Pope St. John XXIII
STEM ACADEMY

Education

MEd in Education with an Emphasis on Early Childhood Education from Eastern Washington University; BAS-T from Pierce College; AA in Applied Science from Tacoma Community College

Experience

Ms. Agnes has been teaching for 12 years with 10 years in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Her other experience includes a year as a lead toddler teacher in a Montessori school and a one year internship in a general and special education classroom.

Passions/Interests

Ms. Agnes enjoys spending her free time with her husband, dog, and big family! Something most important to her are large family get togethers. She also enjoys spending her time in nature through hiking and learning any recreational water sport.

Education

B.A. Strategic Communications, Seattle University; M.S. Curriculum and Instruction, WGU

Experience

Mrs. Daniels has been teaching for 7 years

Passions/Interests

Mrs. Daniels enjoys dance and theater in her time outside of school. She also enjoys watching Paddington Bear and Downton Abbey.

Passions/Interests

Mrs. Tibbits enjoys going to Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Rainiers games with her family, volunteering as a girls basketball coach, and tending to her ever-growing garden.

Classes

English, Social Studies, Religion

Education

BA in Dance & History, DeSales University, Center Valley, PA; MAT Secondary Social Studies, University of Portland, Portland, through the Pacific Alliance for Catholic Education (PACE) program; Oregon State Teaching License; Washington State Teaching License

Experience

4 Years

Passions/Interests

You can always find Ms. Hojnowski with a cup of coffee. In her time outside of school she enjoys going on hikes, playing trivia, and reading.

Education

Saigon College; Licensed Boiler Engineer

Experience

Over 20 Years

Education

MEd in Reading from the University of Portland; BS in Middle Childhood Education from Franciscan University of Steubenville; Orton-Gillingham Certification from the Dyslexia Training Institute; Certified Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher from the Center for Effective Reading Instruction; Washington State Teaching Certificate

Experience

1 Year

Passions/Interests

Mrs. Franzen enjoys spending time in the sunshine, hiking, and kayaking. She also enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and reading.

Education

OSPI Kitchen Certification; Food Handlers Permit

Experience

20 Years

Education

MA Educational Leadership, School Administrator Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Michigan; MA Teaching-Learning Disorders in Specialization Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, Michigan; Bachelors in Science & Secondary Education Certification Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, Michigan; Associate in Science & Arts, Kirtland Community College, Roscommon MI

Experience

Celeste's 32-year career in the sciences reflects a deep passion for critical thinking and problem solving, grounded in hands-on, project-based learning.

Passions/Interests

In Celeste's free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, tending to her roses, feeding the birds, cooking, and refinishing old furniture. Her lifelong love for education has brought her full circle to Pope St. John XXIII STEM Academy, where she hopes to share her knowledge, experience, and resources to inspire the next generation of learners.

Classes

Math, Science

Education

BS in Biology, Minor in Psychology, Loyola Marymount; MA Secondary Science Education, Seattle University

Experience

20 years of teaching experience

Passions/Interests

Mrs. Hemphill enjoys spending her time outside of school coaching rowing for Commencement Bay Rowing Club. She also enjoys spending time with her 3 kids and watching them play sports and participate in various activities.

Education

Visitation Alumna, BA in Accounting, University of Puget Sound

Experience

17 years as a bookkeeper

Passions/Interests

Heather enjoys spending her free time reading and watching football

Education

BA in English and Theatre Arts, Saint Martin's University; M.Ed in Elementary Education.

Experience

5 years teaching experience

Passions/Interests

Mr. Penn enjoys spending his time outside of school making music, acting, and recently began playing DnD. He also currently serves on the Tacoma Little Theatre Board of Directors.

Education

BA in Liberal Studies from the University of Notre Dame; M.Ed. from the University of Notre Dame

Experience

9 years teaching experience, 2 years experience as a Resource Specialist

Passions/Interests

Mrs. Hudac loves pigs, reading books, and taking her two kids camping.

Education

BA in Elementary Education K-8, minor in Literacy, Central Washington University; Certifications: Certified PLTW Lead Teacher; K-8 Literacy Endorsement; K-8 Elementary Teacher

Experience

14 years teaching 1st and 2nd grades at Pope St. John XXIII STEM Academy

Passions/Interests

Mrs. Muller enjoys the outdoors. She likes skiing in the winter and hiking and playing water sports in the summer with her husband and two young children. Her family has popcorn movie night every Friday and it is everyone's favorite day of the week. In her spare time she likes organizing, cooking, baking, reading, and renovating her family home with her husband.

Education

Visitation Alumna, OSPI STARS Certified

Experience

Ms. Kelli has been at Pope St. John XXIII STEM Academy for 12 years

Passions/Interests

In her time outside of school, Ms. Kelli enjoys spending time with her 3 children, going to the movies, spending time in nature, hiking, practicing yoga, and being in the sunshine!

Education

BA Education, WSU, Pullman; M.Ed Special Education, WGU Washington; Early Childhood Education Endorsement; Diversified Learners Lead; CERI Certified Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher; Board Certified Inclusive Special Education Teacher

Experience

24 years teaching

Passions/Interests

Ms. Butterfield enjoys spending her time outside of school reading, cooking, gardening and restoring her 1920s bungalow. She has 2 kids of her own and a grand dog, Ru, that she enjoys taking on long walks.

Education

M.A. Educational Leadership, University of Notre Dame; M.A. in Education at Loyola Marymount University; B.A. in Theology at University of Notre Dame; ; Certifications: WA State School Administrator License, WA State Teaching Credential (Multi-Subject, Grades K-12)

Experience

This is Mr. Nuno's 21st year in Catholic Schools. 14 years have been as an administrator and 7 years teaching. This is his eighth year at Pope St. John XXIII STEM Academy, with previous experience at St. Raymond in Downey, CA and St. Monica Catholic High School in Santa Monica, CA

Passions/Interests

Outside of school, Mr. Nuno enjoys playing basketball and surfing. The best parts of his life are when he can be with family and friends.

Education

AA, Green River Community College; BA, University of Puget Sound; Currently working on MA, Western Governors University

Experience

5 Years

Education

MERIT Early Learning Certifications, continuing STARS education & training.

Experience

3 years

Passions/Interests

Ms. Ryan's interests outside of school are in humanitarian work, volunteering at multiple animal rescues with animal care and fundraising, and at the Tacoma rescue mission helping out low income/unhoused community members in Tacoma. Ms. Ryan also invests her free time into natural health techniques.

Education

BA in Elementary & Special Education, Northern Arizona University; M.Ed Early Childhood Education, Eastern Washington University

Experience

6 years

Passions/Interests

Stephanie enjoys spending her free time with her family, camping, hiking, and kayaking.

Education

MA S in Genetic Counseling - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; BA in Biology - University of Arkansas; currently working toward completion of WA State teaching credential

Experience

2 years

Passions/Interests

In her spare time, Mrs. Leaumont likes to read, run, swim, play frisbee, dance, drink coffee, and snuggle her two cats.