We are excited to welcome new teachers and staff for the 2024-2025 school year. Each of the new hires has gone through a rigorous interview process, are committed to be loyal to the Magisterium, and all are so excited to work with your student this year!
Mrs. Jennifer Delp, English Department
Mrs. Delp spent over ten years teaching English, social studies, and writing in Catholic schools. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Penn State and her Masters in Education from La Salle University. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters where they have created their own suburban backyard homestead. In her free time, Mrs. Delp enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, kayaking, board games, and playing darts.
Mrs. Annie Knepper, English Department
Annie Knepper has been teaching English at the high school level for over a decade and has been enjoying the wonders of a good book for much longer. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and her teaching certification at the College of William and Mary before going on to earn a Master of Arts in English at the University of Virginia. She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, three daughters, and one mischievous puggle.
Mrs. Rachel Krause, English and Foreign Language Department
Rachel holds a B.A. in English and Theology with a minor in Spanish, Summa Cum Laude, from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Following four years of teaching at a Catholic hybrid school, she is happy to join Kolbe Academy as an English teacher. She lives in Duluth, GA, with her husband and two sons.
Mrs. Daniela Mello de Almeido, Foreign Language Department
Daniela graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma with degrees in Mathematics, History, and Anthropology. She is currently working towards her Master's degree in Instructional Design and Education Technology. Moving to the US from Bolivia as a child, she has always been interested in languages and cultures. She and her family live in Oklahoma City.
Ms. Agostina Cavasotto, Foreign Language Department
Agostina grew up homeschooling with Kolbe and Mother of Divine Grace in San Diego, CA; Houston, TX, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. She earned her degree in Literature and Linguistics at the Catholic University of Argentina, with a concentration in early medieval political theory and literature. She also teaches at two universities in Buenos Aires. When she isn’t reading or studying new languages, you can usually find her exploring the city and trying out new restaurants.
Miss. Clare Kavanaugh, Science Department
Clare Kavanaugh received her BS in Biology from Fontbonne University. She has had several years of experience in tutoring and teaching both math and science including several years at a Catholic, classical school. Having been homeschooled for both middle school and high school, she has a special fondness for and familiarity with the homeschool community. In her free time, she likes to take long walks along the shores of Lake Michigan and appreciate the beauty and goodness of God’s creation.
Mrs. Luann Goodrich, Theology Department
Luann graduated with her Bachelors in Social Science Secondary Education and History from University of South Florida. In 2014, she went on to complete her Masters in Education in Reading K-12 at St. Leo University. For the last 17 years, she has taught a variety of subjects at the Middle and High School level focused mainly on Theology and History. Luann and her husband live near sunny Tampa, FL with their 3 children.
Mrs. Kate Wilson, Theology Department
Kate graduated Aquinas College in Nashville, TN, as a state certified teacher with five years of theological formation from the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. Shortly afterward, she moved to PA, where she earned her Masters degree in Curriculum and expanded her teaching certificate areas to include middle school and high school English, Mathematics, and Science. After five years in the classroom, Kate designed mathematics and theology curriculum in the Catholic Schools Office at the Diocese of Erie before accepting ministry as the director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Erie. Kate loves a good cup of coffee, vestment design, and a tasty trip to her family beehives, but her most significant joy is quality time with Jesus, her husband and her two boys.
Ms. Faith Harrell, Preschool Teacher
Faith Harrell is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and she continues to live there with her family. She is a homeschool graduate and is thrilled to continue to be a part of the homeschool community through Kolbe Academy. Faith felt a call to work with children in high school and began volunteering with her parish’s children’s ministry and other local non-profits. In 2023, she graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Studies. While earning her degree, she worked at a preschool and as a babysitter until she was offered a position combining her love of horses and education as a horseback-riding instructor. Faith has been an avid equestrian since childhood and still competes and coaches when her schedule allows. She can often be found snuggling with her two dogs and two horses. In addition, she is the proud aunt to two adorable nieces and spends as much time with them as she can! Whether teaching in the riding arena or classroom, Faith believes that individualized education is the best approach. She strives to celebrate each child for what makes him or her a unique member of the Body of Christ.
Mrs. Elizabeth Schwartz, 1st Grade Teacher
Elizabeth Schwartz graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida. Much of her teaching career has been teaching first grade in the classroom and virtually. She also has worked with K-8 students as a Reading Resource teacher. She has a passion for helping students build a lifelong learning foundation. Her Catholic faith is of the utmost importance to her, and she is grateful to allow her faith to permeate and inform all her lessons in every subject at Kolbe Academy. Elizabeth lives in southern Maryland with her husband and two children.
Mrs. Jean Quinton, Middle School Math Resource Teacher
Jean is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Zack, and together they are raising their four boys in Texas. She has a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Special Education from Texas A&M University-College Station. Jean has used her degree to teach in the public school classroom, to tutor students of various ages and abilities, and to successfully homeschool her own children. Increasing math confidence in her students and getting them excited about math is a passion of hers. She lives by the motto, “If you think you can, you will!” When she’s not teaching, she enjoys hiking with her family, jogging, and reading.
Mrs. Brianna Claxton, Computer Science
Brianna grew up in northeastern Connecticut and was homeschooled with Kolbe Academy. After graduating from Kolbe, she received her BSE in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Connecticut. She went on to work as a Software Engineer in the financial industry and to obtain her MS in Cybersecurity from Fordham University. In her free time she enjoys travelling as well as any outdoor adventures with her husband and husky dog.
Dr. Maria Parker, Foreign Language Teacher
Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with minors in Latin and History from Mount St. Mary’s University, a Master of Arts in School Counseling from The College of New Jersey, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Neumann University. She has taught Latin and Theology at the elementary and secondary levels. Dr. Parker currently resides in Washington, D.C. and enjoys Philadelphia sports and traveling with her family.
Ms. Kelly Beller, Science Teacher
Kelly Beller is excited to become a member of the Kolbe family this year and share her passion for our faith and science. She has spent the past three years in Catholic school education teaching both middle and high school students in theology, math, and the sciences. She received her BS in Neuroscience and a Graduate Certificate in Molecular and Biomedical Sciences. When she isn’t teaching, she’s spending her time traveling to our nation’s parks or inside working on her puzzles.
Mrs. Jessica Dabelich, 3rd GradeTeacher
Jessica Dabelich earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Education from California State University, East Bay. She holds her multiple subject teaching credential in the state of California. Jessica has been teaching elementary aged children since 2007 in the San Francisco Bay Area. This summer she moved from the SF Bay Area to Idaho, alongside her husband, 4 children, and 3 Australian Shepherds. In her free time Jessica enjoys traveling, baking and participating in church activities with her family. Jessica is excited to join Kolbe Academy, where she can combine her love of teaching with her Catholic faith.
Katie Walters, 5th Grade Teacher
Katie Walters earned her B.S. in Applied Exercise Physiology from Texas A&M University in 2007. After graduating, she moved to Houston, Texas where she worked with companies on creating wellness programs for their employees. She shortly found that education in the Catholic schools was her true passion and earned her teaching certification shortly after having my first child, and I have been teaching for the past 16 years. Katie and her husband reside in Keller, Texas with their 5 children.
Mrs. Reba Lyon, Math Teacher
Reba Lyon graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in honors mathematics and theology. Since then, she has been teaching various levels of math at Catholic, classical schools. Her passion is helping students find the joy and beauty in mathematics by developing problem-solving skills and confidence. She is happily married to another Catholic, classical school teacher. Together, they homeschool their three energetic kids. In her free time, Reba loves solving crossword puzzles, making new soup recipes, and crocheting accessories.
Mrs. Sandra Vance, Elementary Teacher
Sandra Vance graduated from Texas Tech in 2005 with a degree in Electronic Communications. She married her college sweetheart, James, and they are currently raising four children in Texas. She spent several years working with students in the classroom and the community before pursuing her Masters in Teaching from Liberty University. She worked in the public school setting as a third and fourth grade teacher before joining Kolbe.
