Ms. Ale

My preschool experience began with teaching 2 and 3 year olds. I eventually transitioned into the prekindergarten classroom, discovering the genius of the 4 year old mind. Before the transition, however, I was promoted to Director's Assistant. My husband and I enjoy raising our 3 daughters - Milagros, Perla and Narayana - and our four-legged relative, Jubei. 

[email protected]

Mrs. Cherie                       Ms. Leslie 

My name is Cherie Parker, and I am the TK teacher. I’ve been a part of the St. Felicitas faculty and staff since 2004. Overall I have 19 years of teaching experience.  I received my Early Childhood Education at Chabot College. I am honored to have the opportunity to get to know your children, and get them ready to begin their journey as a student. I believe in nurturing the whole child, while also implementing faith through my entire curriculum.        

  [email protected]

 Ms. McGrady                     Mrs. Kristin
I’m Mary McGrady from Ireland and I’m so excited about working with all the children, staff and parents at St Felicitas. I hope to embrace your culture and traditions here in the US and look forward to sharing some Irish warmth and typical customs with the children at St Felicitas. I have been a qualified teacher for 21 years. I previously worked in a Catholic school in Ireland for the last 16 years, teaching 8-10 year old students. My teaching philosophy is inspired by Benjamin Franklin: ‘Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.’ Interesting facts about myself: I love to travel the world and embrace all cultures (and exercise as I do so!) My favorite highlights have been: trekking the Jordan desert and staying with Bedouin tribes, skydiving in New Zealand, cycling the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, climbing the highest mountain peak in SE Asia and learning Muay Thai in Thailand. I have also lived and worked as a teacher in Peru and learned some Spanish as I traveled all over South America. I’m grateful to get this opportunity to teach and inspire all the inquisitive little minds in kindergarten at St Felicitas. It’s a special year for them, and a new beginning for us all. Thank you for entrusting your child into my care. I will teach and look after them with the utmost care and dedication. Go raibh maith agat agus slán go fóill (Irish for thanks and see you soon!)

[email protected]

Ms. McGrady's Kindergarten Website

Mrs. Gonzalez                    Mrs. Abril
My name is Anina Olivier-Gonzalez and I am the first grade teacher here at Saint Felicitas Catholic School. I am so grateful and humbled to be apart of the Saint Felicitas community, and I thank God for leading me here! I have always aspired to be an educator since I was a little girl.  I come from a two-parent household in which both of my parents have taught for thirty plus years. Needless to say being apart of this line of work, is deeply imbedded in my bloodline.

To have the opportunity to be apart of my student’s lives has been such an amazing experience. I have quite an extensive background working with young people. I maintained a position as a head teacher at a private learning center, lead an after school program at an elementary school in the Oakland hills, as well as interned at a local Catholic high school in Berkeley, CA. I always felt drawn to the lower school grade levels and made it a goal to achieve a position as a second grade teacher. 

Our goal at Saint Felicitas is to educate our students as well as grow and expand their relationships with Christ. In doing so we will uphold common core curriculum to ensure our children are fluent, critical thinkers, work collaboratively with others, and continue to preserver and push through all obstacles. With the help of the parents, family, and friends of the students, anything and everything is possible.

God bless you all and thank you for the continued support. Remember 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Do everything in love.”

[email protected]

Mrs. Martinez                  Mrs. Connell
My name is Leica Ann Odulio-Martinez and I am extremely happy to be the school's second grade teacher. I have a bachelor's degree in Education and Master’s degree in Educational Administration. Before moving to the U.S., I taught in various International Schools in New Zealand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. There are many things to love about teaching, but the most fulfilling is seeing a child develop new skills and abilities from my class. The idea that I have a hand in contributing to a child’s growth as an individual gives me immense pride for my profession. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that teachers also get to go on school breaks from time to time. This has allowed me to fulfill my other passion, traveling and appreciating different cultures around the world.

My Catholic education made a great impact on who I am as a teacher and as a person. I know each of my students is a unique individual that has God-given talents to help them succeed in life. Therefore, I hope and expect for my students to do their best in everything. It’s my goal to help my students develop a high regard for excellence, self-discipline, and hard work. I also hope to help mold emotionally strong individuals grounded with humility and empathy. With the faculty’s efforts, along with the help and support of the students’ parents, we can help each child foster the light within them! Luceat lux! Let your light shine!

[email protected]

Mrs. Juarez                     Mrs. Tingin               
My name is Rhea Juarez, and I’m so excited to begin the school year with you!  Together we will embark on an adventure filled with many exciting new challenges, lots of learning, fun, and growth.   

A little bit about me:  My journey as an educator began when I taught in a Montessori preschool, where I discovered my passion for teaching and being a part of a child’s learning.  I have been teaching for over seven years since, and I have been blessed with the opportunity to have worked with multiple age levels and in diverse educational settings.  For more than five years, I was the Kindergarten Head Teacher at a Montessori school. I have also taught at a Montessori charter school from 1st through 5th grade in Hayward.  

I love traveling and learning about other cultures and languages. I speak Spanish and Tagalog, and I would someday like to learn Italian and Mandarin!  I am passionate about reading and literature, which is something that I would love to pass on to my students.As students begin their 3rd year, there will be no doubt many new challenges and newfound learning opportunities.  My ultimate goal for my students is to instill an understanding and appreciation of a growth mindset. In all curriculum areas, whether it’s Language Arts, Math, Religion, Science, Art— there will be a breadth of new knowledge and skill set to be gained; but ultimately, the path to mastery of any skill is dedication and learning from one’s mistakes.  

Please feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns.
I look forward to a wonderful school year with all of you!

[email protected]

Mrs. Juarez's Third Grade Website

Ms. Real                             Mrs. Jacala
Hello! I am Ms. Real, I am very excited to be teaching fourth grade! In 2013 I graduated from Holy Names University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in History.  In 2015 I received my Preliminary Multiple Subject teaching credential also from Holy Names University.  During my program I received thorough training in the Common Core State Standards.  I strive to create fun and interactive lessons for students so that they will develop a love for learning.  In my spare time I enjoy cooking, baking, traveling and playing tennis.

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Ms. Real's Fourth Grade Website

Mrs. Symonds                  Mrs. Dionisio
It is with great excitement that I introduce myself to the St. Felicitas School Community for the second time around. My name is Jane Symonds and I am married with two wonderful children. I enjoy hiking, traveling, and working in my garden. I live in Fremont, and I am an active parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. I have been employed with the Oakland Diocese for 20 years now. I have taught at Our Lady of Guadalupe School, St. Felicitas Catholic School, Holy Spirit Catholic School, and St. Isidore Catholic School. Aside from having the opportunity to teach at different grade levels and subjects, I have also been part of principal leadership teams/vice principal in the past. This year, I look forward to teaching 5th grade especially as they continue to grow in their faith. I feel blessed to be welcomed back and I can’t wait to meet you all. 

[email protected]

Mrs. Symonds' Website

Mr. Mendiola - Social Studies & Religion, 6th Grade Homeroom
My name is Jean-Thierry Mendiola. I have been teaching at St. Felicitas since 2013. I have a degree in Religious Studies from UC Berkeley and a multiple subject credential from San Francisco State University. I also have my Catechist Certification, and teaching the Catholic faith is one of my greatest passions.

I am also very excited about teaching history. Reading is my biggest hobby, and I love to read books about ancient history, theology and philosophy. I am very excited to be teaching middle school because I believe that these are the years when children begin to develop a passion for reading history, as well as consolidating their faith. I enliven my history and religion lessons with the dramatic stories about the past that I have learned through my personal reading of the classics and the early church fathers. I own a large library and I love to bring in my books to share with the students.

I am also a former music and drama teacher and I love playing classical piano, cello, drums, and guitar. My other hobbies include singing, running, politics and kickboxing (Krav-Maga). I live in Oakland and attend the Cathedral of Christ the Light by Lake Merritt. 
[email protected]
Mr. Mendiola's Website

Ms. Stern - Science & Literature, Seventh Grade Homeroom
My name is Beth Stern and I am a San Lorenzo and San Leandro native. I graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Creative Writing. I have over a decade's worth of experience teaching, directing, and developing curriculum for many different camps and after school programs, as well as for a special needs school in Oakland. This will be my 5th year teaching in the St. Felicitas community, and I look forward to creating a classroom where everyone comes excited to learn- not just about their studies- but about themselves, others, and God. In my spare time, I love to read, play the ukulele, spend time outdoors, and think about the mysteries of the ocean.
[email protected]
Ms. Stern's Website

Ms. Hennigh - English & Math, 8th Grade Homeroom
My name is Kathy Hennigh and I am very excited to be the 8th grade Homeroom Teacher, Middle School English Teacher, and the 6th and 7th grade Math teacher. I have a B.A. from UCSB and graduated from UC Berkeley with a Masters Degree in Education, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Reading Specialist Credential. For nine years I taught at St. Anthony School in Oakland as a Middle School teacher and later a Reading Specialist helping students with reading and writing skills. In 2006 I taught 5th grade for six years at St. Philip Neri in Alameda where my three children went to school. My children all attended and graduated from St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda. I truly believe in Catholic education and know first hand how Catholic schools have positively impacted my own children, shaping them into well rounded individuals with core values and beliefs. I feel so blessed to be at a school where we can come together rooted in God's love and grow and learn in a Christ-centered environment. I am originally from Los Angeles but have lived in the Bay Area for 30 years. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, baking, going to the beach, museums and sporting events. I love where we live and am so blessed to be working with the Middle School students at St. Felicitas School!
[email protected]
Ms. Hennigh's Website

Sr. Faustina -                   Ms. Plankenhorn -
8th Grade Alegbra        Social Emotional Learning 
[email protected]            [email protected]
  

Ms. King

Hello all, my name is Jen King, and I am the P.E. teacher here at St. Felicitas. I teach grades K-8th and have been a teacher at St. Felicitas since 2007. I run intramural tournaments throughout the year, have a Jr. Coaches program, and am lead of the safety committee. In my spare time I love to go outside and play sports, hike, and just enjoy nature. I adore working with children and love the connections I make with them through their time here at St. Felicitas.
[email protected]

Mr. Rathje








 

Choir Rehearsal: Every Thursday  3:15 - 4:15pm 

Grades 2-8

If interested in joining the choir, please complete a choir permission slip and return to Mr. Rathje before the student's first choir practice.

Greetings St. Felicitas Students and Families,

I am so excited to begin this new year with the return of the St. Felicitas Student Choir. It has felt like a long time since we have all sung together in the church during mass, and I am very much looking forward to all of us joining our voices together in the praise and worship of God. Due to the current status of Covid, all members in the choir must adhere to the following guidelines​​:

• Students must maintain a gap between one another while standing or sitting in the pews. 
• Students must attend both rehearsal and mass in order to receive service hours. Service hours will be distributed at the end of each Sunday school mass. 
• No food or drinks are to be consumed during rehearsal or mass. 
• Phones are prohibited during rehearsal and performance. 

Please make sure that students are of proper health when attending rehearsal or mass. While covid documentation is not required for attending rehearsals, if students are sick they do not attend rehearsal or mass. 

Looking forward to raising our voices in song in celebration of a new and hopeful year. 

Blessings,

Mr. Rathje
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Sr. Faustina,                    Mrs. Cronin,
Principal                          Vice Principal
[email protected]            [email protected]










Mrs. Zipp,                         Mrs. Luna                       Ms. Williams
Office Manager              Office Assitant              Technology Coordinator
[email protected]                [email protected]             [email protected]