Faculty Old

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

Sarah Goehring

Multi-Subject/2nd

College & Major	Ashford/Simpson - BA of Ed
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	The small community and accountability demonstrated with many families, which in turn supports the academic and behavioral development of students.
Favorite Vacation Spot	Any mountain, near any lake.
Who is in your Family	Husband, 2 Children
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Hope Maketh Not Ashamed Romans 5:5

Madison Styers

Third Grade

College & Major	Sacramento State BA in Liberal Studies
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	My favorite part about SJS is the sense of community. Everyone is always so willing to help one another out; it's so amazing to see all of the generosity and kindness.
Favorite Vacation Spot	Hawaii
Who is in your Family	My husband and our rescue dog, Rori
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Courtesy is one of the most important virtues because without it, one lacks manners, respect, and kindness. All of these traits are important to have, especially in today's world.

LeeAnne Hall

Fourth Grade

College & Major	California State University, Long Beach -Bachelor of Arts-Liberal Studies
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	The community that comes together to celebrate, mourn, cheer and lift each other up daily.
Favorite Vacation Spot	My favorite vacation spot is Jamaica or Ireland. Depends on why I am traveling.
Who is in your Family	My husband, daughter, future child, and one cat
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Give thanks to the Lord, for he is Good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

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

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

Tayler Polk

Middle School Science

College & Major	Simpson University, Biology
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	My favorite part of SJS is the feeling of community!
Favorite Vacation Spot	Anywhere with horses or Dirtbikes and no cell service!
Who is in your Family
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	"“Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. You know that you will receive an inheritance as a reward.You serve the Lord Christ.” The Good News: No matter what you do, you are using the gifts that the Lord gave you. Colossians 3:23-24. I think that this verse has helped me to stay focused in the midst of the hardest parts of Life, and to remind me that as long as I have put forth my best, I am honoring God. "

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

Jessica Damalerio

Music Teacher

College & Major	San Francisco State University, B.S. in Business: Hospitality & Tourism Management
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	I attended St. Joseph School when it had a preschool and continued until I graduated 8th grade in 2014. As an alumni, I love talking to my students about my memories at SJS. The school has changed so much since I was a student. It's fantastic to see how much it has progressed and keeps progressing.
Favorite Vacation Spot	San Francisco! Every day, there is always a place to dance. On Sundays I love doing free swing dancing with the Lindy in the Park group at the Golden Gate Park.
Who is in your Family	I have one younger sister, Jasmine, who also attended and graduated from St. Joseph School in 2021.
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	Kindness. Spread it like confetti!

Rorry Cowdin

Music Teacher

College & Major	UC Berkeley
Favorite Part of Saint Joseph School	My favorite part of SJS is actually being able to connect with students who are happy to learn and participate in the subjects I am passionate about. The students never cease to surprise you!
Favorite Vacation Spot	I love nature! I love hiking in the mountains and camping. Although, a nice day at the beach and swimming in the ocean is also great!
Who is in your Family	I am 23 years old. I am the seventh and final child of my family. I have three sisters and three brothers all of varying ages. I am unmarried and have no children currently, but certainly plan to in the future!
Most Impactful Bible Verse or Virtue	1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

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