Working with kids has been the story of my life. At a very young age I would line up my dolls and toys to teach them lessons. When my younger brother and sister would cooperate, I always found ways to practice my teaching skills on them. Many of the strategies and skills I used back then were modeled from the Catholic education I received at St. John LaLande in Blue Springs, Missouri. The eight years in that Catholic faith-based setting helped form the person I am today.

It seems so long ago, when I was playing school, and now those days have turned to years of teaching and learning with children. I started teaching at Pleasant Hill, MO; it is a suburb town of Kansas City. I taught remedial math and language arts in the middle school. After three years of remedial, I transitioned into a sixth grade classroom. I worked with sixth graders until I moved to the Jefferson City area. I followed my parents after they retired back to their hometown of Freeburg. When I first moved to Linn, I took a one year position at Our Lady of the Snows in Mary’s Home teaching a combined third and fourth grade classroom. In 1996, I accepted a teaching position at Linn Elementary, where I taught fifth, sixth, and Title 1 reading throughout the years until I retired in 2017.

My retirement led me to St. George. I am reminded of Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” I am blessed that my steps have led me to St. George where I can continue my teaching and learning with children in a Catholic faith-based setting. I feel so welcomed and look forward to working with the families at St. George.

Get to Know Ms. Parrish!

I have been in Catholic education for many years. It is my job as Catholic educator to incorporate the faith concepts in secular subject areas. I believe that the key components of faith can be achieved through those secular subjects of science and social studies, which I will be teaching this year to 6th- 8th grade.

I am looking forward to reinforcing religious doctrine with facts and knowledge found in science and social studies. By incorporating faith principals into daily activities, I am hoping that my students leave my class with a stronger relationship with God.

Get to Know Mr. Maranowski!

While this is Mrs. Ashley Schmitz's first year at St. George, it's her 15th year teaching! She lives in Linn along with her husband, Nick, and three daughters- Maggie, Ellie, and Penelope. Although she did not attend St. George as a student, Mrs. Schmitz has lived in Linn nearly her entire life, only leaving to go to college at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. While she was there, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology as well as her Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education. Mrs. Schmitz believes that science and math are for everyone - if nothing else than to be able to marvel at the beauty that God has created. Whether you are new to junior high as a sixth grader or as a seasoned seventh or eighth grade pro, Mrs. Schmitz looks forward to working with you this school year! “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

Get to Know Mrs. Schmitz!