Faculty
St. Raphael teachers are members of our Catholic community called to work in partnership with parents and administration. Our teachers are called to a sanctity of the highest order. The nobility of the task to which they’re called demands that – in imitation of Christ, the only Teacher – they carry the Christian message not only by word but also by action. These partnerships enhance faith formation and improve learning outcomes for all students.
All our teachers hold appropriate state certification, and they receive continuous professional development so that they can offer their students a combination of the best traditional and contemporary instruction. As a small faculty, St. Raphael teachers are highly engaged in all facets of our school, everything from planning service projects, to selling pull tabs at the parish picnic, to writing, implementing, and evaluating curriculum. Our teachers are a special group of creative and caring professionals, committed to the education and well-being of each and every student.
Hello, I am Julie Hayes the principal of St. Raphael the Archangel. I come to St. Raphael with experience in various roles as an educator. I began my career as a second grade teacher at St. Sabina Catholic School in Florissant. While at St. Sabina, I also taught fourth grade and taught reading as a resource teacher. I feel very blessed to have called St. Sabina my home for many years. After teaching at the elementary level, I became the learning consultant at Incarnate Word Academy High School for six years. I loved teaching at the high school level because I was able to help students appreciate their own growth in learning and take pride in their numerous successes. It was during this time of my career I decided to go back to school myself. I attend the Catholic Leadership Master’s Degree program at Saint Louis University. Once earning my Master’s Degree and certification in administration, I became the assistant principal at St. Norbert Catholic School which is my home parish. For the past two years, I served as principal at St. James the Greater School in Dogtown. I bring with me a little part of each of those wonderful communities, and now I am excited and blessed to be a part of the St. Raphael the Archangel community.
On a personal note, my husband, Jim, and I have three grown children, two sons and a daughter. Our family has grown over the past few years with the addition of our two daughter-in-laws and three grandchildren. We have been members of St. Norbert Parish for the past 36 years, and it is where our children attended elementary school. During my time away from school, I enjoy to cooking, reading a good book, and spending time with my family.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Missouri State University | Elementary Education |
B.S. |
| Saint Louis University | Catholic Educational Leadership | Master’s Degree |
|
Paul VI Religious Institute |
Religious Education Certificate |
Other Information:
Missouri Lifetime Teaching Certificate K-8
Missouri Certificate in Leadership/ Administration
Hello, my name is Zach Almeida and I am the 6th - 8th grade math teacher. I graduated from Xavier University with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics in 2019. Previously I taught at De Smet Jesuit High School as part of the Alum Service Corps program. I believe that the best way for students to learn is through practice. In my classroom students learn new concepts through individual, small group, whole group and practice games and activities.
| University | Major | Degree |
| Xavier University | Mathematics | Batchelor |
Other Information:
Certified 7-12th Grade Mathematics
I have a diverse amount of experience working with polarly different populations; throughout these different opportunities with various titles, I have maintained one constant and passion-teaching. My experiences have taught me so much about people of all demographics and shaped me into a better, stronger, and more passionate person and educator. Additionally, I am a practicing Catholic and active member of the Saint Vincent de Paul parish. I personally know the value of a Catholic education, preschool to university. My Catholic education fostered my spiritual and moral values, instilled a strong sense of community and a sense of service in addition to my secular academics. I am proud to provide that same opportunity to my students. I also have 4 years of experience as a Catholic Youth Leader and Religious Educator at the Scott AFB Chapel.
I am so thrilled to be a part of the Saint Raphael the Archangel family! Teaching is a privilege as well as a tremendous responsibility to me. I strive to create an environment where each student has a motivating and safe learning experience filled with love, learning, faith and positive character. I am passionate about learning and enjoy reading, math, life science, and the world around me! When I am not teaching, I enjoy visiting Forest Park and spending time with my husband Mr. Christopher, daughter Vivien Rose, and three dogs Lemieux, Oscar, and Gordie.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degrees |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis University | Elementary Education | BA |
| Lindenwood | Arts in Counseling | Working on Masters |
Other Information:
Certified in Elementary Education, grades 1-6
As a Catholic school educator, I will demonstrate a positive attitude towards my students and colleagues. I will strive to motivate my students to learn about their world through history and the language arts. I am committed to helping my students learn the skills they will need in order to be successful during their time at St. Raphael the Archangel School. I also want them to be able to develop what they have learned as they continue along their educational journey. I will endeavor to the best of my ability to help my students discover and develop the gifts that God has blessed them with and to help them understand their role as a child of God in today's world.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Fontbonne | ED MUS ED | Bacc |
| Loyola (N.O.) | REL ED | Master |
Other Information:
Fine Arts-Vocal Music Grade Level K – 12
Fine Arts-Instrumental Music
Life Certificate
Hello, my name is Gretchen Decker and I am the Art Teacher for St Raphael the Archangel. This is my first teaching assignment since earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Design from Missouri State University last year. I have already learned so much here from the teachers, staff, kids, and parents about what it means to be part of a school community. When this opportunity at St Raphael's came along, I knew God had a plan for me! While I have taught in dance, church, and Boys & Girls Club in the past, I knew teaching and sharing my love for art to children is where my heart is. I hope my passion for art is contagious and the students at every age level can embrace art with a willingness to learn, great imagination, and taking risks to push their creativity. I hope the students enjoy my class half as much as I enjoy teaching them as we journey through art together. A few facts about myself; I was born in Guatemala City and was adopted at six months old. I danced at the Professional Dance Center growing up. And I’ve been traveling a lot recently and hanging up disposable camera pictures in my classroom of my trips!
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degree |
| Missouri State University | Fine Arts | Bachelor |
My name is Hayley Franks, and I am the Second-grade teacher! I am originally from Chicago, though my family now lives in Atlanta, GA. I went to SLU, where I studied Elementary Education. I began my time at St. Raphael as a Student Teacher in Third grade under Ms. Polson. I fell in love with the St. Raphael community and left the school year with hopes of returning as a teacher. My prayers were answered, and I was offered the Second-grade position!
This is my second year in Second grade, and I have enjoyed it so much! I aim to instill a love of learning through collaborative activities, games, and interactive center activities. I want my students to leave my class knowing they are capable, intelligent, and loved. Our motto in Second grade is “Everything is figureoutable". As we grow, learn, and struggle together, we are reminded of that motto daily.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degree |
| Saint Louis University | Education | Bachelor |
Other Information:
Certified in Early Education
My name is Connie Holbrook, and I am so excited to be here at St. Raphael the Archangel school! I am the 5th grade homeroom teacher. For 26 years, I have taught elementary and middle school, with the majority of that time at the Special Education School, Annunziata. I am a product of Catholic education all the way through college and my daughters attended Catholic schools. Therefore I realize the importance of a quality education and being able to teach the Catholic faith. I strive to foster independence, self-advocacy, a love of learning, and especially a love for Jesus Christ in the students. I truly enjoy watching them grow and learn throughout the year.
Personally, I am married to a wonderful man and have 2 daughters, 24 and 16 years old. I also have 2 beautiful granddaughters, 5 years old and almost a year old. On my time away from school I enjoy spending time with them, my family, traveling, reading, and watching the St. Louis Blues.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degree |
| Fontbonne University | Education | Bachelor |
| Webster University | Education | Masters |
Other Information:
Certified Education Grades 1-8
Certified Special Education K-12
Dear Parents, Welcome to Preschool A or better known as the Animals at SRA Preschool. My name is Molly Indelicato and I am the Lead Teacher in Preschool A. This is my sixth year at Saint Raphael and my first year as Lead Teacher. I am the Director of the Aftercare program, as well as the Director of the SRA Summer Camp. I have four children and they have all attended Saint Raphael.
I love my job and the children who come through our doors. I believe that a three-year old is just like a sponge and absorbs so much more then we will ever understand. I feel if we feed their minds with knowledge in a loving and patient manner, they will thrive in our school. Our curriculum is targeted to a three-year old so that they grow throughout the year and are ready to move to Pre-K. The environment in my class is a safe, loving and fun place to learn. I am currently working on my Certification in Early Childhood Education
My name is Jessica Klein, and I am excited to be the 1st grade teacher at St. Raphael! For almost 20 years I have worked as a speech-language pathologist. I received my bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorder (CSD) from Mizzou and my master’s degree in CSD from Fontbonne University. I have worked with children of a variety of ages with speech, language and listening needs, but my focus has primarily been with students in grades K-3. In addition to working with students, I have presented at a variety of conferences and written a webinar about the connection between language and literacy. In 1st grade, I aim to instill a love for learning, a love for God and a love for each other! We talk every day about how we are a big classroom family, and we are all valued and loved. In addition to being the 1st grade teacher at St. Raphael, I am also a parishioner. My husband and I have been active members of the St. Raphael parish for almost ten years, and our three children attend school here. Being able to now be a member of the school faculty is truly a blessing!
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degree |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | Communication Science and Disorder | Bachelor |
| Fontbonne University | Communication Science and Disorder | Masters |
I am so blessed with the opportunity to teach science here at St. Raphael the Archangel! Over the last twenty years I taught many high school science courses at McCluer High School in North County before retiring from the public school system of Missouri in 2020. But I still had the passion for teaching science especially to the middle school students after subbing all of last year. So I checked the St. Louis Archdiocese’s need for science teachers and found several Catholic Schools in need throughout the region. After just saying a prayer with my wife to St. Joseph and the Holy Spirit for guidance in my search, I happened to phone Mrs. Hayes here at St. Raphael and after talking with her, found she had just finished praying for help filling a science position. God does answer PRAYERS! So we met and I gladly accepted the position. It is hard to explain the feeling of being able to teach in an environment where I can express my Catholic Faith in the classroom. I grew up attending St. Mary’s Catholic School in Belleville, and I know the importance of attending daily Mass in regards to students’ Faith Formation. I am very excited to share my knowledge of science with St. Raphael Students and my love and passion for wildlife and nature of God’s beautiful planet Earth. I have been married to my wife Linda for 33 years, we have three children and are expecting our first grandson from Joe our son and Jessi his wife, who work at a Mission School in the Dominican Republic. I am a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and I am an Eagle Scout, played soccer in High School and Junior College and my hobbies include wildlife photography, vegetable and flower gardening, deer hunting and time with family. I have a Bachelor Degree in Zoology from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale with a Minor in Botany, and my Teacher Certification from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degree |
| Southern Illinois University of Carbondale |
Zoology Minor-Botany |
Bachelor |
Other Information:
Certified Teacher 9-12 in Biology
Hello, my name is Elizabeth Magee and I am the Kindergarten teacher at St. Raphael the Archangel. I joined the SRA faculty last year as the Prekindergarten teacher and was fortunate enough to move up to the Kindergarten position when it became available. I have always loved working with young children throughout the many facets of my life, however, I found my calling for teaching in my late 20s. My undergraduate degree was in Human Environmental Studies and I had always dreamed of working in the fashion industry. A few years after I graduated, I realized my true passion was to work with children and to become a teacher. This is when I decided to pursue my teaching degree and I completed Webster University’s MAT program earning a Masters Degree and certification in Early Childhood Education in 2014. I am very passionate about the importance of the early years in education. This is where a strong foundation of both learning and faith begins and I want to foster a great love for each of these areas. I grew up Catholic and attended parochial school until 8th grade. I feel so fortunate to be a part of the SRA community, not only growing my students’ faith, but my own as well. I learn so much from them on a daily basis. It is an honor and a privilege to be here and I have been so welcomed and embraced from the very beginning. I can’t wait to further my teaching career and knowledge working alongside our amazing faculty and staff! When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two young daughters who are also students at SRA. I’m so happy to have them both at school with me! I enjoy reading, cooking and exercising.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degree |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Human Enviromental Studies | Bachelor |
| Webster University | Early Childhood Education | Masters |
Other Information:
Certified in Early Education from birth-3rd Grade
This is my fourth year as a full-time teacher and my second year at SRA. I was previously a third grade teacher. I feel fortunate to be the PE teacher here. My favorite part about St. Raphael is the community and the togetherness of the school. My ultimate goal as a PE teacher is for students to develop a life-long love of physical activity and sport. I want students to be active, learn skills, and have fun every class. I am very passionate about sports and passing those skills on. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I enjoy soccer, tennis, and running. I was born and raised in the St. Louis area, attending SLUH and UMSL.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degree |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis | Education | Bachelor |
Other Information:
Certified grades 1-6
"Life is an Open Book” is a favorite quote of mine. Third graders do a lot of reading in all the genre. Having come from a long line of teachers and played “school” with dolls as a young girl I know have a dream job: working with the minds of children. I love the imaginative nature, curiousity, positive energy and wonder students have and design learning activities to teach them. We play educational games and write a giant leaf report. Third grade is a transitional year; I set high goals and expand their thinking while encouraging independence and maturity. Learning is a life long journey. To love to learn and read will make the travels so very enlightening, with the Spirit as our guide. St. Raphael, Pray for Us.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degrees |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis University | ED ENG LA ED | BACC |
| Webster University | ED RDG | MAST |
Other Information:
Elementary Education Grade Level K – 8
English Grade Level 7 – 12
Life Certification
English: Special Reading Grade Level K – 12
CCPC Certification
When I was 13, I dreamed of being a journalist or a social worker. I was also profoundly influenced by three of my English teachers. Today, I feel incredibly fortunate because I have the privilege of getting to immerse myself in writing via my students and my own writing practice, I have the pleasure of seeing young people grow more confident and knowledgeable, and I have the joy of carrying on in the name of my past teachers.
I’ve been a teacher since 1991. I began as an educator in the Jennings School District. After spending nine years as a classroom teacher there, I transferred to the Ferguson-Florissant School District, where I worked with students of various ages—upper elementary, middle school, and even high school (in summer creative writing camps). Upon my retirement, I was hired at St. James the Greater as a middle-school ELA teacher. Unfortunately, it closed three years later, so I was lucky enough to get a job at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne as a social studies teacher. When there was an ELA opening at St. Raphael the Archangel, given the chance to work with subject areas I love and given the chance to work with Mrs. Hayes again, I jumped at the opportunity. I’m struck by the close-knit and supportive community, both with the students and with the families.
In the summer, I teach a 6-hour graduate class on the teaching of writing at UMSL. Working with fellow educators increases my network and knowledge-base. It is incredibly delightful to work with young people during the school year and then work with adults in the summer. For me, it’s the best of both worlds.
Married for almost four decades, I have two grown children and two grandchildren. (Hopefully, I will soon have three, as my son and his wife are trying to adopt the foster child they have.) We also have a golden retriever, and I volunteer with and serve on the board of a local dog rescue.
Offering a variety of extra-curricular activities is crucial to meeting the needs and interests of all students. I’ve been the Bellarmine Speech coach (and judge) in the past; I’m continuing that. In addition, I’m bringing a wonderful St. Louis project—Civitas—to St. Raphael. It’s a model U.N. program, and since it involves research and resolution writing, it can easily be integrated into the classwork on an occasional basis.
Teaching is a joy and a mission. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have a question or a concern. With teachers and parents working together, the students at St. Raphael flourish; I’m glad I’m now a part of that team.
Education Background:
| University | Degree | Major |
|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri-St. Louis | B.S. | Education |
| Lindenwood University | M.A. | Education |
Other Information:
Elementary Grades 1-8 Certification Middle School Language Arts
Certification Middle School Social Studies Certification
Hello, my name is Tracy Tate and I am the Pre-K B teacher. I am thrilled to be a part of the St. Raphael community. I knew at a young age that I wanted to be an educator. I would go volunteer in my moms preschool class every chance I had. Watching children interact with one another and seeing them get so excited when they learned a new concept was so exciting to observe. Although my only formal Catholic education was at Ursuline Academy, I was raised in a very faith filled, church going, Catholic family. I learned my faith from my parents and continue to be strong in my Catholic faith to this day. I received my Bachelors degree from Truman State University and am certified Pre-K through eighth grade and with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. I hold a Masters and certification in Early Childhood Special Education as well. I taught in the Riverview Gardens School District for 5 years before opting to stay at home and raise my family. For the past 10 years I have been teaching preschool as well as a reading interventionist. I am very excited to start this new chapter at St. Raphael. Being one of the first educators for these children is a big responsibility.. I feel it is very important that the children find learning stimulating and fun. Helping them to learn not only academics but social skills, how to be a friend and learn about God are my top priorities. When I am not teaching I enjoy spending time with my family. We love to play games, and go for long walks. I enjoy reading and baking as well.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degree |
| Truman State University | Education | Bachelor |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis | Early Childhood Education | Masters |
Other Information:
Certified in Early Education from Pre-K-8th Grade
Certified in Early Childhood Special Education
It has always been my ambition to be an educator, to help shape the minds of young children and to be a positive influence in their lives. Teaching is a lifelong process, and the children in my care are the leaders of the future. I enjoy watching them grow, pushing them further than they think they can go, watching them succeed, and witnessing the pride they demonstrate as they conquer new skills. Each child who comes through the door deserves a secure and nurturing environment. It is my job to provide this for them. I want to foster an equal balance of mutual respect within the student/teacher relationship. Each child learns in their own way. I want to provide a caring, safe atmosphere which will help students meet their fullest potential. I want to help them take ownership of their education. As a teacher in a Catholic School, it is also my job to instill in the children a love of God, to deepen their faith. I, in turn, learn from the children as well. I can identify with the values taught at St. Raphael at the very basic of levels. It all starts with God. He needs to be in the forefront of our minds as we travel through the day. All my personal education, as well as all my teaching experience has been in a Catholic School setting. I cannot image being in a different location where I cannot freely talk about our creator.
Education Background:
| University | Major | Degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Fontbonne | Early Childhood Ed | Bacc |
| UMSL | Elementary Ed | Masters |
Other Information:
Certified Pre-K through 3
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society