Faculty

Bill Koppes

NVCA President & Advancement Director

bkoppes@saintjosephredding.org

Advancement Director and President of Northern Valley Catholic Academies, Mr. Koppes is an alum of Saint Joseph School. He is a father of three Crusaders, and is deeply dedicated to the SJS community. He served as our principal for eight years, and this year marks the first year of his new role in advancement for many of the schools in the northern cluster of the diocese.

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, parish finance council, 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.”

Josh Schwerdt

Principal

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

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

LeeAnne Hall

Fourth Grade

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

Claudine Palmer

Junior High

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

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

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