons, Courtney and Cody, and two daughters-in-law, Katie & Jamie, and an adorable 3 year old grandson, Andrew.  We are very excited that Andrew will be a big brother in February 2018!

Personal Statement: I am excited to be back “home” at Cathedral, the parish I grew up in and graduated from.  I am looking forward to be a part of a school community where “Faith and Friendship Rule!”

Degree:  Physical Education

Graduate of:  Bishop Leblond High School 2008; Northwest Missouri State University 2014

Teaching Experience: Student teaching at Central High school and Lindberg Elementary School.  South Holt School ½ year, Lake Contrary Elementary School 1 year.  This is my third year coaching basketball at Bishop Leblond High School.  I teach PreK through 8thgrade PE at Cathedral.

Family:  My parents are Shelly and Scott Shoeneck and I have a younger brother, Brooks.

Personal Statement:  Teaching at Cathedral has been great.  I love having an impact on so many children.  In my class the kids get an opportunity to learn while being active and having fun with their friends.

Mrs. Melissa Pfister Cafeteria Assistant

Degree: Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Music and Communication 

Graduate of:  Willam Jewell College, 1992

Experience:  Twenty years of teaching through my private studio, specializing in piano, voice and flute,  Thirty years of experience as an accompanist for area choirs and soloists.  Served as the Executive Director to the Saint Joseph Symphony Orchestra and Entertainment Chair of the Trails West! Festival held annually in St. Joseph. I have served as Vice President to the St. Joseph Allied Arts Council, President of the Missouri Western State University Fine Arts Society, and was appointed by former Governor Mel Carnahan as a board member to the Missouri Arts Council. In 2007, I had the honor of opening for Taylor Swift when she performed at the annual Trails West! festival.

Family: My husband, Todd, and I have two children, Carson, a Senior at Bishop LeBlond, and Sofia, a Cathedral 8th grader.

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Graduate Of: Missouri Western State University 1982

Teaching Experience: 22 years

Family: I am married to Terry Supple and we have three children.  Andy is married to Erica and lives in Kirksville with their daughter, Frannie and twin sons, Anson and Evan.  Lauren is married to Travis Unzicker and lives in St. Joseph with their sons, Alva and Guy.  Kristen, our youngest, is the Director at Cathedral Early Childhood Center.

Personal Statement: A Catholic school is a place where academic education is intertwined with religious education. High standards, high expectations, faith, and friendship are all reasons why I choose to teach at Cathedral School.

Degree:  Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

Graduate of:  Southwest Missouri State University (Missouri State University) 2004, Bishop LeBlond High School, 2000, and Cathedral School, 1996.

Teaching Experience: I taught Kindergarten here at Cathedral, along with Mrs. Supple, from 2006-2007.  I then taught in the Saint Joseph School District from 2007-2013.  I taught 2nd Grade at Humboldt Elementary for three years, and 1st Grade at Pershing Elementary for two years.  This is my fifth year teaching 1st grade at Cathedral.

Family: I am married to a wonderful man, Matt Tabor, who is an Account Manager at Hillyard and assistant football coach at Lafayette.  We have three of the most adorable, crazy little boys!  My oldest son, Cooper, who is 9 ½, is in the 4th Grade here at Cathedral this year.  I have a 7 ½ year old, Quinn, who attends 2nd Grade here, and my sweet baby boy, Henry, who is 4 years old, attends Cathedral's Preschool in the ECC.  They are so much fun and keep me on my toes at all times.  I love them so much and am so thrilled and blessed to be able to work so close to them all!

Personal Statement: I have found a passion and love for teaching young children, especially in a place where faith is at the heart of everything we do!

Degree:  BA in Early Childhood Education (P-6), MA in School Leadership, and Superintendent Specialist Degree from Northwest Missouri State University.  

Experience:  She has experience as a special education teacher, classroom teacher, title 1 Reading teacher, Federal Programs Coordinator, Principal, and Superintendent.