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.

Degrees:  BA in English, Secondary Education; MA in Curriculum and Instruction; Ed.S in Administration

Graduate of: Pleasant Ridge High School (2003); University of Saint Mary (2007; 2011); Arkansas State University (2018)

Teaching Experience:  This is my 13th year as an educator.  I taught middle school and high school English and Journalism for ten years and am beginning my third year as a principal.

Family: My husband, Michael, and I have three beautiful children.  Lucy is a third grader, Oliver is in first grade, and Augie is three years old.

Personal Statement: We educators hold enormous power in the ability to shape the lives of our children.  I am committed to working tirelessly for the Cathedral family to promote Catholic community and ensure continued quality educatiaonal experiences for our children.  I firmly believe in faith, family and fellowship and am excited about what is to come this year at Cathedral!

Degree: Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice/Emphasis in Legal Studies; Minor in Spanish

Graduate Of: Missouri Western State University, 2013; St. Joseph Christian High School, 2009

Work Experience: After college, I began working as a direct care worker at the Noyes Home here in St Joseph. I worked there for a year, then was offered a Legal Assistant position at Brage and Bolander, P.C.  I worked for them for almost 3 years before I decided that working with children was my true passion.  This will be my fourth year as Cathedral's Administrative Assistant and I absolutely love what I do!

Family: I am married to Adam and we are expecting our first child, a little girl, in December!  We also have one ornery cat. :-)  My parents are retired and are living the dream by traveling all over the country.  I have one brother, who is married and they welcomed my first niece, Emma, on Valentine's Day 2018.

Personal Statement: "Have big dreams . . . you will grow into them."

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!”

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 fourth year coaching basketball at Bishop LeBlond High School.  I teach PreK through 8th grade 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 of their days.  In my class, the kids get an opportunity to learn while being active and having fun with their friends.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts Degree - Communication/Music 

Graduate of:  Willam Jewell College, 1992

Experience:  This is my third year teaching music and theater here at Cathedral School.  I have twenty-six years of teaching experience in working with students in piano, voice, and flute for more than thirty years.  I have been an accompanist for area choirs and soloists.

I have volunteered and served our community as the Executive Director to the Saint Joseph Symphony Orchestra, Entertainment Chair of the Trails West! Festival held annually in St. Joseph.  I have also 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.

In addition to teaching at Cathedral, I am also the Director of Music Worship at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in St. Joseph.

Family: My husband, Todd, and I have been married for 25 years.  We were blessed with two children, Carson, a Sophomore at MIZZOU, and Sofia, a Sophomore at Bishop LeBlond High School.

Personal Statement:  "Music can change the world, because it can change people." - Bono, U2                                "You must be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi                                                                                  "All music comes from God." - Johnny Cash

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!

DegreePe

: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - Early Childhood Minor                                                                                  Master's Degree in Administration                                                                                                                                          Specialist in Education Degree in Superintendency                                                                                                                Certification in Special Education K-12

Graduate of:  Northwest Missouri State University

Teaching Experience:  This is my 31st year in education and my second year teaching in a Catholic School.  I was in the Missouri Public School system for 24 years.  During that time, I served as an Elementary Teacher, K-12 Special Education Teacher, Elementary Principal, Superitendent and Special Education Director.  Upon retirement from Missouri Public School System, my family moved to Colorado where my husband accepted a Superintendent position, and I returned to the classroom.  There, I taught Special Education at the High School level and also co-taught High School English and Physics.

Family: Stephen and I have been married for 11 years.  He is a retired adinistrator as well. We have one daughter, Lilly, who is in the 5th grade here at Cathedral.  I also have two grown children - Hannah, who lives in Mobile, Alabama, annd a son, Noah, who lives in St. Joseph.

Perrsonal Statement: Not growing up as a "cradle Catholic" has been a challenge at times.  My husband and I converted eleven years ago and wanted to raise our daughter, Lilly, Catholic.  The Catholic school environment has been a great experience for our family.  Having taught various grade levels and being an administrator, teaching is where I am the happiest and feel I can make a difference and help prepare our students for real-life experiences.  Having taught in very affluent school districts as well as disadvantaged school with the majority being minorities.  I have found that no matter the age, sex, race or financial status, all students want and need the same things:  to be loved, respected, treated fairly, and know that someone believes in them.  How lucky I am to be teaching at Cathedral and striving to show these qualities to each and every one of our students.