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.

Degree: 

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

Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University (2022)

Graduate of: Central High school (1987)

Family:  Tracy and I have been married for 30 years. We have four sons who have all attended Cathedral.

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 Science in Elementary Education

Graduate of: 

Missouri State University, Springfield, MO (1997)

Bishop LeBlond High School (1992)

Cathedral School (1988)

Joined Cathedral: 1999

My Joy: Spending time with my family brings me joy.

My Favorite Cathedral Tradition: The Living Stations of the Cross

Favorite Spot on Campus: The garden by the outdoor classroom

My Motto: "Peace begins with a smile." Saint Mother Teresa

Book  Recommended for Students: Read anything you love!

What I love About About Cathedral: I love the family atmosphere and strong sense of tradition.

Best Teaching Moment: All of the moments when the "light bulb" goes off

Degree:  A.A.S. Health Information Technology

Joined Cathedral: 2020

My Joy: My son is my pride and joy. He makes me laugh with his sense of humor multiple times a day.

My Favorite Cathedral Tradition: May Crowning Mass is my favorite tradition at Cathedral. It's a beautiful way to honor Mary with the second and eighth graders.

Favorite Spot on Campus: The garden area between the outdoor classroom and the library. It's beautiful spot to take a moment and feel peaceful in it's presence.

My Motto: Work first, then play.

What I love About About Cathedral: Our sense of community. We are one big family.

Best Teaching Moment: As a class was passing me in the hallway, one student said, "You take care of use when we get hurt so you get hugs." The whole class then proceeded to give me hugs!

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Graduate Of: Missouri Western State University, 1982

Joined Cathedral: We joined Cathedral parish in 1991 and have been proud members ever since. I started teaching kindergarten at Cathedral shortly after that.

My Joy: Spending time with my family and grandkids!

My favorite Cathedral Tradition: I love the first week of school, meeting all the new students I’ll spend the year with.

Favorite Spot on Campus: I love the picnic table on the lower playground because the rest of the class has fun playing while I have quality time listening to students read one on one.

My Motto: Work hard and be nice!

Best Teaching Moment: I love the moment when a student sees that they’re able to read.

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 Elementary Education

Graduate of:  Missouri Western State University

Joined Cathedral: 2022

My Joy: My joy is to be with my friends and family, to read and to cross stitch, and to come to deeper encounters with my Catholic faith!

My Favorite Cathedral Tradition: All School Mass on Fridays!

Favorite Spot on Campus: The outdoor classroom is my favorite spot!

My Motto: And if not, He is still good. Daniel 3:18.

Book  Recommended for Students: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Katie DiCamillo

What I love About About Cathedral: I love Cathedral because of the community that is present at every Mass, in every classroom, and in every staff meeting. We are all a team working together towards a common goal- to serve each other, to serve our children and families, and to ultimately serve God.

Best Teaching Moment: My best teaching moments happen when my students are so enthralled in our Religion lessons, which leads them to ask deep questions. They desire to know God more and to love Him more, and to know and serve His Church!

Degree:  Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

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

Joined Cathedral: I have been a member of the Cathedral Parish my entire life. I have been a teacher at Cathedral since 2011.

My Joy: Watching people do the right thing, even when no one is looking, brings me JOY!

My Favorite Cathedral Tradition: Alumni Mass, Cathedral School Book of Prayer

Favorite Spot on Campus: Cathedral Church

My Motto: Always remember...YOU are BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, SMARTER than you think, and LOVED more than you know.

Book  Recommended for Students: Unicorn Diaries, I Survived, Judy Moody, The Boxcar Children

What I love About About Cathedral: Cathedral has ALWAYS been a community that will support families through prayer and action.

Best Teaching Moment: My best teaching moments are when previous students make efforts to say, "Hello", both in the school building and in the community.

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Graduate Of: Missouri Western State University

Joined Cathedral: 1991

My Joy: Spending time with my family brings me joy.

Favorite Spot on Campus: The church is my favorite spot on campus. The church provides comfort.

Book  Recommended for Students: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.

What I love About About Cathedral: Cathedral School is a like a family. It is a community full of faith, support, and friendship.

Degree:

Degree: B.A. in East Asian Studies

Joined Cathedral: August 2022

My Joy: Doing things with and cooking for my family and friends.

Favorite Spot on Campus: The Cathedral Church

My Motto: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

Book  Recommended for my Students: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Winged Watchman, The Singing Tree, Wind in the Willows, The Boxcar Children Mysteries, The Screwtape Letters What I love about Cathedral: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Winged Watchman, The Singing Tree, Wind in the Willows, The Boxcar Children Mysteries, The Screwtape Letters

Best Teaching Moment: Watching the eight graders in Math coming up to the board excited to solve the math equations and seeing how their comments of "We're dumb!" from after they got their benchmark math scores back change to "We're smart!" as they build confidence in solving the math problems.

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: Bachelor of Science Physical Education

Graduate of:  

Greenville University (2021)
Mid-Buchanan High School (2017)

Joined Cathedral: 2021 

Personal Statement:  As a physical educator, I truly believe that I can help students develop a better sense of sportsmanship, teamwork, and giving it their best in everything they do. While doing so the students will be strengthening their faith.