SJB Teachers

Administration

Mr. Owens has been the principal at SJB since the 2007-2008 school year.

I began my career in education as an English teacher and then became an assistant principal in the Indian Hill and Mt.Healthy school districts.I later became principal and Director of Educational Programs in the Mount Healthy district.In 2004 I became principal of Holy Trinity School in Norwood, Ohio, and now I feel honored to become principal at St. John the Baptist School.  My interests include being with my family, photography, traveling, playing golf, reading and taking part in just about any outdoor activity.I believe that everyone has unique gifts and talents and should share them with the people around them to enrich their lives.

Education is a wonderful profession because you get to see people grow and learn.In my years as an educator I feel that I have been able to make contributions to the lives of many people, and I have certainly benefited from knowing the students, parents and professionals I have met through the years.St. John?s is a special place to me because we are blessed with a strong, faith-based community and a wonderful school.  I look forward to the future at St. John?s.
Mrs. Schalk is the school secretary.
Kindergarten
Mrs. Volker has been the kindergarten teacher since the 2007-2008 school year.

Prior to joining SJB, she was a teacher at an elementary school in the Northwest Local School District.

She likes to read, travel, listen to music, shop and spend time with her family.  They enjoy boating during the summer months and relaxing on the beach.  An interesting fact about Mrs. Volker is that she loves to sing and play the piano.

I love teaching young children and seeing the smiling faces on my students in the morning.  I especially love teaching Kindergarten and am very fortunate to work with wonderful teachers at SJB!
Mrs. Moehring is the new kindergarten teacher for the 2009-2010 school year.

She enjoys water sports, reading, yard work, biking, and walking.  She stays busy with her 3 daughters and likes to help her husband coach.

Mrs. Moehring began teaching in 1987 at St. John's as a Reading Teacher.

She is excited to see all the progress her students make from beginning to end.

Teaching is very rewarding!
First Grade
Mrs. Post has been teaching 1st grade at Saint John the Baptist since the 1979-1980 school year.

She enjoys swimming, shopping, and visiting the Smoky Mountains.  Her best hobby is her family!  She and her husband have five children ranging in age from 13 to 26 years old. Needless to say, most of her time "off" has been spent being with them, being a taxi driver, doing projects and being a cheerleader at many sporting events!

An interesting fact about Mrs. Post is one of her first teaching experiences with children was being a swim instructor, lifeguard and pool manager during high school and college.

I love teaching, especially first graders, because it is so easy to "see" them learn and grow.  The progress made during first grade is amazing.  I especially like teaching reading and writing.  I really love giving children the foundation they need to be successful readers and students.
Mrs. Frey has been with Saint John the Baptist for over 20 years. She has taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd , and 4th grades and she has taught in every room in the Geil building, except Mrs. Post's, as well as every room in the 3rd grade hallway.

Her hobbies are playing guitar, dancing, camping, reading, listening to music, and going places with her family.

A very interesting fact about Mrs. Frey is that her uncle John Dalibois is the last living interrogator/prosecutor from the Nuremberg Trials after WWII.

I enjoy working with young children and (hopefully) helping them to grow into responsible young people who model Christ.
Second Grade
Mrs. Bamonte taught 5th grade for one year before moving to be one of the two 2nd grade teachers at Saint John the Baptist.

She likes to bake and take morning walks.

An interesting fact about Mrs. Bamonte is she once taught cake decorating to the SJB kids in an after school program.

I like teaching because of  all the things I learn and all the terrific kids I am with each day.  I also have fun with my teacher buddies.
Mrs. Steelman taught 4th grade at Saint John the Baptist for three years (1979 - 1982), she returned in 1990 and taught one year in 3rd grade. She then moved to 2nd grade and is now in her 19th year.

Her hobbies include reading, taking walks in the parks and traveling. She likes going out for dinner, shopping, and she loves chocolate.

An interesting fact about Mrs. Steelman is that she is now teaching children of her former students.

I am so happy teaching 2nd grade. I know what I share with my students will come back to me  in many wonderful and unexpected ways. I know this because it has already.
Third Grade
This is Mrs. Dean's 10th year at SJB.

She enjoys bowling, scrap booking, walking, skating, singing, reading romance novels, and spending time with her family.

An interesting fact about Mrs. Dean is that she loves Mt. Dew and Heinz Ketchup.

I enjoy teaching because I love to see the children learn new and exciting things.  I love helping children experience success.  I look forward to seeing the students smiling, eager faces. It makes me want to do even more for them!!!
Miss Walter has been with SJB for 19 years.  She began her teaching career at Saint John the Baptist as a substitute teacher for a year and since then has been teaching third grade.

Her hobbies include reading, working/playing with computers, and basketball.  She also really likes ice cream.

An interesting fact about Miss Walter is that she wanted to be a clown.

I enjoy seeing children learn new things for the first time.

Fourth Grade
Mrs. Schwab has been at St. John the Baptist for 11 years.

Her hobbies are sewing, cross-stitching and reading.

When she was younger she was in 4-H for 10 years as a member of the Oxford 4-H livestock club and the Oxford Busy Stitchers.

I enjoy teaching because all of my students are so wonderful.
Mrs. Anneken is the new fourth grade teacher for the 2009-2010 school year.   She began teaching at St. John's during the 2008-2009 school year as a Kindergarten teacher.  She previously taught fourth grade at St. Ursula Villa School for 7 years before having her family.  She is excited to return to teaching fourth grade this year at St. John's.

Mrs. Anneken enjoys spending time with her hsuband and 3 children attending sports events, playing cards, watching movies, and having game night.  She also lieks to be outdoors especially in the spring and summer.  She likes to swim, reide bikes, take walks, go canoeing, and camping.

An interesting fact about Mrs. Anneken is that she has been reappelling off mountains up to 200 feet!

I really enjoy teaching at the fourth grade level, and I love Math and Science!!  I am looking forward to a very exciting year at St. John's.
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Fox is in her 12th year teaching 5th grade at Saint John the Baptist.

She likes to spend time with her family, read and watch movies.  She also likes to take part in various ways to grow in her Catholic faith.

An interesting fact about Mrs. Fox is that she attended SJB from 1st through 8th grade so she knows all of the tricks students try to pull because she tried them herself!

I love teaching because everyday I get to share my knowledge about the subjects I am really interested in, which are Religion, Reading, and Language Arts.  I have the privilege of watching my students learn and succeed.  My students make me laugh everyday and they teach me new things as well.
Mrs. Nash started teaching at Saint John the Baptist in January of 2000 as a long term maternity sub for the fourth grade.  The following years she taught fifth and sixth grade depending on the size of the classes.  For the past 6 years she has been one of the fifth grade teachers.

She enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as walking, gardening, swimming, and reading.

An interesting fact about Mrs. Nash is that everyone in her family has a first name that begins with the letter D including her dog and cat!

I enjoy my job because I get to work with young people everyday.  It is challenging and fun to come up with different ways to teach the concepts we are studying.  I also like getting to know the students and learning from them as well.
Sixth Grade
Mrs. Metzger came to Saint John the Baptist in 1978 and taught 7th and 8th grade (math, science, and social studies) until 1993.  From 1993 to 1997 she taught 5th grade and since 1997 has been teaching 6th grade.

She enjoys gardening, biking, sewing, camping, reading, crafts, and watching hockey.

An interesting fact about Mrs. Metzger is that she rode her bike on the Morning Glory Run (25 miles at 3:00am from Sawyer Point to Mt. Adams to KY and back) once several years ago.  She made it!  However, she had some trouble sitting down for the next week.

I enjoy working with children of all grade levels.  In general children are open to listening to new ideas as well as learning.  They are willing to hear both sides (or more) of people's views, opinions, and concerns.  They have the ability to listen and know when you are just giving information to their question or genuinely able to answer it. Coming from a large family teaching came natural and it gave me the most enjoyment and fulfillment.  Nothing is more rewarding than to see the "light" go on when someone finally understands the material and makes it part of them.
Mr. Schalk teaches 6th grade.
Seventh Grade

Mrs. Wirsch began teaching at Saint John the Baptist in 1986 as a substitute teacher. The next year she became a full time teacher and has taught grades 2, 4, 6, and kindergarten.  She is currently the 7th grade teacher.

She enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, and the arts.  I also like to refinish furniture and travel.  Some of her favorite vacations were to Spain (really old), Alaska (really cold), and Florida (a great place to enjoy the simple things).

I enjoy sharing knowledge with the children.  They also teach me new things about learning and discovery every day. It's fun, and the days go very fast!
Eighth Grade

Miss Bihr has been teaching Junior High at Saint John the Baptist for 33 years.

Her hobbies include listening to music, watching movies, reading, and traveling.

Something interesting about Miss Bihr is she sings in her parish choir and, in March 2006, made a CD with them.

I enjoy teaching because it gives me great joy and satisfaction knowing that I am influencing the future of our country by teaching the students in my class today.
Specials

Mrs. Bingle (formerly Miss Dole) is a 1990 SJB graduate and has been teaching music class at St. John the Baptist since 1999.

She is a member of the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus, and her hobbies include reading, watching TV, and of course listening to all types of music.

Some intersting facts about Mrs. Bingle are that her husband is also a music teacher (Assistant Band Director for Eaton Community School District in Eaton, Ohio),  and their daughter, Cecilia, is named after the patron saint of music.

I love being able to share the gift of music with all my students and expose them to all the performance opportunities out there (Chorus, Broadway Shows, and Band).  It's amazing what children are capable of!  I'm thrilled to be able to provide our students with these experiences and opportunities!!!!
This is Mrs. Ziegler's seventh year at Saint John the Baptist.  Prior to her coming to SJB she taught at Jac-Cen-Del Jr.-Sr. High School, St. Paul in New Alsace, Indiana for 10 years, and St. Margaret Mary in North College Hill for 13 years.

Her hobbies include walking, swimming, count cross-stitch, and reading.  She also enjoys cooking and baking.

An interesting fact about Mrs. Ziegler is that she came from a rather large family.  She has 6 sisters and 2 brothers!

I love teaching because I enjoy seeing the students learn new things and get excited when they succeed.
Mr. Feist has been teaching technology at Saint John's since the 2005-2006 school year. Before teaching at SJB he was the technologist at Batesville Primary school in Batesville, IN.

His hobbies include running, studying Japanese history, cooking, spending time with his wife and two children, and trying to keep up with new technology.

Some interesting facts about Mr. Feist are he was married in June 2006, had his first baby boy in November 2007, had his baby girl in March of 2008, is the oldest of 6 kids (4 brothers and 1 sister), and his first flight on an airplane was for his honeymoon!

I feel that teaching is my calling.  I am very privaliged to be able to teach in a Catholic school where I can share my faith as well as teach children all about different kinds of technology and how to use them responsibly.  My favorite part of teaching is having parents proudly come back and tell me how much fun their children are having and that their children are teaching them at home.
Mrs. Roell is the 5th-8th grade art teacher.

I taught science, religion and art to grades 6-8 for 5 years before I decided to a break from teaching and stay home with my children.  After being a substitute teacher for two years at St. John's, I was hired as the art teacher for the upper grades.

I love teaching because I enjoy helping students to realize all their potential. It is amazing to see the look of joy and pride on a student's face when he accomplishes something he thought was too difficult or when an idea clicks.

An interesting fact about myself is that I travelled around the world in 101 days aboard a ship in college and visited 10 countries. I also have a relative in every grade at St. John's except 1st grade.

Tutors and Therapists
Ms. Koch began teaching  at Saint John the Baptist in February 2006 as a long term substitute teacher for the reading club.  She returned in August 2006 as the permanent part time reading specialist.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as reading - of course!  She also volunteers at her children's school.

An interesting fact is her first interview for a teaching position was at SJB.  It just wasn't meant to be until now.

I enjoy helping students overcome obstacles to learning and achieve their highest potential.
Ms. Knoop has been a speech therapist for nine years and works with kids from kindergarten through eighth grade.  She has been at St. John's since 2007.

Her hobbies include playing/coaching soccer, fantasy football, reading, shopping, and playing with her children.

An interesting fact is that her first baby weighed 12lb 2.6oz!  She also has two sons.

I love working with kids and especially being so close to home.  It has been very rewarding to be able to work within my own parish.
Mrs. Groh began substitute teaching at Saint John's in 2005.  In 2006 she became the Auxiliary Tutor.  She returned in 2007 -- not only as the Auxiliary Tutor, but also as a Junior High faculty member, teaching Math!

She enjoys nature, traveling, reading, music/musical theater, cooking/baking (eating too!), and every aspect of being a mom (especially attending all of her son's sporting events) GO JAGUARS!!!

An interesting fact about Mrs. Groh is that she was very involved in music and musical theater during her high school and college years.

She thoroughly enjoys teaching.  She loves children and feels very fortunate to work with children of many ages (tutoring K-8 and teaching Junior High).  It is a perfect blend!  Everyday is an adventure enriched with laughter, love, and learning.
Mrs. McCormick is the school psychologist. She has worked as  a school psychologist and a drug and alcohol school specialist in Toledo, Ohio.  In Cincinnati, she has been an assistant pre-school teacher and a parish religious education teacher.  She has one wonderful husband, six awesome children, and one yellow Labrador.

Her hobbies include golfing, rehabbing properties with her husband,and spending time with her kids.

An interesting fact about Mrs. McCormick is that it took her family 17 years to convince her to let them get a puppy!

I like being a school psychologist because everyday is different and there are so many ways to be helpful to the school and its students.