Faculty

Mr. Bill Koppes

Principal

bkoppes@saintjosephredding.org

Our principal is an alum of Saint Joseph School who came back home from college to raise a family. Bill Koppes is a father of a three Crusaders, and is deeply dedicated to the SJS community. This year marks the eighth year of his principalship.

His educational background spans private and public education from kindergarten through college. He attended St. Joseph School, Junction Elementary, St. Francis Middle School, and Foothill High School. He graduated from Gonzaga University with honors, earning his Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy with a concentration in Catholic Studies and minors in Political Science, Mathematics and Religious Studies.

Prior to his principalship, he served as public school teacher in general and special education, coached more than thirty middle school athletic teams, and served in the formation of district programs ranging from classroom technology applications to intervention models and school safety. He holds a Single-Subject Social Science Credential, a Multiple-Subject Credential, an Education Specialist Credential (Mild/Moderate), and an Educational Administration Credential with his Masters in Administration.

His service outside education extends to his parish where he has served in numerous roles from youth minister, to Eucharistic Minister, to Pastoral Council Chair, and to his service as a member of the Knights of Columbus. It is no surprise the signatory for all his letters, Serviam, echoes the Latin affirmative for, “I will serve.”

Lindy Mangas

Transitional Kindergarten

College & Major	Early childhood degree, Early childhood teaching credential, Mentor teacher at Shasta College
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	Family oriented atmosphere
Favorite Vacation Spot	Hiking the Trinity Alps
Who is in your Family	Husband, a Deacon at Saint Joseph and alumni of the school, Mike, three adult children and six grandchildren all of whom have attended or are current students of Saint Joseph School
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Kindness, kindness is contageous, what a wonderful tool to teach children

Natasha Ramirez

Kindergarten Teacher

College & Major	San Francisco State University, Early Childhood Development and Minor in Research and Public Policy
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	I love the beautiful friendships that blossom and last a life time
Favorite Vacation Spot	Our family loves vacationing in Lake Tahoe, winter and summer adventures
Who is in your Family	Married for nine years, daughter Hannah would is a first grader and two dogs, Duke and Diesel
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	From a wise mind comes speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." - Proverbs 16:23-24

Judy Schwerdt

First Grade

College & Major	California State University Fresno, BA Physical Education with a minor in Social Sciences
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	The family atmosphere at SJS is contageous, everyone here cares for one another.
Favorite Vacation Spot	Bali is my favorite thus far
Who is in your Family	I have three adult children all teachers. One of them is also a teacher at SJS, Mr. Schwerdt. I have four grandchildren. My husband, Tom, is also a retired teacher.
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	My favorite virtue is responsibility. We have to take responsibility for our actions, learn and grow, accept our failures and success.

Michelle Mansfield

Second Grade

College & Major	California State University, Chico Liberal Studies and Teaching Credential from Simpson University
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	I love that I attended SJS and that all three of my children have also, with my oldest graduating this year
Favorite Vacation Spot	Our family loves to vacation on Maui
Who is in your Family	Husband, Josh (Ryan O'Brian) and three children, Alex, Jacob and Izzy.
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Affability can have impact on a daily basis, smiling at someone can brighten somone's day showing them you see them and you care.

Erin Shea

Third Grade

College & Major	California State University, Chico Credential from Simpson University
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	I love that I can teach the whole child and help each child grow in faith
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6

Stephanie LaBlanc

Fourth grade

College & Major	Chico State University BA Liberal Studies and Minor in Environmental Science, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	The community and family feeling at our school is my favorite and that I am teaching the "whole child" in my class and not strictly academics
Favorite Vacation Spot	Warm and beachy
Who is in your Family	Husband Matt and two Saint Joseph School students, Melanie and Nathan
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Everyone goes through things and the blind faith in God is what is going to pull you throught. It is important to remember there is always a higher power. I walk by faith even when I cannot see - 2 Corinthians 5:7

Mrs. Claudine Palmer

Middle School, Religious Education Director, Confirmation Coordinator

College & Major	University of Dayton, Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies/ Campus Ministry Credential from Simpson University
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	Our school strives to form the whole person of each student, spiritually, intellectually, physically; and help them grow into the person God has called them to be
Favorite Vacation Spot	Patrick's Point
Who is in your Family	Married and have four children, three have graduated from SJS and one is currently a second grader
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	I am the voice of one crying out in the dessert, make straight the Lord - John 1:23

Josh Schwerdt

Middle School

College & Major	Sonoma State University, History Major
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	The family atmosphere of SJS is my favorite. My kids attend SJS, my mom is also a teacher and my dad was the principal for 35 years.
Favorite Vacation Spot	So many! Park City, Utah and any zoo, Disneyland, Europe, Seattle (Seahawks games) and Philadelphia (Phillies games) if we had to pick a few
Who is in your Family	Wife Tara, two boys in first grade and TK at Saint Joseph School
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Sweep the Sheds - Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done

Mrs. Carol Koppes

Junior High

College & Major	University of Kansas BSE, Laverne University MA Credential, Chico State University Administrative Credential, National Board Certified Middle School LA
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	I love the inquisitive nature of the students of SJS, they want to learn, they are respectful students and, the importance of their Catholic faith which lends to discussions around vitures and ethics.
Favorite Vacation Spot	Anna Maria Island in Florida and Disneyland
Who is in your Family	Married for 45 years to husband, Tom. Two adult children both alumni of SJS, and five grandchildren who are all current SJS students.
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Psalm 23 continues to have a huge impact on my life

Ms. Julie Feser

Junior High

College & Major	Chico State University, BA in Liberal Studies with a supplement in ELA and Multi-Subject Credential from Simpson University
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	Hands down, the close knit community, I love to teach and spend time with my students and co-workers in an enviornment where we all work hard and laugh a lot.
Favorite Vacation Spot	Anywhere with my huge family; lakeside, riverside or oceanside
Who is in your Family	Two kids, Nick and Annie, two sisters, two brothers, in-laws, 10 nieces and nephews, two great-nieces and Dani the dog and Ella the cat
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Trustworthiness as it is the base of all things good and only good can come from it

Elizabeth McClellan

Art Teacher

College & Major	BFA UC Davis
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	Walking around campus and remembering myself as a kid in the same location
Favorite Vacation Spot	I love vacationing on the coast, East or West
Who is in your Family	I am one of five McClellan sisters, our family is full of children, grandchildren and furry children
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:70 ASV

Leanne Hall

Music and Technology

College & Major	Orange Coast College and California State University Long Beach Multiple Subject
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	The community and love that is showns by everyone, staff students and parents
Favorite Vacation Spot	Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm or Ohio to visit family
Who is in your Family	Married to husband Garrett, daughter Breanna and two lazy cats
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord you God, is with you where you go. - Joshua 1:9

Mrs. Christelle Bellingan

bookkeeper

College & Major	University of South Africa, Bcomm Degree
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	School community helped make our family feel "at home" when we moved here 12 years ago
Favorite Vacation Spot	Anywhere on the coast
Who is in your Family	Two boys, Adam and Sam, who both attened Saint Joseph School are now in college and my husband John

Mrs. Terri Misslin

Office Manager

College & Major	Arizona State University, BA Special Education and Elementary Education, Minor in Art
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	The Saint Jospeh Family makes my heart happy!
Favorite Vacation Spot	Anywhere with children
Who is in your Family	Husband and four children who all attended Saint Joseph and two grandchildren
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless - Mother Teresa