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.

Mrs. Martin, who has been the Principal at St. James School in St. Joseph, will be our Interim Principal for the 2020-2021 school year.  She has a deep faith, many years of experience, has been part of the St. Joseph School planning process, and brings with her a great love for the students under her care.

Ms. Lujan has a son who is in the 6th grade.

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

Teaching Experience:  This is my second 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 29th year of teaching at Cathedral: Kindergarten – 4 years, 3rd Grade – 8 years, 4th Grade – 17 years

Family: Married to Jim, two daughters, Jamie and Jackie, four grandsons, Treyton, Andrew, Luke and James, and one granddaughter, Grace. 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 of Arts Degree in Elementary Education

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

Teaching Experience: This is my 29th year teaching in Catholic Schools.  I have taught in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri.  This will be my 18th year teaching at Cathedral. 

Family: My husband, Jon, and I have four children, Moriah (28) is married to Alex Phillips and is a chiropractor at Green Family Chiropractic. Nicholas (25) is currently attending Northwestern Health Scieces Univjersity College of Chiropractic in Bloomington, MN.  Ashley (17) who is a Senior at LeBlond, and Christopher (15) is a Sophomore at LeBlond.

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: Master of Arts in Education, Secondary English

Graduate Of: Truman State University; Ste. Genevieve High School

Work Experience: After attaining my Master's Degree, I took time to work for a Catholic international youth organization called Vincentian Marian Youth.  While the Director of the Southeast Missouri region, I organized mission trips, retreats, Masses, and days of service for middle and high school teens.  After spending two years with the organization, I decided I wanted to be where the teens were and headed back to the classroom.  This will be my second year here at Cathedral and I am thrilled to be a part of this family.

Family:  I am married to Jeremiah who is a youth minister at St. Thomas More in Kansas City. We have one son, Malachi, who will be turning 1 on January 12th! Along with my immediate family, my mom and dad are back in my hometown and I have two sisters, one of whom has 5 kids that I adore, and one who is a nun at the Poor Clare Monastery in St. Louis.

Personal Statement: "Live simply, and simply love God."

Degree:  Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Graduate of: Missouri State University, Springfield, MO (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 (2nd and 7th Grade) before coming “home” to Cathedral.  My 19 years at Cathedral have been in Preschool, First Grade, and Second Grade. 

Family: I am married to Craig Mattox.  We have four children who have all attended Catholic Schools.  Our daughter, Riley, is a Freshman at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO.  Reese is a Senior at LeBlond, Rorey is a Freshman at LeBlond, and our son, Ryder, is in 6th grade here at Cathedral.

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:  Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) 2019 WGU

Graduate of: Central High school (1987).

Teaching Experience: This will be my fourth year at Cathedral and my second year as the 5th grade teacher.  I have taught a Creative Writing class two years prior to that and have done some substitute teaching as well.  I started coaching youth in 2000 and have enjoyed working with kids in baseball, basketball, and football. 

Family:  Tracy and I have been married for 30 years. We have four sons who have all attended Cathedral.. Jordan is 25 and currently serving our country  as a member of the Missouri Army National Guard. Collin will turn 24 in October of 2019, attends Kansas State University, and is a member of the Kansas Air National Guard. This year, Collin will be on his third deployment overseas.  Jacob is 21 and is attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Cole is 10 and is in the 5th 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 23rd year of teaching with 19 of those in Catholic Schools.  I have taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd. 4th, and 5th.

Family: My husband, Joe, and I have been married for 36 years.  We have two sons, Courtney and Cody, and two daughters-in-law, Katie & Jamie, and 3 adorable grandchildren:  Andrew, Patrick, and Mia.  

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!”

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Professional Certification:  Lifetime certification in Grades K-12 vocal music, guidance/counseling, and psychological and acaademic testing.                    

Experience:  Many years of teaching experience, including teaching at St. Francis Xavier School last semester.

Degree:  Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

Graduate of:  Graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO  

Teaching Experience: I have been a teacher at Cathedral ECC since April 2011.  I am so excited about my position as the PreKindergarten teacher and am really looking forward to a positive and fun-filled year of learning.

Family:  I am married to Grant Bachali and we have eight children!  Austin (20, MWSU), Rachel (18, NWMSU), and Max (12), Jackson (11), Isabelle (9), Grace (7), and Gwen (3) all at Cathedral.

Personal Statement:  I feel so blessed to be a teacher at Cathedral.  I truly believe in the education of young children and promise to do my personal best to provide a positive, loving environment for each and every child and family on a daily basis. 

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Graduate Of: Missouri Western State University 1982

Teaching Experience: 23 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, lives in St. Joseph.

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 seventh year teaching 1st grade at Cathedral School.

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 11 ½, is in the 6th Grade here at Cathedral this year.  I have a 9 ½ year old, Quinn, who attends 4th Grade here, and my sweet baby boy, Henry, who is 6 years old, is starting Kindergarten this year.  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!

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