Meet the Staff

PASTOR

Fr. Shane McKee, Parish Administrator

FACULTY AND STAFF

Ms. Denise Gonzalez, Principal

 

Ms. Gonzalez was born in Portland, Oregon, and earned degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Nova University, Miami, Florida, where she taught for six years.  She earned a Master of Education Degree with a Reading Endorsement for elementary and middle school from George Fox University.  In 2016 she earned an Administration Endorsement from University of Portland.  Ms. Gonzalez taught at St. Ignatius Catholic School for two years and at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School (OLL) for 22 years, including five years as vice principal.  Ms. Gonzalez has taught early childhood, first, fourth, sixth, seventh grade, and worked as a reading specialist. She has served as a member of four OLL Re-accrediting Committees, while co-chairing their last accreditation.  Additionally, she has been a member on two accrediting teams at other Catholic schools. In 2017, Ms. Gonzalez won the SASEE (Service Above Self: Educational Excellence) award, which is awarded by the Lake Oswego Rotary Club.  Ms. Gonzalez loves the outdoors, sports, family time, and encouraging children to become the best that they can be.




 

Mrs. Gretchen Brown, Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Brown has worked for St. Francis Catholic School since before it opened in 2004. She previously had been the librarian and computer teacher at St. Paul Parochial School and filled in for temporarily as their Secretary. She and her husband David have been members of St. Francis Parish since the 1970’s.



Ms. Josanne Skipper, PreK Head Teacher

Ms. Skipper always knew she wanted to work with children.  In college, she entered the nursing program, but soon felt God calling her to teaching.  She entered the education program and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Franciscan University.  She obtained her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Reading from the University of Phoenix.  Her first teaching position was as a first and second grade teacher at St. Joseph Academy in San Marcos, CA.  After five years of teaching, she moved back to Oregon to be closer to family. She has taught first grade at St. Francis Catholic School for 12 years and is commencing the Pre-K program.  Outside of teaching, Ms. Skipper, loves to read and dedicates herself to the life-long process of learning and self-improvement.


Mrs. Cordell, PreK Assistant


Mrs. Cordell comes to St. Francis Catholic School with a wealth of experience and expertise. A native Oregonian, she grew up in the Donald/Aurora area and attended La Salle High School. She obtained her Bachelor's degree from Southern Oregon University and her Masters in special education from Portland State University. She taught for seven years in the Gresham-Barlow school district in a K-5 self-contained special education classroom. Mrs. Cordell is a parishioner and parent of three children that attend St. Francis Catholic School. 
 

Ms. Kathy Hilburger, Kindergarten/First Grade Blend Teacher

Ms. Hilburger was born in Denver, Colorado.  Her parents moved to Portland when she was a baby and she has been her since.  Ms. Hilburger attended St. Rose Catholic School in Portland for first – eighth grade and graduated from La Salle Catholic High School.  She received her degree in accounting from Portland State University and worked in the account field for seven years. Wanting a change, Ms. Hilburger went back to school to acquire her Master’s of Arts in Teaching from the University of Portland.  Ms. Hilburger has been with St. Francis Catholic School since 2007.  She enjoys her cats, gardening, and watching NFL football – especially the Broncos – Go Broncos!
 

Mrs. Kristen Huber, Second Grade Teacher

Mrs. Huber was born and grew up in the Portland area.  She attended Holy Trinity Catholic School, St Mary of the Valley High School, and Gonzaga University.  Mrs. Huber received her degree in Special Education with endorsements in reading, psychology, and early childhood education from Gonzaga.  After college, Mrs. Huber taught third grade for six years and first grade for seven years at St. Mary of the Valley Elementary School in Beaverton.  Mrs. Huber stayed home to raise her three children for 11 years and returned to the classroom during the fall of 2018 as a substitute teacher.  She is very happy to be teaching second grade at St. Francis Catholic School and to a part of a wonderful school and parish community. 
 

Mrs. Camille Warren, Third Grade Teacher

This will be Mrs. Warren’s second year teaching at St. Francis Catholic School.  She loves teaching third grade and has a passion for education with a strong background in literacy and technology.  Mrs. Warren is originally from Spokane, Washington, and before moving to Oregon, with her husband, was a Reading Specialist at Cataldo Catholic School.  She studied Spanish and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at Western Washington University and then received her Master’s in Elementary Education from Eastern Washington University.  Mrs. Warren and her husband were blessed this past year with a beautiful baby girl, Emma Rose, and they look forward to continuing to exploring their new home in Oregon as a family.


Mrs. Tiffany Carsner, Fourth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Carsner was born in Portland, OR. She graduated from Portland State University with Bachelor Degrees in both Advertising Management and Marketing. After countless hours volunteering in her children’s classrooms, she realized it was where she belonged. She went on to earn her Master’s of Arts  in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. She has spent the last five years teaching in both parochial and public schools. When the opportunity arose to return to the private school setting, Mrs. Carsner knew that’s just where God wanted her. Mrs. Carsner has a passion for teaching all learning types and has a high interest in hands on, tech-savvy learning. She strives to make sure all her students know they are capable of all things, as long as they believe in themselves. 

Mr. Bill Pinkstaff, Fifth Grade Teacher

Mr. Pinkstaff grew up in Eugene, Oregon. He graduated from South Eugene High School and attended Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics-Accounting. Later, he earned his teaching degree in Elementary Education from the University of Oregon.  Mr. Pinkstaff taught for over 20 years in the Bethel School District in Eugene and taught for five years in the Estacada School District in Oregon.  Mr. Pinkstaff retired from teaching, later to find himself as a long-term substitute at St. Mary’s Cathedral School and at Sacajawea Elementary School in Vancouver, Washington. Mr. Pinkstaff has four children: three daughters and one son, ages 35-13. Mr. Pinkstaff’s hobbies include reading, nearly all sports, and spending time with family and friends.
 

Ms. Joelle Gelao, Sixth Grade Homeroom Teacher
Middle School Social Studies and Religion

Ms. Gelao was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. She attended Catholic schools, K-12, before earning a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at Minnesota State University.  She attributes her Catholic identity and love for learning to her Catholic education.  “My teachers instilled in me the unswerving belief in God’s love for us, and I hope to impart that same certainty to the children I serve her at St Francis Catholic School,” she asserts. Ms. Gelao’s goal for students is to facilitate their academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development, and to help each child reach their highest potential. Previous to teaching, Ms. Gelao worked as a psychiatric social worker for several years in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  After moving to Portland, she earned a Masters of Arts degree in teaching, from Concordia University.  She has taught in the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, for 16 years. Ms. Gelao has one son, who is in his third year at Gonzaga University.  She enjoys reading, traveling, white water rafting, and crafting


Mrs. Vicky Smith, Seventh Grade Homeroom Teacher
Middle School Math and Science

Mrs. Smith grew up in a variety of places including Europe, California, and North Dakota.  After high school she earned degrees in Biology, Psychology, and Education from both the University of North Dakota in conjunction with Oregon State University.  She taught at St. Anthony Catholic School in Tigard for 23 years and has been teaching at St. Francis Catholic School since its inception.  Additionally, Mrs. Smith has been involved with the Archdiocesan of Portland, Oregon, mathematics and science curriculum throughout her career.  Mrs. Smith enjoys camping, gardening, and nature photography along with her wonderful family.
 

Mrs. Laura Larsen, Eighth Grade Homeroom Teacher
Middle School English and Technology Coordinator 

Mrs. Larsen has taught in Catholic schools for over 15 years at different grade levels.  She is a product of Catholic education and loves teaching in Catholic schools.  Mrs. Larsen feels it is a blessing to be able to share her faith and teach children about God’s daily presence in their lives.  She earned her teaching degree at Western Oregon State College.  She has two sons who are graduates of St. Francis Catholic School.  Mrs. Larsen and her husband love spending time with family and friends.
 

SPECIALISTS

Mrs. Sally Green, Art and Physical Education

Mrs. Green has been teaching Art at St. Francis Catholic School since 2005, and Physical Education since 2014.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Montana State University with teaching certifications in Art and Physical Education.  She is a native of Ohio, however, has lived in Oregon most of her life.

 

Ms. Melinda Beyers, Music

Ms. Beyers grew up in The Dalles, Oregon, with two younger brothers, a father who worked on most of the dams in the Columbia Basin, and a mother who sang in or directed the church children’s and adults’ choirs.  After attaining her Bachelor of Arts degree n Elementary Education with a Music Minor at Western Oregon University, Ms. Beyers married and spent the next eight years teaching preschool and substituting in Orange County, California, and in Okinawa, Japan, as her husband’s career in the USMC took the family to Florida, Mississippi, and North Carolina.  In 1984 the family returned to Oregon.  Ms. Beyers has taught general music in Oregon City and founded the Oregon City Children’s Choir.  Additionally, she is the Music Director at Tualatin United Methodist Church, and the Artistic Director for Encore Women’s Vocal Ensemble.  Before coming to St. Francis Catholic School, Ms. Beyers taught at Oregon Episcopal School, and for the LINK-UP homeschool Program in Oregon City.  Currently, she teaches voice, beginning piano lessons, directs the Music Makers Community Choir, and squeezes in as much time as possible with her four grandchildren.