Elizabeth Tokodi, Principal

St. Mary Catholic School welcomes Elizabeth Tokodi as Principal.  She is an alumni of St. Mary Catholic School, Parkersburg Catholic High School, and graduated with an Elementary Education degree with a special Ed certificate K-12.  She has her MBA from the Kellar Graduate School with a specialization in Healthcare Management.  She enjoys spending time with her 2 daughters Mary and Annie, coaching their sports, running, reading and cooking.  Ms. Tokodi looks forward to preparing our students to be leaders in their faith, their communities and Church. 

Kim Kytta, Preschool 4/After School Care

Mrs. Kim Kytta is St. Mary Catholic School Preschool 4 teacher.  Mrs. Kytta has two sons, Hayden and Tyler.  She has taught preschool for over 16 years and uses a blended curriculum approach to reach all of her students.  She is an active member of the St. Mary Parish community and St. Mary School is lucky to have her.  Mrs. Kytta also provides the after school care at St. Mary Catholic School.  More information on after school care is available by calling the school office at 740-374-8181.

Emma Pfeiffer, Preschool 4 Aide

Stephanie McCutcheon, Preschool 3 Teacher

Miss McCutcheon is our Preschool 3 teacher for St. Mary Catholic School. She joined St. Mary Catholic School last year as our second PreK teacher and is transitioning to Preschool 3 this year. Stephanie has an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Washington State and her Bachelors degree from Marietta College with an Endorsement in 4 & 5 year olds. Stephanie has 6 years of experience in the Preschool setting. She loves spending time with her 2 sisters, likes to read, music and crafting. She looks forward to welcoming her students and enjoys watching them work to their full potential and develop the love of learning!

Jill Schwendeman, Preschool 3 Aide

Erin Wojcik, Pre-K

Erin Wojcik has been at St. Mary for many years in many roles.  She has found that Pre Kindergarten is her love and she does a fabulous job with the transition year that the Pre-K environment provides. She has a B.S. in Organizational Management and an A.S. in Accounting. Previously, Erin was the teacher aide full time for the lower grades and the PE teacher.

Meredith Becker, Pre-K Aide

Emily McCutcheon, Kindergarten Teacher

Emily McCutcheon begins her 3rd year with St. Mary Catholic School this year.  She started out as the Kindergarten teacher last school year (permanent sub when Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Smith was out on medical leave) and finished the year as the PE teacher.  Emily graduated from Muskingum University with a degree in Elementary Education and has an Associate degree from Washington State. She is active in her Church and community and is excited to welcome her Kindergarten students this year!

Nancy Kroft, Kindergarten Aide

Kaitlin Hollister, First Grade Teacher

Kaitlin Hollister is transitioning from Kindergarten to our second First Grade teacher for the 2022-2023 academic year.  Kaitlin is married to Scott and they have 2 children, Barrett who will be in Kindergarten and Emma who will be in Pre-K.  Kaitlin graduated in 2012 from Marietta College with her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education.  She had previously taught at Warren local schools. She enjoys spending time outside with family and friends and is excited about teaching at St. Mary Catholic School where she feels there is a positive learning environment that fosters love of learning and growing.

Neva Kern, First Grade

Mrs. Kern received her BA in Elementary Education from Kent State University and her Masters degree from Walden University with a specialization in reading.  She recently retired from Frontier Local Schools after teaching for 35 years.  While teaching at Frontier, she taught 7th/8th grade, 4th grade, 1st grade and as a reading specialist/coach for the State of Ohio for 7 years.  Neva is married to Mike and they reside in Marietta.  In her free time she enjoys reading, playing the piano, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Neva is very passionate about helping her students discover a love for learning through an environment that focuses on creativity, curiosity and kindness.  Neva gives credit to her mom and the St. Mary Catholic sister Delores and Mrs. Normand for instilling the love of learning.  

Cathy Rauch, Second Grade

Cathy Rauch is the 2nd grade and Technology teacher. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from The Ohio State University. She has taught grades K, 1, 2, 3 in Columbus, Cleveland, and Marietta. She currently teaches Technology to grades K–8. Cathy is married to David Rauch with four daughters. She is a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Church and an alumni /8th grade graduate of St. Mary Catholic School. She is the director of Rcia, helps with Vbs, and fish fries. Cathy enjoys spending time with her family, boating, and playing piano.

Savannah Huck, Second Grade

Savannah Huck joins the St. Mary Catholic School family this year as the second 2nd grade teacher.  Mrs. Huck graduated with her B.S in Elementary Education from Franciscan University of Steubenville.  She has two years of experience as a school based behavior specialist with Life and Purpose and taught 1 year at Parkersburg Catholic Elementary teaching Religion and Social Studies.  She is married to Terren Huck and they have a daughter and a dog.  Savannah enjoys shopping, cake decorating, crafting and being with her family and friends.  Her goals as a teacher at St. Mary Catholic are to teach the whole child, academically, emotionally and spiritually.  

Jaime Cunningham, Third Grade

Jaime Cunningham is the third grade teacher. She has a Bachelor’s of Art in Education with a Reading Endorsement from Marietta College and a Master’s in Education with a Gifted Intervention Specialist license from Muskingum College. Jaime worked for the Washington County ESC as a gifted intervention specialist for one year, and then went to work for Warren Local Schools for 14 years. During her years at Warren Local, she was the Gifted Intervention Specialist for grades 3–8, taught 3rd Grade, and served as the Coordinator of Gifted Services. Jaime is a graduate of St. Mary Catholic Elementary and Parkersburg Catholic High School.  Jaime has been teaching third grade at St. Mary for 4 years. She is married to Ben Cunningham and has three children who attend St. Mary Catholic Elementary.

Lori Estes, Fourth Grade

Lori Estes is the fourth grade teacher. When she returned to Marietta after college, she substituted for two years and then taught in a talented and gifted program for 2 additional years. She went into “hibernation” for 16 years to be a stay-at-home mom. Lori has been received a Golden Apple for her work at St. Mary and has been our fourth grade teacher for the past few years.  She is a history buff and loves to share this passion with her students.  She is the mother of three children, Reagan, Owen, and Gavin,  and wife to her husband, Todd.

Golden Apple Award

Congratulations to Mrs. Estes for receiving the Jan Dils’ Golden Apple Award! Watch video here.

Melissia Birge, Fifth Grade

Melissia graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.  She taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grade for nine years before staying at home with her three children, Alex, Zack and Madylin, who will all be attending St. Mary Catholic School.  Melissia spent the last two years teaching a preschool and a private church school in the Texas Panhandle.  She and her husband Ryan recently moved back to Marietta.  Melissia is a Golden Apple Award recipient for her work with the 5th grade at St. Mary.

Russell Lewis, Sixth Grade

Mr. Russell Lewis was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a 2017 graduate of Marietta College where he also played football. He taught at Warren Middle School prior to being hired as the 7th grade teacher at St. Mary Catholic School.  Mr. Lewis is married, and he and his wife welcomed a son, Ryker in May of 2018 and daughter Revelle in August 2020.  

Seventh Grade- Dr. Dean Hirschi-Science  Mrs. Leslie Lupardus-Religion

Dr. Dean Hirschi joined St. Mary Catholic School as the Middle School Science Teacher for the 2022-2023 Academic year.  Dr. Hirschi has a Ph. D in Physics from the University of Kansas.  He currently teaches at St. Mary Catholic School in the mornings and teaches at Washington State where he teaches physics and astronomy and has for 25 years plus.  Dr. Hirschi is married with two children, a son who is a Social Worker and a daughter who is a Mechanical Engineer.  He enjoys reading, listening to music, exercise and watching tv.  His goal is to develop a love/appreciation for Science and to enjoy it as much as he does.  Welcome Dr. Hirschi!

Mrs. Leslie Lupardus has a LPN in Nursing from Washington State Community College.  She previously worked as a nurse at Glenwood until having children.  The last 7 years she has been a nutraceutical representative for a health and beauty company.  Leslie has been married to Matt for 10 years and are both converts to the Catholic Faith.  They have 2 children who attend St. Mary Catholic School and 2 dogs.  Leslie enjoys leading the Youth Group of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption with her husband Matt and her goal in teaching Middle School religion is to help the students find a renewed passion for their faith journey.  Welcome Mrs. Lupardus!

Eighth Grade

We are pleased to welcome Dr. David Graham who joined the St. Mary Catholic School staff this
week as the 7th and 8th grade English teacher. Dr. Graham received his BA from Marietta
College, his MA from Bowling Green State University and his PhD from Purdue University. He is
married with 4 children and enjoys hiking, golfing and watching sports.  He hopes to encourage students to see the importance of English and Literature in their lives and develop their skills as writers.  Welcome Dr. Graham!

Bri Moore, Title I

Bri Moore has Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Morehead State.  She has a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Nova Southeastern University.  Bri was a teacher for nine years and previously worked with us at St. Mary before taking a hiatus to raise her two boys who now attend St. Mary.  She is also in her 4th year of teaching future educators through WVUP.  

Melissa Corcoran, Speech

Melissa Corcoran is the Speech teacher. She graduated from the Ohio State University in 2007 with a Master’s degree in speech language pathology. Melissa has served in hospital, clinic, and school settings. Before serving at Saint Mary, she worked in the Belpre City School district. She enjoys singing and spending time with her husband, three boys, and her daughter.

Angela Greathouse, Intervention Specialist

Talented and Gifted Teacher- Mrs. Lacey Worthington

Mrs. Lacey Worthington is a graduate of Fort Frye High School and a 2015 graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville with a mathematical and science education degree.  She also has her Masters in Education from Franciscan and is certified to teach math grades 7-12 and special ed grades K-12.  She has previously taught math at Fort Frye grades 7-12 and was a elementary math and science teacher for Parkersburg Catholic Elementary grades 4-6.  Lacey is married to Daniel and they currently have 2 children and are expecting their 3rd child next spring.  Lacey enjoys running, working out and horses.  She is the Junior High girls basketball coach and her goal as the Talented and Gifted teacher is to help the students become the best versions of themselves while enjoying learning.  

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Amy Steinel-Huck, Aide

Amy has a Bachelors in Science from Wilmington College.  She taught preschool her senior year of college and  followed as a manager/owner of a family business for multiple years.  Amy took a hiatus to stay home with her daughter and returned to work at St. Mary in food service.  She has taken over the aide position and we are happy and lucky to have her. 

 Technology – Miss Mya Sauls

Sharon Loken, Teachers Aide and Athletic Director

Mrs. Loken begins her 3rd year with St. Mary Catholic School transitioning to a Full time position this year as well as taking on the role of Athletic Director for St. Mary Catholic School. She will be an All School teachers aide providing an extra set of hands throughout the day to any and all who need her.  Sharon is married to Curt and they have 2 dogs, Dozer and Welder and she is a member and Eucharistic minister at The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption.  She enjoys the role of teachers aide and the rewards that it provides her daily.

John Ontko, Music & Band

John Ontko is the music and band teacher. He received his B.M. degree in Music Education from Capital University in Columbus, OH in 1991. He received a M.M. in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN in 1994. John is a 1981 graduate of St. Mary Catholic School where he began to play trumpet in 5th Grade with the school band. While in 7th grade, he began playing organ for masses at (then) St. Mary Church. While attending Warren Local HS, he participated in Band, Choir, and Handbell Choir, at the same time continuing to play organ at St. Mary’s and a local church. John has taught at St. Mary Catholic School since 1994. Teaching General Music for pre-school–4th grade, Instrumental Music for 5th–8th grades, and Handbells for 5th–8th grades. In November of 1994, he also began the job of Music Director/ Organist for St. Mary Church (now the Basilica) where he plays for masses each weekend, plans the liturgies, and directs the Basilica Choir, Handbell Choir, and Cantors.

Shawna Linscott, Art

Mrs. Shawna Linscott was born in Charleston, WV and grew up in Konna, WV. She attended Ripley, WV schools through High School. She attended Barton College in Wilson, NC, a small Liberal Arts School where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Studio Art, with a concentration in drawing and photography. She has volunteered for St. Mary Catholic School for 7 years in various capacities prior to teaching Art part time in 2017. Her daughter, Sophia will be in 6th grade at St. Mary Catholic School.

 Physical Education- Miss Grace Crosby

Grace joined St. Mary Catholic School for the 2022-23 Academic year as the new gym teacher.  Grace is a 2014 alumni of St. Mary Catholic School and has her B.S in Biology from Marietta College (2021) and is working of her Masters in Food and Nutritional Science at Ohio University.  She has played soccer her whole life and played for both the Marietta Tigers and the Marietta College Pioneers.  Her love of the sport has her being an Assistant coach at both of her alma maters and she has worked in the dental field as a dental assistant and has worked as a lab assistant at Ohio University in the Edison biotechnology institute.  She enjoys coaching soccer, being active outdoors and spending time with family and friends.  Her goals as the PE teacher are to create a fun and safe environment in which students can engage in physical activity while learning the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, displaying sportsmanship and embodying Catholic values.  

Jennifer Fenton, French

Jennifer Fenton is the French teacher. She has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and French from Queens University of Charlotte. Jennifer completed the Core teaching program at Muskingum University. She has been a social worker, a substitute teacher, a volunteer, and a mother. Jennifer also loves to cook! She taught a French cooking camp this summer for about 16 elementary school children at her house, and she had a lot of fun. The students learned many delicious French recipes to share with their families, as well as French food traditions, etiquette, knife skills, and important kitchen safety information. Jennifer has been married to David Fenton for 17 years, and she has two beautiful children, Audrey and Tyler. Audrey is in 8th grade at Williamstown High School, and Tyler is in 6th grade at Williamstown Elementary.

Deb Coty, Director of Religious Education

Brenda Burkey, Secretary

Angela Bennett, Secretary

Angela Bennett is an auxiliary Secretary through Marietta City Schools and has worked with St. Mary Catholic School since 2005.  She is married to Brian and has three children, all of whom graduated from St. Mary Catholic School. Angela is a member of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption.

Tammi Bradley, Marketing

Tammi has been with St. Mary Catholic School in many roles. She started as a sub within the school in 2010, transitioned into the school secretary role from 2012–2014 and has been the Marketing And Community Relations Director since the position was created in 2015. Tammi lives in Marietta with her husband, Mark, and their two daughters, Emilee and Gabrielle, who are all St. Mary Catholic School Alumni. She graduated from Ohio University in 1992 with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services.

Sharon Loken, Athletic Director  sharonloken@stmaryscatholic.org

Jenny Altenburger, Treasurer

Jenny Altenburger is the St. Mary School Treasurer. She graduated in 1992 from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Upon graduation, she worked for almost 10 years with the State Auditor’s Office before being a stay-at-home mom for several years. Jenny’s family moved to Marietta in 2009, and she began working at St. Mary Catholic School in 2010. She’s married to Andy Altenburger and has three children; Jill, age 22; Matt, age 19; and Morgan, age 15. Jenny enjoys attending athletic events, spending time with family, and just being a busy mom!

Mya Sauls, RN School Nurse

Mya is a 2018 graduate of Fort Frye High School and a 2021 graduate of Washington State with her LPN and a 2022 graduate with her Associate’s in Applied Science of Nursing.  She is engaged to be married next June to Issac Huffman and has previously worked as a LPN at Waterview Pointe, a nursing home in Marietta.  Her passion is to work with children and she was drawn to the nursing position at St. Mary Catholic School where she has been the Junior High Volleyball coach and is currently the Technology teacher at the school two days per week as well as the nurse 5 days per week.  Mya enjoys shopping, spending time with family and friends, playing with her dog Molly and watching and coaching sports.  Her goals at St. Mary Catholic School is to teach the students the importance of a healthy lifestyle and to respect the human body and it’s systems and to educated students on the human body.  Welcome Mya!