St. Patrick’s Catholic School offers single classes from kindergarten through the eighth grade. Six elementary, three middle school and one physical education/health teacher work at the parochial school, and this year seven of those positions will be filled by new faces.
Toss in a new principal, and it is safe to say the school is, in some ways, the newest it has been since its founding in 1921.
Second grade teacher Rachel Rothmeyer, third grade teach Julie Hudnell and middle school religion and social studies teacher Darcy Spellman return, but changes are in store for the rest of the students.
Kandice Roethler
Principal
Hometown: Algona, Iowa (Bishop Garrigan HS)
College: University of Iowa (undergraduate); Drake University (graduate school). Currently in doctoral program at Drake University.
Hobbies: Reading
Sarah Finn
Kindergarten
Hometown: Van Horne, Iowa (Benton Community HS)
College: University of Northern Iowa
Family: Newlywed
Hobbies: Arts and crafts; learning how to use her recently-purchased Cricket, a precision cutting tool
Amy Smith
First Grade
Hometown: Greenwood, Indiana
College: Indiana University
Hobbies: Bargain, clearance shopping
Jeffrey Grange
Fourth Grade
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa (DM Lincoln HS)
College: DMACC/Grandview University
Family: Married, with two young foster children
Hobbies: Reading the bible and discussing religion; learning to play the banjo
Lindsay Baker
Fifth Grade
Hometown: Bondurant, Iowa
College: Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas.
Hobbies: Dance, playing games of all kinds (board, cards, etc)
Alan Brasch
Physical Education/Health/Technology
Hometown: Jesup, Iowa.
College: Wartburg College
Hobbies: Watching sports, working out
Aislinn Phan
Middle School Language Arts
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa (Earlham HS)
College: Grandview University
Family: Husband Tuan and two cats
Hobbies: Shopping, gardening, reading and exercise
Amelia Lamsam
Middle School Math and Science
Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota
College: Drake University
Hobbies: Reading, coach of PHS Color Guard
